AIBU?
Flying when fat - help!
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 14:41
I'm due to fly soon and i'm overweight quite significantly. I have lost some weight but won't lose enough to feel confident on the plane by time I go. Has anyone recently flew who is overweight who can offer words of reassurance?
What has made me even more nervous is that I anticipated it might be a quiet flight (early evening) and I have just seen that two people have booked the seats next to mine despite there being a number of seats that are in the lines of three still vacant. Why oh why would anyone do that? They're not even the premium economy seats!
Am I being unreasonable?
AIBUYou have one vote. All votes are anonymous.
BeReet · 10/09/2022 18:54
I have sensory issues and it would upset me immensely if I had to sit next to a larger person who encroached on my personal space for hours. Especially in a space from which I could not escape. I cannot stand being touched by strangers. I have never travelled alone for this reason, only with my family. I accept that this is a me problem though.
I think at a size 22-24 you are going to struggle to fit into economy seating but I am not a frequent flyer so may be mistaken.
Day20 · 10/09/2022 18:55
SianNotAMan · 10/09/2022 18:44
It’s going to be waist and shoulder size that matters more than dress size, and for women definitely nearly always waist size. Does anyone know at what size it starts to be an issue; would it be around 40 / 42 inches?
Google is your friend. Don't expect us to join in with being a B to OP.
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 18:56
rookiemere · 10/09/2022 18:51
It seems OP that you just want posters to say that this will definitely be ok and it's possible seats won't be used. But no one can really say that for certain.
Can you pay the extra and get an emergency exit seat, that way you'd have a lot more room in front.
People who need an extension belt can't sit on the emergency row but I appreciate your suggestion.
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 18:56
Day20 · 10/09/2022 18:55
Google is your friend. Don't expect us to join in with being a B to OP.
SianNotAMan · 10/09/2022 18:44
It’s going to be waist and shoulder size that matters more than dress size, and for women definitely nearly always waist size. Does anyone know at what size it starts to be an issue; would it be around 40 / 42 inches?
Thanks @Day20 😀
SianNotAMan · 10/09/2022 18:57
Day20 · 10/09/2022 18:55
Google is your friend. Don't expect us to join in with being a B to OP.
SianNotAMan · 10/09/2022 18:44
It’s going to be waist and shoulder size that matters more than dress size, and for women definitely nearly always waist size. Does anyone know at what size it starts to be an issue; would it be around 40 / 42 inches?
What do you mean, and why would I need to Google?
By “B” are you implying that I’m being a bitch?
rookiemere · 10/09/2022 18:58
Ah ok didn't know that.
Then I'd suggest waiting until the last minute and buying a seat in one of the empty rows.
Unfortunately Ryanair do have a policy of putting people who don't pay for seats in middle seats in occupied rows just ti be unpleasant, so I suspect that's what has happened here.
ItsJustLittleOlMe · 10/09/2022 19:02
notimagain · 10/09/2022 17:30
FWIW Industry definition is a flight commences at push back/first move off stand and ends on arrival on stand.....
SianNotAMan · 10/09/2022 17:25
So not on a flight then.
Tabbouleh · 10/09/2022 16:58
Before the flight takes off or immediately after landing.
SianNotAMan · 10/09/2022 16:13
People talking loudly on their phones on a flight?
LobeliaBaggins · 10/09/2022 15:14
I am slim, fly a lot ( often long haul) and overweight people spilling into my e space is the least of my problems. Usually I am annoyed by screaming babies, whiny children, people talking loudly on their phones or dropping bags on me, eating noisily and so on. But I tolerate all these because you know, everybody deserves to fly. I feel sorry for OP feeling anxious.
Exactly this. A flight is from the moment of taxiing off and back on to stand.
Also calls can be made mid air with in flight WiFi- WhatsApp/Viber/FB Messneger calls.
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 19:04
Violinist64 · 10/09/2022 18:25
A few years ago, l was on a night flight with my husband. The aeroplane was probably 2/3 full and we had been allocated middle aisle seats very near a family with young children. We quietly and politely asked a member of the cabin crew if we could possibly sit in some empty seats on the side, a few rows away from the family, which we were. It might be possible to do this if you are still worried about the situation when you get on the plane. I am sure you will be ok, though and you are probably far more conscious of your weight than anyone else. You sound as if you are a lovely, considerate person.
Thank you very much @Violinist64 😀I will look to move if the flight isn't full.
Seemslikeaniceday · 10/09/2022 19:08
@FattyAirways
You have been told:
- aisle seat so you only have another passenger on one side and can stretch out into the aisle except when in use
- request a second seat so you will have an entire seat between you and another passenger
- book BA Club because the middle seat is empty, again giving you a seat between you and another passenger.
All of these address your original concern and your second concern of “touching” another passenger. Is there something else going on?
arthurfowlermood · 10/09/2022 19:10
I don't think that is fair. If someone was spilling over into my seat and was touching me because they were obese, how would that be my problem? I would have a huge issue with my space being encroached like that.
The OP is already worried that an obese person will sit next to her and that will be uncomfortable.
If you are that anxious OP and are worried about you AND other people being uncomfortable the thing to do would be to purchase another seat. Then you don't have to worry about being uncomfortable yourself no matter how big the person beside you is and the other person will be fine too. It will give you peace of mind as well as comfort. Ryanair is the worst airline for accommodating people in the world.
cinnamonbiscuit · 10/09/2022 19:15
OP I’m a 24, flew recently (with easyJet) and it was totally fine, didn’t need a seatbelt extender and didn’t remotely encroach into the seat next to me. Arm rests were down the whole time. I don’t know if Ryanair seats are smaller, but I seriously doubt you’ll spill over, at worst you’ll need an extender. The seatbelts are all sorts of different sizes, I’ve seen much smaller people need them than me because they cut them back when they start to fray. You’ll be absolutely fine, please don’t worry about this anymore.
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 19:23
Seemslikeaniceday · 10/09/2022 19:08
@FattyAirways
You have been told:
- aisle seat so you only have another passenger on one side and can stretch out into the aisle except when in use
- request a second seat so you will have an entire seat between you and another passenger
- book BA Club because the middle seat is empty, again giving you a seat between you and another passenger.
All of these address your original concern and your second concern of “touching” another passenger. Is there something else going on?
and I've taken this advice on board. Except number three as i'm not flying BA.
Ihatecocomelon · 10/09/2022 19:23
arthurfowlermood · 10/09/2022 19:10
I don't think that is fair. If someone was spilling over into my seat and was touching me because they were obese, how would that be my problem? I would have a huge issue with my space being encroached like that.
The OP is already worried that an obese person will sit next to her and that will be uncomfortable.
If you are that anxious OP and are worried about you AND other people being uncomfortable the thing to do would be to purchase another seat. Then you don't have to worry about being uncomfortable yourself no matter how big the person beside you is and the other person will be fine too. It will give you peace of mind as well as comfort. Ryanair is the worst airline for accommodating people in the world.
Well its not but for all we know op has a medical issue to cause the weight. Not that it's anyone's business.
I hardly think op woke up thinking oh goody I'm going to annoy someone today by being overweight and book a flight.
ReneBumsWombats · 10/09/2022 19:25
Marvellousmadness · 10/09/2022 17:01
"At a size 22/24 you will fit fine."
Haha thats delusional pp
I hardly fit
And i am a size 10/12
'It’s a shame that airlines don’t offer some wider seats for an appropriate premium. It could avoid much anxiety and discomfort."
A shame? From them?or a shame that obesity is such a pandemic.
You're a 10/12 and hardly fit? I'm a 12/14, weight in my hips, and I fit fine.
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 19:28
Ihatecocomelon · 10/09/2022 19:23
Well its not but for all we know op has a medical issue to cause the weight. Not that it's anyone's business.
I hardly think op woke up thinking oh goody I'm going to annoy someone today by being overweight and book a flight.
arthurfowlermood · 10/09/2022 19:10
I don't think that is fair. If someone was spilling over into my seat and was touching me because they were obese, how would that be my problem? I would have a huge issue with my space being encroached like that.
The OP is already worried that an obese person will sit next to her and that will be uncomfortable.
If you are that anxious OP and are worried about you AND other people being uncomfortable the thing to do would be to purchase another seat. Then you don't have to worry about being uncomfortable yourself no matter how big the person beside you is and the other person will be fine too. It will give you peace of mind as well as comfort. Ryanair is the worst airline for accommodating people in the world.
Ha ha ha, I didn't! If I could drive there or sail there, I would!
scotscorner · 10/09/2022 19:29
@FattyAirways no experience with this OP but just here to say I hope that you don’t experience any unkindness on your flight; it sounds like you’re doing what you can to be considerate.
the only other thing that might be worthwhile is contacting the airline in advance if you haven’t already to highlight your concerns and help them accommodate (though sadly have doubts about whether Ryanair would be helpful/responsive…!)
BuildersTeaMaker · 10/09/2022 19:36
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 14:45
Hi @Allthestarsabovemyhead thank you for your message. I'm a 24. I don't want to be touching the people next to me!
It really does depend where you carry your weight
if you are apple shape at size 24 you will fit into seat no probs - but you may need to ask for a seat belt extension. You can do this as you get onto the plane with the steward at door. They won’t bring it immediately, they’ll hand to you just before take off, in a fairly discreet way. By then everyone is seated and no one will see who it’s being given too.
don’t think about arm rest being raised- it won’t help as you have to have them lowered at takeoff and landing - and it’ll really really annoying y people next to you if you raise them to spread over their arm space
RichardOsman · 10/09/2022 19:37
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 19:28
Ha ha ha, I didn't! If I could drive there or sail there, I would!
Ihatecocomelon · 10/09/2022 19:23
Well its not but for all we know op has a medical issue to cause the weight. Not that it's anyone's business.
I hardly think op woke up thinking oh goody I'm going to annoy someone today by being overweight and book a flight.
arthurfowlermood · 10/09/2022 19:10
I don't think that is fair. If someone was spilling over into my seat and was touching me because they were obese, how would that be my problem? I would have a huge issue with my space being encroached like that.
The OP is already worried that an obese person will sit next to her and that will be uncomfortable.
If you are that anxious OP and are worried about you AND other people being uncomfortable the thing to do would be to purchase another seat. Then you don't have to worry about being uncomfortable yourself no matter how big the person beside you is and the other person will be fine too. It will give you peace of mind as well as comfort. Ryanair is the worst airline for accommodating people in the world.
you could also book a second seat
arthurfowlermood · 10/09/2022 19:37
Ihatecocomelon · 10/09/2022 19:23
Well its not but for all we know op has a medical issue to cause the weight. Not that it's anyone's business.
I hardly think op woke up thinking oh goody I'm going to annoy someone today by being overweight and book a flight.
arthurfowlermood · 10/09/2022 19:10
I don't think that is fair. If someone was spilling over into my seat and was touching me because they were obese, how would that be my problem? I would have a huge issue with my space being encroached like that.
The OP is already worried that an obese person will sit next to her and that will be uncomfortable.
If you are that anxious OP and are worried about you AND other people being uncomfortable the thing to do would be to purchase another seat. Then you don't have to worry about being uncomfortable yourself no matter how big the person beside you is and the other person will be fine too. It will give you peace of mind as well as comfort. Ryanair is the worst airline for accommodating people in the world.
It makes no difference what caused the weight gain.
BuildersTeaMaker · 10/09/2022 19:44
A 24 bottom half pear shape is unfortunately potentially more of an issue- plane seats, like loo cubicles are not designed around female anatomy and our wider hips to size ratio. It’s really bloody horrible for poor women who are that shape..yeh I know they should loose weight but really fat blokes can fit ok and can get teeny tiny seat belts under their paunch. Some slim women on top have really wide hips and it’s bloody awful for them. But my DS is 6”6 and it’s bloody awful for him too- only thing you can do is book extra seat or upgrade really.
it strongly would depend on aircraft type and airline whether you’d be comfortable or need 2 seats - you can get that data on line when you look at your seat booking it’ll give make of airplane - go onto one of useful web sites that will then give you exact dimension for your seat based on airline/aircraft combo. They do vary a lot - stupidly.
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 19:44
RichardOsman · 10/09/2022 19:37
you could also book a second seat
FattyAirways · 10/09/2022 19:28
Ha ha ha, I didn't! If I could drive there or sail there, I would!
Ihatecocomelon · 10/09/2022 19:23
Well its not but for all we know op has a medical issue to cause the weight. Not that it's anyone's business.
I hardly think op woke up thinking oh goody I'm going to annoy someone today by being overweight and book a flight.
arthurfowlermood · 10/09/2022 19:10
I don't think that is fair. If someone was spilling over into my seat and was touching me because they were obese, how would that be my problem? I would have a huge issue with my space being encroached like that.
The OP is already worried that an obese person will sit next to her and that will be uncomfortable.
If you are that anxious OP and are worried about you AND other people being uncomfortable the thing to do would be to purchase another seat. Then you don't have to worry about being uncomfortable yourself no matter how big the person beside you is and the other person will be fine too. It will give you peace of mind as well as comfort. Ryanair is the worst airline for accommodating people in the world.
I don't think I'll need one based off personal experiences on here.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.