Plane seats?

So I am gathering as much information as I can before I commit.  The one huge stumbling block for me is the size of airplane seats.

I'm in Vancouver, BC.  My plan is to take the train to Seattle and then take a plane to San Diego.  I have heard horror stories of plus sized people either being bumped or required to pay for two seats.

I just don't want the added stress.  Unfortunately I am pear shaped and most of my weight is in my hips and thighs.  

Thoughts on decent airlines?

Thanks.

Wife &I flew to San Diego 2 weeks back for Gastric Surgury in Tijuanna & we  were freaking also I don't think wife is a pear she has a bigger front I 'd say she weighed around 330 we were blessed with a kinda small /average perso seating by my wife & we fit
                               Seat belt was not long enough but you ask for extension & then your good to  Good Luck Also I don't know if your freaking about going to Mexico for surgury BUT it was painless also
                                    Feel free if u have anymore ?'s
                                                        May THE LORD BLESS

I'm afraid of the same thing, but I've read that American Airlines is probably the best with large flyers. They don't make you buy two seats upfront and if you can't fit into the seat and the flight isn't full, the most they'll do is move to to a seat that doesn't have anyone in the next seat and they still won't charge you for two seats.

The armrests also fold up so they're not digging into your hips.

I'm going with a friend and her husband. She's sitting next to the window, her husband will be in the middle, and I'm sitting next to the aisle next to him. We'll see if she minds if my hip and his fuse on the flight down. LOL

Virgin America has large leather seats. I think they go to san diego from seattle

Emerald, I recently flew American from Chicago to San Diego on a medium sized plane (seats were 3 on one side of aisle and 3 on the other side).  My BmI at the time was 40 and I'm 5'4" and I carry my weight in my hips and legs and I have to say it was a tight squeeze.  I was quite uncomfortable in the seat although the belt was long enough by a few inches.  If you are any heavier I would do 1st class or I think you will be quite uncomfortable.

I wish you all the best.

Pick a flight very very early or very late, pick a window seat in the way back where no one likes to sit, perferably where another single passanger has already chosen the aisle seat. Then, hope no one books the middle.  I understand window seats offer just a tad more space.