What its like to be that fat person sitting next to you on the plane.

Great article!  I use to have panic attacks flying when I was fat.

What it's like to be that fat person sitting next to you on the plane.

Yup, this was the nightmare of flying as a super obese woman. 

It is singularly the best NSV of all.  Flying is still stressful, but not due to size.  Makes your heart ache to read this article.

I still do all of these things.... Might never change. I flew last month and about had a panic attack that I would need an extender. 

I once had a flight on a small jet from Burlington, VT to Philadelphia.  I was in the very last row of the plane, right next to the restroom.  I weighed about 265lbs or so at the time.  The woman who had to sit next to me was probably over 300lbs.  it was very uncomfortable for both of us, and the flight was packed.  I am so glad I will never have that problem again.  

The last time I flew was in April of 2014.  I was with my husband and two kids.  I was so grateful to be able to spill over my seat onto them, lol.  it was uncomfortable, but at least I didn't have to worry about encroaching on strangers.  

Agree with birdiegirl, the single best NSV is fitting in to an airplane seat.  Southwest has open seating.  They also have a "customers of size" policy which allows you to take 2 seats if needed at no extra charge.  

That's only if there's room on the plane, which is rarely the case anymore. They still recommend buying two seats when you make your reservation.

Even at my largest size I never had a problem fitting on the plane sit or needing an extension belt. The problem was when they would put me side by side with large person... . I needed all my space...ugh..

in February we took a trip to Maui. Long trip.  The trip there was OK..The trip back - the portion from Maui to Phoenix - the plane was much smaller - the seats very close together... the 3 of us were average to slim and there was no room to spare between us..  as we were taking off - I was thinking of some larger people on the plane - and how uncomfortable they are and the people sitting beside them.. I could only imagine the nightmare... 

on one flight - 4 hours long - there was a large guy beside me... I could see the armrests digging into his sides...the seats were very small and very uncomfortable... ButI had some room to wiggle my butt... he was stuck in his seat for 4+ hours...As I was leaving the plane I was wondering how much in pain he was...

     If I am sitting next to a larger person I lift the arm rests so there is more room....

I develop issues with needing more personal space... sometime there is no choice.. 

in this case- even with the armrest down - he used 1/3 of my space... I was in a middle seat - already squashed against the guy on my other side...

This is excellent and so representative of what I felt.  By far, easily fitting into a plane seat has been my biggest NSV, and isn't that sort of sad?