Flying when fat - help!

[FattyAirways]

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!

Unfortunately OP has decided she'll be "fine" so she won't book a second seat. So so unfair towards the unfortunate person sitting next to her. I would make some annoyed noises to be honest - and imagine her having to go to the loo (thankfully the Ryanair seats in front can't recline). I have an issue with one of my joints and that's why I mostly travel business or at the very least I choose and pay for an aisle seat on the left side of the plane to accommodate my joint.

The majority of people here is telling you to buy a second seat - please do the decent thing and buy it - people will breathe a sigh of relief on the plane I can guarantee you. And next time book business which means the middle seat is vacant and you can spill there

I'm surprised OP is so confident about it now that she plans to come back and tell us how well it all went before it's happened. She started the thread because she was so worried. And now it turns out money is no object to a second seat? So why wouldn't you just book it?

@FattyAirways

I'm a bit confused after reading all your posts. What was your original question, why you posted?

You were nervous because someone booked seats next to you, but you're confident you won't encroach, so what makes you nervous about sitting next to someone if you definitely, 100% won't spill onto their side?

If you’re travelling with RyanAir I would definitely book a second seat. Their seats are 17 inches wide so without trying to be unkind, it will be more comfortable for you if you have two seats.

I believe you book the second (comfort) seat by calling the airline generally.
They are slightly cheaper sometimes due to the airline taxes, etc. I think, but not always.

Not all airlines let you book these online.

@FattyAirways I just googled. Ryanair seats are 17" wide between the armrests.

People have different body shapes and carry weight differently so 52” around the hips is average not necessarily why an individuals hips are.

I am a size 28 and carry my weight on my tummy so I fit in airline seats even the ones with fixed sides. The issue I have is the table as I “spill” to the front. I personally chose and pay for extra leg room seats, premium economy, club and even business class if I can afford it as you usually get more room.

I have encountered much slimmer people with wide hips who spill into my seat under the arm rest. In one case by at least 4”, and it was impossible for me to sit down properly. I had to perched on the edge of the seat which I could do because I had a seat belt extender. Fortunately there was a delay and the flight was half full and I was allowed to move seats. Had there not been a spare seat I don’t know what the flight crew would have done as I looked big but fitted in my seat but she was much slimmer and did not fit in her seat. She should have had to purchase an extra seat but I feel I would have been fat shamed.

@TirisfalPumpkin with all due respect if you have sensory issues are you sure an airport and plane are the most ideal way to travel? Public transport is just that public. Ones needs does not trump another.

I do not know how a person with sensory issues would cope with the airports currently long ques, standing within close proximity to people, people going ahead of the queue despite you being there before them.. and the delays.

You cannot just discriminate whatever the reason may be.

I have not got sensory issues but I will be damned if someone sitting beside me who is obese spills over onto the seat that I paid for because they are too big for the one they are in. That impacts ME and MY comfort on a long journey. Nobody wants to be wedged in their seat because the person beside them is using the space that they paid for. Nobody wants to be touching thighs with a stranger.

How does someone with sensory issues affect you?

Not comparable in the slightest.

If you are too big for a one seat and spill over and touch another person you do the decent thing and buy 2 seats. That is not discrimination, that is just basic manners.

I don't have sensory issues, but I sure as heck did at the end of the flight I described in my earlier post - the sense of a soaking wet leg and a very painful back. I know it's a difficult and embarrassing problem for someone who is too big to fit in their own seat, but my 37 inch hips had nowhere to go when someone else's nether regions had encroached on a large proportion of my seat!

Airports are difficult. I do use headphones, dark glasses/eye mask and my queue jumping lanyard - and I buy the required space to accommodate my body, aka one seat. It’s manageable, tiring, but sometimes necessary. They sometimes let disabled people have jobs where we have to travel internationally, and some of us have family abroad. I’m not sure ‘be permanently grounded’ is a reasonable accommodation we should make for someone’s fat.

I brought up the sensory issues situation to illustrate that overspill isn’t just an issue of mild discomfort for some of us, as there isn’t always awareness of this and it’s perceived as annoying but tolerable. I didn’t really want to initiate a debate of ‘should the disabled be barred from travel to accommodate the fat’. There’s room for us both, if everyone is considerate.

I'm a 24, I've just flown twice with no issue. I've also had a fear of flying for decades, which I was able to cope with on my last 3 flights. Sending you very best wishes. Anxiety can be tamed with time and support. Enjoy your trip.

I would like to respectively ask the people who are size 24 who have travelled with no problem......have you thought about the person you are beside or do you mean you could actually manage to wedge yourself in the seat and do up the seatbelt? So I am alright Jack. You might not think you are infringing on others but you more than likely are at that size especially on a Ryanair flight.

This is from their website..

Extra seats can be purchased for comfort
How to book an extra seat
To book an extra seat for comfort go online and select 2 seats. The first seat should be booked in the actual passenger's name and the extra seat should be entered as COMFORT SEAT as the Last Name and EXTRA as the first Name. The name EXTRA COMFORT SEAT will then be displayed on the reservation and online boarding pass.

Ryanair are the narrowest seat width I’ve experienced. Google suggest 16-17in depending on aircraft. Can you measure up a chair at home @FattyAirways and see if you fit within it comfortably? Otherwise may be best to enquire re price of comfort seat for your own reassurance

Ryanair seats are a particular problem as they don't recline, not even an inch!

Most people could squash their large bottom into a seat but what about the upper body? I sat next to a very large woman who had very big arms and I spent the mercifully short flight leaning to the other side. She encroached into at least 20% of my seat.

Given what a pp had said (thankfully now deleted) to cause that reaction in the OP, I'd say it was an understandable reaction.

I wonder if all these people posting about the inconvenience of travelling next to a larger passenger (who can fit in the seat, armrest down) would feel the same about being sat next to say a person who severe autism or learning needs who may may make noise or flap, how about babies or children just under two years old but big for their age that sit on their parents lap, what about a body builder that is huge and takes up as much room, are physically disabled people who may have to sit in a certain position to be comfortable inconsiderate for not booking an extra seat?

It is public transport, many people can cause problems/ uncomfort eg hen/ stag type groups, children, people who play loud music/ films etc, couples arguing, people swearing, people with bo, people who don't dress appropriately, people who have drunk too much in the airport but the ground staff want rid so board them anyway, people smoking (incredibly dangerous on a flight).

Extra seats aren't guaranteed even when booked and paid for. If the flight is oversold or there is an aircraft swap the airline can use the seat if needed (this applies when people pay for a seat for an infant to use during the flight too who has to be on a lap for take off and landing). Op can book one and if she gets it great but it isn't guaranteed and if she did if should be for her comfort not others.

Airlines usually have a welfare team which can make adjustments for those who need it through disability. I'd give these a call op, they may be able to give you the best advice and help to resolve any issues.

A body builder would NOT take up as much room as someone who was size 24, they would not have fat spilling under arm rests. Noise or flapping is not touching, physically disabled people are not touching, Stags and hens are not touching, people swearing, arguing, playing loud music, people not dressed appropriately?? are not touching, never seen anyone smoke on a flight but even by some miracle they did, they are not touching.

Someone who is grossly overweight who tries to wedge themselves into a seat that is too small and in doing so takes over some of MY space and makes My travel uncomfortable due to them spilling over to my side is something else entirely.

to answer the questions i do consider others i usually book an aisle seat and lean outwards

A person sat next to you with ld or severe autism may well touch you whether you like it or not, a body builder could be huge much bigger than the poster and may very likely want the arm rest up and to put at least some of their leg in the foot area of the next seat, large infants on a lap can take up alot of room babies do also grab, if said child falls asleep in the inside of the parent/ carers elbow that elbow will likely be on the arm rest, a physically disabled person may have to sit in a way where they do rest to one side, the others are examples of inconvenient/ problem causing behaviour and yes that includes people dressed ridiculously for a flight. Smoking happens more than you think, just because you don't think you've experienced doesn't mean it hasn't. Crew have physically check the toilet areas regularly and their are extra extinguishers in them.

If you want so much space guaranteed maybe you should pay for the comfort area for yourself. How would you manage in a theatre if you were in this situation or a train?

If the op fits the seat, can fasten a belt even if extended and get that armrest down she has as much right to be there as anyone else.

I think anything size 18 and over you WILL be encroaching on other seats, no matter how much you convince yourself otherwise.

Having travelled extensively I know the overweight people are stating it’s really OK but it’s not. I have had many experiences of people breathing a sigh of relief when they see they are sitting next to me.

They often make a few jokes about the size of the seat but it always means I have to move myself into uncomfortable positions as their fat literally has nowhere to go. Sorry to be so graphic but it really is the pits for small people

a body builder could be huge much bigger than the poster and may very likely want the arm rest up and to put at least some of their leg in the foot area of the next seat,

Not sure about all body builders but by virtue of where I live I see and occasionally end up on flights seated next to some of those who play for the local rugby major Union team - we're talking Heineken Champions Cup players, not local league. I think by most definitions these guys could be regarded as huge but nevertheless they can fit into an economy seat on a short haul flight, sometimes with two more of their mates in the same row, same side of the aisle.........when they do that it looks a bit tight around the shoulders but they don't overflow.

Given that I suspect think there is at least some virtue in @arthurfowlermood 's argument that it's not just size, it's shape that matters,

Completely agree, body shape really matters in this context. I'm 5'11", so airline seats are already uncomfortable due to height and as a pear shape I carry most of my weight in my hips, bum and thighs. When I was a size 20/22, there were definitely lots of economy seats (especially on budget airlines like Ryan Air!) I didn't properly fit into. Seatbelt length was always fine, but my hips and bum were just too wide. In my case this was less of a problem as I always had family members sitting next to me, so raising the armrest / touching the other person slightly wasn't an issue. In any other situation I would have bought an extra seat.

I used to find the SeatGuru website quite helpful to look up seat width and pitch in advance for your actual flight number:
www.seatguru.com/findseatmap/findseatmap.php

Of course there can always be last minute changes and a different plane will be used or you end up on a different flight due to unforseen cirumstances, so not 100% reliable either.

Ridiculous comparison.

So the person who is not overweight should pay for extra space in case the obese person who has not paid for extra space pours over to their side? Don't be ridiculous.

If the op fits the seat, can fasten a belt even if extended and get that armrest down she has as much right to be there as anyone else

Wrong. If you get the armrest down and the fat that is pushed up because you don't actually fit comfortably spills over onto my side.....that is NOT ok. Why should MY seat be made smaller? Why should I have to be uncomfortable? If you have spillage where your body is touched another person you need 2 seats. End of. NOBODY should have to put up with that.