Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Boreded · 05/08/2026 17:25

allthelonelyppl · 05/08/2026 17:21

No, I don’t. I’ve never flown before and I’m sure it would be uncomfortable if I was too big

Show quote history

oh well rest assured, you most definitely do not need two seats. You also will not need a belt extender or anything else that you might be worrying about.

you’ll be fine in the window seat, and there are arm rests between the seats so even if you were a bit jiggly that would keep you tucked in and not touching your neighbour.

try to relax - it will be fine

EmpressStorm · 05/08/2026 17:25

No one a size 18 needs 2 seats. I got up to a 18, fly regularly , never had an issue or had an extender. Many men are bigger than this,

Dahliasrule · 05/08/2026 17:24

I have to admit I am a larger lady at size 22. I have not had a problem with Jet 2 which we usually holiday with. I am not aware of being squished next to my neighbour and have not had to ask for a seat extender.

timtamsarebetterthanpenguins · 05/08/2026 17:22

You'll be absolutely fine.

AgnesMcDoo · 05/08/2026 17:22

You will be absolutely fine at size 18. The average woman is a 16. And you will be lovely and comfortable in the window.

BauhausOfEliott · 05/08/2026 17:21

Of course you won't need two seats! Size 18 is really not an unusual size at all. There will be loads of people your size on the plane and literally none of them will have bought two seats. You won't need a seatbelt extender either. I've been bigger than you currently are, and I've never needed one ever.

Ignore ThisOliveKoala. They're talking absolute nonsense. Don't worry - and have a great trip!

Spidey66 · 05/08/2026 17:21

You won't need 2 seats.

Original poster
allthelonelyppl · 05/08/2026 17:21

Boreded · 05/08/2026 17:20

Come on. You know you aren’t large enough to need two seats.

Are you just trying to goad people into being cruel about the extremely obese?

Edited

No, I don’t. I’ve never flown before and I’m sure it would be uncomfortable if I was too big

OP posts:
ThatWasAFunDay · 05/08/2026 17:20

I don’t think you need to but the important thing is how wide you are. Everyone carries weight differently. At size 18 I’d imagine you would be fine though.

Boreded · 05/08/2026 17:20

Come on. You know you aren’t large enough to need two seats.

Are you just trying to goad people into being cruel about the extremely obese?

Original poster
allthelonelyppl · 05/08/2026 17:19

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

OP posts:
Original poster
allthelonelyppl · 05/08/2026 17:18

MissMoneyFairy · 05/08/2026 17:06

The maximum seat width is 18" so measure your bottom and hiops so you're comfortable and not taking,up any room on the seat next to you

I’m wider than that! Oh god! I’m flying alone so no prospect of being sat next to family

OP posts:
SpottyPyjama · 05/08/2026 17:18

At a size 18 you will be fine. Are you travelling alone or with friends and family. It’s much easier if you are with people who know and love you because if you are at all uncomfortable you can lift the arm rests and share their tray.

aliasfrog · 05/08/2026 17:13

I dont think you need 2 seats at size 18. However you might want 2, if it's a long flight. I'm a size 4-6 and feel crammed into plane seats as it is!!! I'd be booking 2 for a long flight if I could afford it.

Culpeper · 05/08/2026 17:12

I’m not sure that a size 18 is 2 seats fat.

Jeschara · 05/08/2026 17:10

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.

Rubbish. The person you were sitting next to would have been bigger than a size 18. I am a Size 16 and I had plenty of room in my seat and caused no one to be uncomfortable.
Don't order two seats you really dont need to. Ignore the silly poster I quoted.

hahabahbag · 05/08/2026 17:10

You’ll be fine, I’m your size and fit with space to spare

afromom · 05/08/2026 17:08

You’ll be fine, I have travelled all sizes from 14 to 24 regularly on a wide range of planes, Ryan air included. I always book an aisle seat so I have room to spread out if I need and it’s easier to get in and out when I need to stretch. I still do this now as a 12/14. You will be fine at 18.

MissMoneyFairy · 05/08/2026 17:06

The maximum seat width is 18" so measure your bottom and hiops so you're comfortable and not taking,up any room on the seat next to you

cardibach · 05/08/2026 17:06

As others have said, up to a 22 I’ve been fine with arm rests down and not even needed a belt extender. It does vary from airline to airline though - Ryanair are skimpy on bot seat and belt for eg.
At 18 you’ll be fine (I’m 16/18 now and was fine even on Ryan air)

MyDarlingRose · 05/08/2026 17:05

No at an 18 you will be fine and not unusual. You may want a seatbelt extender for comfort. Ask staff if so - sometimes the belts have been cut and resewn due to damage many times which shortens them so don’t be embarrassed to get one from an FA if wanted.

TheJuryIsOut · 05/08/2026 17:04

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.

Size 18 isn't really a "larger build" it's potentially slightly bigger than average and people of that size don't spill over into the next seat.

Pashazade · 05/08/2026 17:04

You’ll be fine. I’ve flown at size 18/20 for years and never encroached on my neighbour or needed an extra seat.

DreadedInn · 05/08/2026 17:04

You will be absolutely fine as an 18

BasketCaseBug · 05/08/2026 17:04

I don't think you need two seats. Have a great holiday!

Swipe left for the next trending thread