Poll: What size did you wear when you no longer needed a plane seatbelt extender?

I work for an airline. Its actually  NOT the aircraft size. The airline I work for has very large seat belts and most people fit just fine and we have small planes. Our sister carrier who has much bigger Aircraft has smaller seat belts. When I was 279 I could buckle on my own carrier but switching to our sister carrier I needed an extender.  In fact recently we have had trouble keeping the extenders on the aircraft. I think people are are stealing them so they don't have to ask for them on other carriers. I think it makes sense. It is super embarrassing to ask a flight attendant for an extender.. Well at least for me it was.

I am a seat belt thief! You can now order them on eBay very cheaply.

The shortest seat belts I have experienced are on American Eagle and smaller Continental aircraft. All international flights I have taken seem more generous. Jet Blue was always much longer than I needed.

I read an article last month about seat size on airlines. JetBlue has the biggest seats. It may just be an inch but every bit helps!

For a man I find that a 44/46 waist was the turning point. Under 44 you seem to be fine... over 46 you need an extender.  If you are between the two you can suck it in a bit and be uncomfortable.

Of course that all depends on if your waist is above the gut or if you are one of those men who wear your buttons under the gut.  I am an over the gut guy.

I totally agree with everyone about having to ASK for an extender !!!  I can see where people would steal them...It is embarassing to ask for one, especially when the flight attendant makes a BIG deal about it.  I have been told at 320lbs...."Oh, Honey you won't need an extender"....only to have to call her back and ask for it again.  I am flying in June and am looking forward to fastening the seat belt because I KNOW I will fit this time !!!  :)

THANK YOU for posting this! We could be "twins" regarding our current weight/size and goal of wanting to buckle that dang belt. I am 5' 11", 240, size 22 pants. and will be flying overseas on British Airways next month. PANIC the belt won't fit just like the past 10 years of flying has been for me. Last flight (post surgery) i was 299 and the belt did not fit. eggrrrrr. There is something disturbing to me if the thing won't fit this time. Like it is going to be a huge disappointment - its hard to explain. Most of my weight is now in my tummy, so i am PRAYING i can get the belt UNDER and across my lap - since i am flying alone, may have to lift tummy up and ask the friendly neighbor to buckle for me! haha.
Also, seatguru.com is very helpful in aircraft detail if you would like more info. on seat selections, width, etc.
Very best wishes to you and goal. If you hear a big CHEER on May 14th, thats me in Houston after clicking that dang belt!

22 on Hawaiian airlines, 20 on Alaska...