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Original poster

Flying at a size 26

74 replies

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 14/03/2019 14:54

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

OP posts:
Namechange8471 · 14/03/2019 16:38

I just fitted in a regular seatbelt. I'm a size 20 and 17 stone

Well done on the weight loss!

Namechange8471 · 14/03/2019 16:39

Please go op!

Don't let it put you off, you'll kick yourself later on for missing out!

legolimb · 14/03/2019 16:44

OP you should go.

Its only a short flight.

Get an aisle seat and you won't feel to squashed in.

EightToSixer · 14/03/2019 16:45

Please don't cancel this trip!
I'm currently a size 26-28 but have flown as a size 32. easyJet, BA, RyanAir, virgin, Delta, Air Canada and a few others. I have no problems at all. I whisper to the air stewardess could I have an extender and they are normally very respectful when sending it over. I do have a problem with the lap trays but usually just hold the food tray or drink instead.

There are people much bigger than you flying and I've never ever been asked about getting a second set even though I was 24 stone at my heaviest and a size 32.

Don't stop your life just because of a little embarrassment about asking for a seatbelt extender. They are very used to this and get this every single flight so they won't bat an eyelid at your request.
I also have a friend who bought a seatbelt extender on eBay for her own use and doesn't tell the air stewardesses anything, they can't tell and it was less than a fiver.

EightToSixer · 14/03/2019 16:49

P.S. I like to book an aisle seat so I only have a neighbour on one side, but you'll be fine in any seat

cherryblossomgin · 14/03/2019 16:54

I'm size 20 and 5ft8 and when I travel with DH I take the window or the aisle seat. As long as your not in the middle you should be fine.

BeTheHokeyMan · 14/03/2019 16:56

I flew recently as a size 22 and it was a struggle if I'm honest .I flew with family and sat in the window seat.I was able to put up the arm rests between us and the table was very snug .I was very uncomfortable and vowed to lose weight as i really wouldn't like to repeat the experience again.As others have said you can check the seat sizes of different planes and work out if you will fit .I would personally recommend maybe booking two seats for yours and others around you comfort

Original poster
IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 14/03/2019 17:00

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

I think this has cemented my worries.

OP posts:
TropicPlunder · 14/03/2019 17:06

OP i fly long haul and short haul for work every couple of months. The only thing that bothers me on a flight is people willfully hogging the arm rest or jabbing me with their selfish elbows/knees!!!! THAT is worse. I have never been bothered by any other overspill (and I'm quite intolerant Grin)

LazyBones2 · 14/03/2019 17:07

I spent a long period flying every few months when I was in Evans 26/28 tops and 24 bottoms. I'm 5,4.
Usually Jet2, Ryanair, or Easyjet.
I never spilled over, I could always do up the seatbelt - although couldn't always put down my table!
Don't rule it out. A seatbelt extender will be provided discreetly, should you need one.

TacoLover · 14/03/2019 17:08

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?

I don't agree. I've had this before and people's skin spilling on to your lap makes me so fucking uncomfortable. We will have differing opinions but I think it's quite selfish to book a seat if you know you are going to enroach on someone else's personal space. It feels like an invasion of privacy, especially for people with anxiety such as myself.

If you're spilling halfway onto someone else's seat like I have had people do before I think that's actually quite unfair as they're basically using half of the seat you have paid to use. Personally I don't think it's unreasonable to be angry at somebody's body squashing you and invading your personal space for hours on end.

ittakes2 · 14/03/2019 17:09

I'm sure you are unlikely to be the only size 26 person who has ever flown. Perhaps ring BA and ask the measurements of their business class seats? You should go. Don't let your size stop you doing something you want.

AlbusPercival · 14/03/2019 17:11

I’m a 26-28 abd 6ft tall. I fly economy frequently. And for the past couple of years with an infant on my lap too.

It won’t be a long flight, don’t miss the opportunity

fatbottomgirl67 · 14/03/2019 17:12

If you're going with a friend speak to them about it. You can make sure you are seated together so if you are encroaching a little bit it will be on someone you know. Please dont let it stop you going. I'm sure your friend will understand

Atalune · 14/03/2019 17:17

op please go!

Is it possible to take the train up the day before and stay somewhere cheap and cheerful?

Or just fly!

Do not let one comment set you back. So what if you touch another person! I expect a midweek flight won’t be full and you’ll have the space.

You’re on the right track losing weight and you deserve to have the same opportunities as anyone else! Please go!

CaMePlaitPas · 14/03/2019 17:23

OP, go. You have one life - please live it. It's 2 hours, don't be put off by people on the internet saying you might "anger" a stranger. You're punishing yourself by not going, you're doing something about your weight (who's to say you won't be a size 24 in six weeks time?) you're obviously the woman for the job - go and do it! Report back Smile

Hollowvictory · 14/03/2019 17:26

But the aisle seat still means you're encroaching on the middle seat?
I'd still go but drive.

Namechange8471 · 14/03/2019 17:28

Hollowvictory Hmm

MyDcAreMarvel · 14/03/2019 17:37

Hollow but her friend can sit in the middle seat.

Freshstart40 · 14/03/2019 17:51

Hi OP

Ex Virgin flight attendant here. Please don't cancel your trip. You sound a very considerate passenger. Depending on who you fly with, call them in advance and see if you can pay a little extra (usually £30) to choose a seat, ask what they recommend as depending on the aircraft, you may get assigned an exit row seat in the middle of the plane, as long as you are able bodied enough to open the emergency exit if required. Or perhaps a seat behind a bulkhead. Be honest with them about your concerns. They'll reassure you. We would just discreetly hand out the seatbelt extensions. It was really no big deal. Drunk passengers on the other hand grrrrrrr
You sound lovely. Please go.

amusedbush · 14/03/2019 17:52

I flew Glasgow > London > NYC with BA in November last year at 17st and a size 20 and was desperately uncomfortable. I didn't need a seat belt extender but I took up every bit of space allocated to me and I hurt a muscle in my back trying to keep my arms tucked in and not encroach on the man next to me.

I travel a lot with different airlines but last year wasn't great and I gained five stone. I knew I was big but I didn't expect to be quite so tightly packed in. To be fair though, the domestic leg was slightly more comfortable than the international so I'm assuming the seat pitch is different.

blueskiesovertheforest · 14/03/2019 18:12

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece don't be bullied by people lik the aptly namede fleabaglet - they are in a minority and crawl out in response to the fresh blood of a thread like this. There most certainly are a lot of things worse - I flew a lot when younger and the worst people to sit next to were manspeading creepy men. People who take their shoes and socks off and smell of Bo or strong perfume (or both) are awful to sit next to, and a very drunk young woman who leaned over me to try to flirt with the desperately embarrassed older business man on the other side of me repeatedly and tried to climb over me instead of asking me to let her out during a fully booked flight was also worse.

Travelling with children I hate stag parties on planes - an easy jet speciality - and rude stewardesses - also an easy jet speciality.

All those are worse than sitting next to someone who is large for their seat but trying to minimise inconvenience to others by sitting in the aisle seat and trying their best not to put anyone else out.

TheGirlWithGlassFeet · 14/03/2019 18:27

Please go. Enjoy yourself. As someone said you only have one life - make the most of it.

BlackPrism · 14/03/2019 18:46

Could you measure yourself when sitting down and call the two possible airlines to ask about seat sizes etc?

please please go OP. You deserve opportunities as much as slimmer people and you have done so well to lose the weight. Treat yourself!!

There is worse than a little overspill, like the averagely sizes man on my last BA flight who absolutely stank. People were gagging. That was way worse

ILoveAnOwl · 14/03/2019 18:49

I've flown loads on budget airlines at as similar size, as has my Mum, and neither of us has had a problem. Honestly, it'll be fine! Go and enjoy the trip!