To worry about fitting in plane seat

[Cheesetoasties11]

Just before anyone leaves a snarky comment, I'm fat and aware of it. I am not in denial and I'm working on it.

I've just been invited on an exciting trip to Moscow with my best friend flying with British airways. I told her I was hesitant to say yes as I'm a size 24 and I worry that I won't fit in the plane seat. She told me I was worrying unduly but it's been a while since I've flown and was much smaller then

For reference I can fit in London Underground seats (the ones with fixed arms) and a seatbelt is not a problem.

Aibu to worry? I don't mind asking for an extended belt but would be mortifying to not fit in seat or be asked to buy another ticket

Careful with premium economy - I found there was less room than in economy as the armrests were fixed and seems to take a lot of room up. (That's BA, will probably be dependent on aircraft type - you could check Seat61 to find out about the type of plane you would get.

It's a holiday charter so no premium economy.

I flew loads as a size 24. Asked for an extension when I boarded and one was given to me no hassle. As previous people have said you might struggle with the table resting on your belly but I managed. Don't let it worry you. Believe me no one notices the extensions being handed out.
If possible book the window, you can kind of lean into it .

dippy I've already booked the aisle because I thought it would be more roomy. I'm not bothered about the table as it's only a flight to Spain. The worry is really taking the shine off my holiday

OP - Contact the airline. speak to your friend again. Just make sure when you do fly you're considerate (as you will undoubtedly be) to anyone sitting with you.

There are undoubtedly plenty of men (think rugby players!) who fly and they are combine 17 stone with over six foot as well. wouldn't like to meet them on an economy flight!

sorry to post on what was a zombie thread...i'm a size 24/26 and we're flying in two weeks - thanks to medication I've put weight on (I know...I know, I'm trying to lose it) and I'm worried about fitting in a seat. It's a charter flight so I'm not expecting great seat width or pitch.

I've just flown back from Spain and am a similar size, most of my weight carried on my hips/thighs (that's not to say the rest of me is skinny tho!) I fitted into the seat ok but was prob just getting to the limit of comfort for the belt, table came down ok (just kept knocking things with my huge boobs). Fly to Spain a couple of times a year to visit family & can only think of one issue, was with EasyJet (I think), where putting the arm rest back down for landing I had to squash it down my thighs but was fine once down. You'll be surprised how many others on the plane are similar sized or bigger & no one bats an eye! Enjoy your holidays!

I'm size 20-22 and tall, I fit in the seats just, but it's tight (as are underground seats), I always get an aisle as I'm not mobile enough to move across as I have back and knee issues. Never go for the first row or emergency exits as the trays are in the arms and then the seats are narrower and the edges harder.

My preference is extra leg room , row 2 or 3 on a charter flight. I have to admit anything over 4 hours and I want at least extra leg room, over 8 hours and I try to go business.

I've never needed an extender but sometimes it is close and really depends on where you wear your weight.

Oh shit, we've got the first row and it's too late to change it 😟 I'm tall and need the legroom.

Hi user, I'd already resurrected the thread. I am flying in a week and am really worried about it. It's taking the excitement out of my holiday.
I won't be able to relax until I'm sitting on the seat!
Where are you off to?
Im trying to loose weight too as I have another holiday booked later in the year and I don't want to go through this again

Don't the airlines have the seat widths online? Just a thought.

Just to add the the above, if you're worried about the seat belt not fitting, don't choose an emergency exit row. If you need an extender, you'll be moved out of that row.

Learned that the hard way

The seat width is 17"

Our seats aren't the exit row as such, there is one seat in front which is by the exit and then three seats behind - we have those three and the corresponding one across the aisle. We're going to Portugal.

How about you?

Have a great time!

We are going to spain . I've picked an aisle seat.

Don't worry! I'm a size 18 now, but was a 32. Flew long haul a few times. I did need a seatbelt extender - which was embarrassing- but that gave me the push I needed to lose weight. Nobody made me embarrassed, the air hostesses were lovely and very discreet.

Very jealous of you going to Moscow! Have a great time 😀

Hi, Just a quick question .. did you fit in the seat at your heaviest?

Just don’t get an extra legroom / bulkhead seat....... I made the mistake of paying an extra £100 for one of these for an 11 hour flight and you can’t lift the arm rest up, it’s solid all the way down if you can picture what I mean.

I’m a size 16-18 below and I knew as soon as I saw it there was no way I would fit! After the most uncomfy 20 minutes of my life I had to move back to a regular aisle seat.

But sorry OP not meaning to freak you out, you will be fine! Maybe pay a bit extra to reserve an aisle seat for your own comfort though?

Whoops just noticed this thread is 9 months old!

I flew Ryanair when I was 27 stone and a size 34. Made sure I had an aisle seat and my husband was next to me so I could ‘spill over’ on him. You will be fine, may be a tad uncomfortable but you will definitely fit!

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