To ask how you’d select your seat as an overweight solo traveller?

[firsttimesolotraveller16]

I am going on my first ever solo trip in a couple of months.

im currently a size 16-18. Hoping to be a solid 16, or even 14, by the time I go. My initial thought was to go for the window seat for my flights - I don’t have to get up/down for people and I can just relax and sit back. But now I’m starting to overthink it and thinking I should go for the aisle seat instead so that I’m not making anyone uncomfortable.

i dont spill into the seats next to me, but I’m starting to overthink it a bit.

YABU - go for the aisle.

YANBU - window will be fine.

14-16 you won't be spilling into anyone else's seat so choose wherever you prefer. I like a window seat because I like to look out on take off and landing, DH likes an aisle seat as he's 6'4 and can sometimes stretch his legs a bit, which works out as DS is 7 and happy in the middle

I think im cautious because of an experience I had a few years back at my heaviest, where I had to move from the emergency exit row because I needed an extender. I was put in the aisle seat and the man next to me made a horrible comment about me being too fat for it and “of course” he had to sit next to me

About 17 years ago I needed a seat belt extender and I was a size 20, on Ryanair.

I'm so sorry you experienced that. He was ignorant and rude and you didn't deserve that. You've done a great job to lose so much weight too, I have lost 46lb this yeatf and have the same still to go! It's not easy.

I’m a size 14 and fly all the time, the seats always have plenty of room so I’m sure this won’t be an issue for you at 1-2 sizes bigger at most.

I prefer the window so I can sleep and not have to get up when people need the toilet. Surely
that’s better if you’re needing to stay out of people’s way? I hate the aisle seat.

I’m a 20-22. I admit this does cross my mind, but I’ve never needed a seatbelt extended or anything like that. If I was a 16 it wouldn’t even occur to me. I like an aisle seat anyway because if I look out of the window I feel sick and I like a bit more ‘arm freedom’! OH is very tall so we always ask if the exit row is free.

Thanks guys. I think I’m just really overthinking it.

At a size 16-18 i really don't think it's an issue....

I’ve said why I’m overthinking.

In your opinion aisle seats are better. I prefer the window as I like to look out and also like to sleep without worrying someone needs a wee.

People like different things.

Bless you - you are definitely overthinking it. I get where your mindset is though as I used to be a size 28 and had to squeeze into airplane seats and only just managed without an extender (much smaller waist compared to the rest of me). It did put me off travelling a bit, even though luckily I sat between family members.

However I’ve been a size 16 for many years now, yet still have that “I’m really big” mindset - but I flew again recently for the first time since my weight loss and there were no issues at all; size wise I would say I was probably Miss Average (flights to the US - flights to say, East Asia where a petite figure seems very common might well have been different!). If you don’t want to get up/have no circulation issues then go for the window as you’ll get the best rest, but personally I prefer the aisle as I like to get up to stretch my legs every couple of hours.

Why would I want to stay put of people’s way on a plane though? As a solo traveller it’s a bit ‘trapped’ and you have to disturb 2 strangers if you need to get out. I hate it.

And I was asked which I would advise. So I gave my opinion. I think the aisle is just more comfortable and potentially safer.

It was the statement ‘aisle seats are just better’. I was pointing out that isn’t everyone’s experience.

I assumed the ‘in my opinion’ was obvious when the thread asks how each person would choose.

Oh bless you, love. Yes, you definitely aren’t able to see how big the change is in yourself. At 14 or even 16, you will not spill over an airline seat at all. Please sit wherever you wish and enjoy your trip!

I’m a size 16 and it’s never in my life occurred to me to think about where I’m sitting because of what size I am. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Size 16 is hardly massive. If you were a size 30 and didn’t fit in a chair, okay, yes. I sit where I like, which is generally the aisle seat because I need to wee like 500 times on a flight and I like easy access to my bag.