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Original poster

Please help - will I get kicked off plane because I'm fat?

79 replies

BioGirl · 20/02/2019 18:34

I am currently 24 stone 8. About 340 lb and 5ft 11. I'm lucky in that I carry my weight everywhere and wear UK 26-28 clothes.

I am travelling twice soon on easyjet (18 inch seats) and another on a 17inch seat. I am terrified I will be kicked off.

I have been on a plane before but I was about 1 stone lighter but i did previously fit on Ryanair with an extender.

Does anyone have anything to ease my worry. I can't sleep at night!

OP posts:
SheRaTheAllPowerful · 20/02/2019 18:37

Could you work our seat measurements and try at home? I think the advice is that you need to book two seats if you can’t comfirtably fit or it would impact the person next to you, although if traveling with family this might be ok. There was a thread recently about someone who had had a terrible journey where there just wasn’t enough space.
Could you afford an upgrade to premium ?

CatandtheFiddle · 20/02/2019 18:39

Why not book two seats? Stop you worrying.

And it’s only fair to anyone who has to sit next to you, as it doesn’t sound like you’ll fit in one seat of the dimensions you give.

Tomtontom · 20/02/2019 18:40

You can book a second "comfort" seat if you call the airline.

Even if you can fit in your seat, you're going to be spilling over adjacent seats and that's not fair on others.

VimFuego101 · 20/02/2019 18:40

I don't think they will kick you off, usual practise is to ask you to pay for a 2nd seat.

continuallychargingmyphone · 20/02/2019 18:41

I am really sorry but I don’t think you will fit.

Hefzi · 20/02/2019 18:41

I'm a similar size to you, OP: Easyjet/Ryanair will be snug but you will fit with the armrest down, and you shouldn't encroach on the next seat. Whoever sits next to you will probably sigh or worse, though, as you will be hard up against them shoulder-wise even so. I try to get the window seat by paying more so I can lean that way and try to keep a bit of distance - for both our sakes.

Calzone · 20/02/2019 18:42

No
I don’t think you will fit into the seat.

RescueRemedy21 · 20/02/2019 18:42

Sit down and measure how wide you need, also think about the trays you pull down and if you will impact the person next to you.
I hope it all works out ok. I am flying with my mum in spring and am worried she will have a similar problem, but as she hasn't said anything I don't really know what to do?!?

Yippeee · 20/02/2019 18:43

Can you ask the airline?

SleepingStandingUp · 20/02/2019 18:43

I think you need to do a trial at home - use a cardboard box etc and see if you can reasonay fit. You can then speak to them abbout booking a second seat if needed. Who else is travelling with you?

OccasionallyIncomplet · 20/02/2019 18:43

I suppose depends on length of flight? An hour would be fine - 6, not so much.

Tomtontom · 20/02/2019 18:43

@Hefzi If you're hard up against the side of someone you are encroaching on their space!

Hefzi · 20/02/2019 18:44

Sorry - for clarification, my comments are based on being a 28 up top and a 24 on the bottom, but you sound as though your weight is distributed more evenly, so two seats might be a safer option.

Rubusfruticosus · 20/02/2019 18:46

When you flew previously, did you take up any part of the seat next to you, or need to use the armrest space on both sides? Was there space between you and the person next to you so you both could have your own personal space? If you think you will need more than your own space then I would book two seats

bugaboo218 · 20/02/2019 18:46

Stop worrying. All airlines carry seat belt extenders. You will not be kicked off the plane for being a person of size. Some airlines are more discreet than others with their extenders.

Try and book your seat before you fly if you can. It will be more comfortable for you if you sit in a two seat row, rather than a three or four seat formation.

I fly regularly for both work and lesuire and I have never had an issue in economy or premium economy when flying for being fat.

Never flown Easy Jet, but why not give them a call to ease your fears?

hurt86 · 20/02/2019 18:49

I'm a tall size 16 and feel like I'm rubbing shoulders with whoever sits next to me. I'm not sure we would both fit side by side as I def take up the full width off my seat so if you had another two overweight people in your row I don't know what the airline would do. They would surely have to start moving other people out seats which would be really embarrassing. I'd look into booking a 2nd seat I think.

Olieoca · 20/02/2019 18:49

I flew back from Australia utterly squashed next to a very large gentleman who promptly fell asleep for 6 hours and snored the whole time.

I couldn’t get up for a wee and ended up with a horrible UTI.

If you think you will be encroaching please consider buying a comfort seat

Hefzi · 20/02/2019 18:49

You're not technically encroaching on them if you haven't spilled over from your own seat: and in my example, I'm talking about shoulder level - if someone is right to the edge of the shoulder-point on seats, as men especially often are, even if they aren't tall, and so are you (because you are fat) then yes, as I say, your shoulders will be hard up against them. But it's two people at maximum width, rather than me as a fattie encroaching. Actually, even when I was a 14 up top, I still was often hard up to a neighbour on cheap flights, as I am very wide across my shoulders.

Rubusfruticosus · 20/02/2019 18:50

If you're hard up against the side of someone you are encroaching on their space! I agree, I could not cope with physical contact with a stranger on a flight, I choose to stand on a bus or train if I can not have my own personal space.

TheInvestigator · 20/02/2019 18:50

You just need to remember that the people in the seats next to you have paid for the use of their full seat and arm space, so if you can't fit without rubbing up against them then you need to book 2 seats.

fluffiphlox · 20/02/2019 18:51

I don’t think you’ll fit and you’ll be a problem for your neighbours. I think you’ll need to contact the airline and ask for advice. I say this as a self-conscious size 18 who has used EasyJet a lot recently.

username79999 · 20/02/2019 18:53

You need to think about being comfortable too . Tbh I'm size 16 and just enough room for me on budget flights , Some big guys just about squeeze in .
I honestly don't think I'd be comfortable on a flight bigger than what I am , there really isn't a lot of room .

Daddylonglegs1965 · 20/02/2019 18:54

This is always my concern. I am the same height as you and a size 20-22. We flew with Jet2 last year and I managed without an extender belt. At our height leg room can also be a problem and Jet2 offers slightly more leg room than other budget airlines which helps so I was fine. But I usually opt for an aisle seat as I have long fidgety restless legs and I can lean slightly into the aisle when the trolley isn’t going past and if my shoulder hurts (as it often does). I also sit with our kids who are both tall skinny beanpoles so I am not encroaching on other passengers space. I would try and loose a little bit of weight if you can and time permits and also pay for the extra seat (for piece of mind).

punishmepunisher · 20/02/2019 18:55

Can you call them and ask if the flight is fully booked, and if not could you book an extra seat? How long is the flight?

PotteringAlong · 20/02/2019 18:55

You need to sit down and measure how wide you are. If you’re wider than the seats you need to buy 2 seats.

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