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Original poster

Do I need to book two plane seats?!

135 replies

allthelonelyppl · 05/08/2026 16:57

I’m flying for the first time this summer. I’m a UK size 18. I’ve just had the horrible thought that I might have needed to buy two seats?! Do I?! Flying easyJet and Ryanair.

If I do, do I just ring them and ask?!

OP posts:
Credittocress · 06/08/2026 19:13

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Gengha · 06/08/2026 19:02

a size 18? No. But I would see if you can get an aisle seat.

redsunsets · 06/08/2026 19:01

Yes if you think you will spill over into your neighbors seat.

DoloresDelEriba · 06/08/2026 18:55

I feel feeding six people for a week with one chicken will be popping up soon…

KentnotClarke · 06/08/2026 18:52

Op keep it simple as pp said , measure your rear and look at seat width.
As pp said as long as your not in someone else's space fine .

DoloresDelEriba · 06/08/2026 18:50

HollyMcDolly · 05/08/2026 17:53

Only if you think you’ll need an extra seat obviously, are you that big you might encroach on a normal persons space?

Normal? Really.
You sound charming.

TheStepboardisfullofbitteroddos · 06/08/2026 18:49

DoloresDelEriba · 06/08/2026 18:48

Don’t be ridiculous. 18 is pretty average these days.

Show quote history

Average just means there are a lot of people that size not that they fit the seats!

TheStepboardisfullofbitteroddos · 06/08/2026 18:48

Surely height matters?

A 6ft woman at a size 18 would be slimmer in the hips than someone like me at 5ft. If I were a size 18 I think I'd definitely need the extra seat as all my weight is carried around bum/ hips/ tum.

DoloresDelEriba · 06/08/2026 18:48

ThisOliveKoala · 05/08/2026 17:03

I would book two seats , you may be fine but will your neighbour be? I’ve been sat next to someone of a larger build and they did come onto my space. It couldn’t be helped, surface area is surface area, but it was very uncomfortable for me, and I’m sure for them too.

Don’t be ridiculous. 18 is pretty average these days.

mumonthehill · 06/08/2026 18:48

You will be absolutely fine and when you check in you will see people of all sizes. I am tall and a 18 and done 3 easyJet flights this year and been fine. I did have middle of the plane extra leg room seats on one flight and they were great. Beware of row 1 ones though as the seats have solid sides and fold out trays from the side and are more tight. Enjoy your flight.

autumn1610 · 06/08/2026 18:47

You won’t need two but you might feel comfier on an aisle seat as you aren’t as squished in. That’s my personal preference when flying. But I hate the feeling of being trapped in the window or middle

KindlySurfiingPlatypus · 06/08/2026 18:45

You'll be fine. I flew Ryanair without any adaptations at size 22. At size 24 I think you'd need a seatbelt extender but would still fit in the seat. You'd have to be significantly bigger to start needing two seats. You'll be totally ok at size 18.

number1of7 · 06/08/2026 18:43

When I was a size 18 I was very glad I was sitting next to my child as I was deffo spilling over. I carry my weight in my bum and legs though so will depend i guess.

WonderfulSmith · 06/08/2026 18:40

One thing worth knowing is that the belts are not all a standard length. If the end of the belt becomes frayed they will cut the end off thereby making it shorter. So the same person might need an extender in one seat but not in another.

YorksMa · 05/08/2026 20:37

You definitely don't need two seats. Half the people on the plane will be bigger than you.

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePleaseBarista · 05/08/2026 19:50

I was a size 18/20 for many years and never once needed so much as a seatbelt extender let alone a second seat.

Nothing wrong with a window seat either unless you plan on being up and down to the loo every half hour but that’s annoying as hell regardless of weight/height/hair colour etc 🤣

Chefpig · 05/08/2026 19:42

CardboardBoxesLily · 05/08/2026 19:39

This post is ignorant and offensive. I’m a size 10.

What?

CardboardBoxesLily · 05/08/2026 19:39

This post is ignorant and offensive. I’m a size 10.

Loulou4022 · 05/08/2026 19:33

I’m a 22 and bottom heavy and hipsy and flew Ryanair last summer and was fine.

GreenFootstool · 05/08/2026 19:26

With respect OP, piss off.

I flew at a size 24-26 and didn't even need a seat belt extender.

You'll be fine. The 18" is a fairly standard seat size. Measure the width of a pub or dining chair. You'll see.

PurpleCoo · 05/08/2026 19:19

Oh bless you, how considerate.

At a UK size 18 you will be absolutely fine. I used to a be a 16 and always had plenty of space.

I can't stand it when people spill into my space and do believe people who spill into the space of others should buy two seats, but this is not you!!

Good on you for checking it out though, I wish more people were as considerate

LivingTheDreamish · 05/08/2026 19:15

I flew recently on an airline with 17-17.5” seats. I just measured my thigh spread on my office chair and it’s about 18” but I didn’t spill over my airplane seat. I think they are more bucket shaped so contain you better. I was aware of this as a very large lady sat next to me in the middle seat on one portion of the flight but I still fit even with her body taking up a couple of inches of my space. It wasn’t nice but I wasn’t the problem and I don’t think you will be either. Please try not to worry!

ExpressCheckout · 05/08/2026 19:13

Perhaps the question ought to be, "For the sake of the passengers next to me, should I consider buying an extra seat?". As other posters have noted, it does depend on your shape rather than your weight. If you are going to be flowing over into the next seat, including your boobs/shoulders, then yes.

Nobody can give you an answer on weight alone. What I can say is that I've been sat near to some almost-average sized people, and they've made my life miserable for a few hours for a range of reasons, not their weight, e.g. spreading legs, reclining the seat in front of me, etc. These are far worse flying sins!

Overthebow · 05/08/2026 19:12

As long as you can fit into the seat and not take up the person next to you rim then you’ll be fine. I’d expect at size 18 you won’t have a problem. I’m a size 16 and have plenty of room and seat belt fits with room to spare, so only 1 size up will be fine.

latetothefisting · 05/08/2026 19:05

allthelonelyppl · 05/08/2026 17:19

I’ve also booked a window seat which now seems like a stupid idea

you can change your seat. It's easier if you haven't checked in yet, slightly more of a faff if you have but still do-able. I'd definitely change to an aisle one.