Flying at a size 26

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

I don’t know what to do.

I’ve been offered an amazing work opportunity that involved a 2h flight-a train was a possibility but just not viable due to taking 3h longer

I haven’t flown in 15 years, in a size 26 and would be flying with a good friend...which is almost worse due to the embarrassment

I literally don’t know whether to not go or go but face the embarrassment

What airline would you be flying with? There is a bit of difference in seat sizes between them.

If you can find that out you can google them to find out their chair dimensions and about their seat belt extenders.

And how far in the future is the trip?

It’s in 6w. Don’t know what airline it would be, won’t find out before I need to make the decision

Oooh you should definitely go! I work as cabin crew and usually in this scenario, the passenger asks on boarding, for a seatbelt extension... we continue boarding the passengers and will quietly find the passenger and hand one over. no embarrassment or big fuss and you just leave it on your seat when you get off. it really is that simple

Also, i don't mean this rudely but if you feel embarrassed perhaps it might be the kick up the bum needed to improve your health?

I flew a lot for work at a size 22/24. I would ask for a lap belt extension as I boarded and never had a problem getting one. I carry my weight front and back so occasionally the lap tray was very snug but I managed to keep within the confines of my chair space.

Iceland Air were the most generous seat sizes and lap belt lengths and Virgin Atlantic the worst ime.

Thank you baby. I’m just absolutely panicked at the thought of embarrassment especially with my friend there or a big deal being made of it

I’ve started WW and have lost a stone and am down from a size 28 but of course it’s nowhere near enough

Can you book two seats? I'm a 20\22 and really struggled in ryan air, didn't need a seat belt extention but I felt like a cork in a bottle.

You won't be able to book 2 seats if it's for work.

It’s probably going to be EasyJet or BA. Unlikely to be able to book 2 seats and I don’t think I could take that embarrassment tbh

I’m 5f6

go go go!!! and well done you on the weight loss so far!

I would book 2 seats.
I am a size 16/18 and only just managed to squeeze into a Ryan Air seat.
Perhaps if you book together as a priority booking you can book a row of three for the two of you.

Do you travel on trains which have divided seats ever? They are roughly the same size as the airlines so gives you an idea. If you are worried, call the airline once work has booked the seat, they may be able to confirm it's quiet flightier advise the price if you want to book an extra seat without work knowing.

I’ve always wondered, to book two seats on a flight do you have to pay for two tickets or just an extra £10 or whatever for an extra seat? If it’s the latter I would book two seats just for peace of mind. I’m a size 16/18 and only just squeezed into a RyanAir seat recently without it being uncomfortable. Well done on your weight loss so far by the way!

BA seats are quite big (just flew with them). They're bigger easy jet is smaller though.

I always wonder a bit about the two seats idea - there's no guarantee of the two seats being next to one another is there!

Can you make sure you get an aisle seat? The extra space to one side means you and the person next to you will be more comfortable.

I absolutely think you should do it anyway - a 6 ft 5 man wouldn't turn down a work opportunity due to fear of taking up space...

Unlikely to be able to book 2 seats and I don’t think I could take that embarrassment tbh

You may have to or be refused boarding. I worked for another well known low cost airline and they regularly denied boarding to larger pax, unless they brought another ticket for "additional comfort"

You need to book 2 seats. Easyjet seats are not large enough to accommodate you unfortunately. You'd be taking up the person's next to you seat. 💐

BA seats are quite big (just flew with them). They're bigger easy jet is smaller though.

That's not true. BA planes have a seat width of 17-18 inches in WT, whereas Easyjet is 18 in across their fleet. The seat pitch varies more on BA, some more generous than Easyjet and some less, but that can alter your perception of the width too.

Tomtontom oh that surprises me! You're right it was merely my perception, I didn't look up or measure anything. I felt as though I had significantly more space and I was much more comfortable on the BA flight a couple of weeks ago than on an easy jet flight a couple of months before that!

Maybe the fact that the BA flight staff were so much pleasanter also distorted my perception, but I could have sworn the seats were bigger!

Thanks all, decision made, I can’t book 2 seats so I’ll just hope this opportunity arises again when I’ve lost more weight.

Thanks for your help

please do check and if you need please book 2 seats. NOTHING worse than person overspill onto you neighbour! thats even worse than just embarrassment as you`ll anger them!

If you book an aisle and middle and you friend sits in the middle it would be ok.

Can you book an isle seat, and sit next to your friend on the other side?

NOTHING worse than person overspill onto you neighbour! thats even worse than just embarrassment as you`ll anger them!

I can think of plenty of worse things, children kicking the back of your seat constantly, or playing loud video games, or drunk lairy adults. How to make someone feel terrible eh?

Well done on your weight loss OP, keep going! It looks like you have made up your mind not to go, which is a shame. Hope the opportunity comes round again for you

Definitely go! I’ve flown with my BF last year who is a size 26 and also 5ft 6 and although it was a bit of a squeeze she managed and she just asked for a lap extender belt when she boarded and said the seat number so it was all low key.
If you’re worried about encroaching on seat space see if you can sit on the aisle seat?

She’s decided not to go.