AIBU to think I will need a seatbelt extender

[ForRubyZebra]

Hi, I’m due to fly to Spain with TUI on a Boeing 737-800 and I am panicking my about whether the seatbelt will fit I have asked what length their belts are and they have said 33inches, so would I need to measure sitting down from either side of my hips? For reference I’m a size 22 weigh 17 stone 9 5”5 woman and have an apron belly however on a diet and 4 weeks ago weighed 18 stone 12 lbs so it is coming off but due to fly in 6 weeks
YABIU = won’t fit need an extender
YANBIU= it will fit fine
im fully aware that this is my own fault :)

How rude ..anyway did you miss that the op has already lost quite a lot of weight?

It depends, belt mostly sits over your thighs more than belly. Also depends how many times the belt has been trimmed after fraying, there's a big variation between seats in my recent experience. Mostly I have 9 inches of spare as a size 16, but once only had about 2 inches...

You might, or you might not. Just ask for one when you get on the plane and then if you don’t need it you can just give it back.

Please don't stress. As you board the flight just mention to the steward 5hat you will probably need one and give them your your seat no. The stewards are always discreet.

Being pro-active is by far the best way of dealing with this (and belt sizes never seem to be constant sized) so cuts out the stress of will it fit or not x

It sometimes depends on the actual seatbelt. Airlines will often cut worn seatbelts shorter to prolong their life. That means that the exact same aircraft might have some belts with less slack than their neighbours. Either way, the crew won't blink if you need to ask for an extension.

They will have them if you need it. I wouldn't worry too much about it. We used Tui last year for Cyprus but went for extra leg room as my husband is tall. You might want to book one of those seats to give yourself more room. Overall there is more space around them which if you are bigger than average may be more comfortable. Obviously though you would still need the seatbelt extender if your waist is quite large.

Well done on the weight loss and never say it is your fault for being large. There are often underlying reasons and we shouldn't be fat shaming anyone. Enjoy your holiday.

The staff won’t bat an eyelid, and the other passengers won’t notice

When you are overweight it's usually possible to change and therefore isn't permanent .

Unfortunately the same can't be said for those who are rude and judgemental

Nobody's fault, just how it is.
Flew recently with a friend who is about size 22 and tall and she didn't need an extender. Another friend who is bigger and shorter did need one. It was no big deal, she just asked one of the cabin crew and they brought one, no fuss or embarrassment.
Guaranteed you won't be the only one on the flight that needs one.

You are a lovely person. So often posts like this are met with derision and unkindness.

Firstly well done on your loss so far!

I think I might be about a similar dress size/weight to you. Recently went on holiday with multiple planes over 3 Airlines. I think all where Boeings but I can't remember I'm afraid. Anyway, I managed to not need an extender. It was difficult to get the belt to click initially but I was comfortable through the flights (up to 12 hours), and sat with my belt on for most of the time. Though it did have a feeling of taking off your bra when I did undo my belt 😂

I would wait until you sit down on the flight to decide if you need one. From the measurements I was given i thought I would need an extension, but I didn't. Cabin crew came very quickly if I needed them.

But anyway, enjoy your holiday!

Most airlines have the seatbelt length on their website (or you could ask), then measure yourself sitting down.

But honestly OP, if you do need one no one will care.

They get asked all of the time and it’s just like asking for a cup of water or sick bag.
They won’t give it a second thought.

You may not - I'm a little larger than you and fine on Jet2

It also depends on the seat. I've heard newer planes have longer seatbelts then if they fray/wear some airlines (mainly cheaper ones) will cut a small section off so it's 'fresh' again. So can even depend on which seat on the plane you're on

Just a little warning on this - if the extra legroom is also the exit aisle you can't sit there if using a seatbelt extender

Well done on your weight loss!

if you do need one don’t worry no one will bay an eyelid.

Just a little warning on this - if the extra legroom is also the exit aisle you can't sit there if using a seatbelt extender

I was just about to say this. So that probably wont be an option for op.

OP, congrats on all the weight you've lost! That's a lot in such a small time frame.

As everyone is saying, you'll try it out when you board and if you need one, itll be given.

In my experience TUI have extra legroom seats which are not exit seats as well as exit seats.

Was there really any need for this? FFS this place gets worse by the day with nastiness like this for no reason and that’s nothing to do with the OP’s question. Someone clearly left the gate open at the cunt farm today.

OP I can’t remember what thread it was on here but someone linked an article to the length of seatbelts on planes and how they differ even on individual planes. Tbh I don’t think anyone even notices others getting seatbelt extenders, I know I don’t. Don’t let this ruin the excitement on the run up to your holiday and if you’re really worried order one from Amazon so you have peace of mind. Congrats on the weightloss btw ☺️

It depends on the plane and whether the seat belts have ever been cut down for any reason.

Don't worry if you need an extender they don't bat an eyelid!

Thank you all so much for your advice, kind words and stories of you’re experience xx

Hi OP, I fly to Spain frequently with Ryanair and Easyjet and I'm a size 26, 24 stone and the belts don't fit me by a smidgen so I promise you'll be OK. Everytime I've asked for a belt extender, no one, not the flight attendant or fellow passengers have batted an eyelid. Have a wonderful holiday!

Thank you for your bitchy helpful and constructive post. Did it make you feel good to kick a woman when she's already down?

@ForAPicnic that is not what your post implied. Attitudes like yours have the opposite effect to what you intend.