Airplanes???

I was doing research on getting my surgery done through Dr.Aguirre and Genie was helping me with alot of questions. My mother will be coming with me, but I would love too fly instead of drive then I thought how am I going too fit in the seat. I was reading somewhere that some airlines make you buy 2 tickets. But how am i going too know if I need 2 tickets or are the airlines out there that accomidate too larger people. I dont want too buy the ticket get there and be humiliated. So, ya'll can get an idea I am 5'10 and 455-470lbs. Thank you all for helping. Jamie

Good question Jamie. I've been wondering the same thing myself. Joan

Hi Jamie I did some research on this prior to booking a flight...Southwest is the WORST airline for larger people. They had the most consumer complaints and the horror stories posted by people were UNBELIEVABLE. We went with Alaska Airlines, who is considered 'fat friendly' by passengers. If you call them, try to find a flight that is normally under capacity, usually mid-morning/afternoon or very, very late...that way you can sit in the back and have a little room to stretch. We requested early boarding, claiming we had a handicap (in a way I did) and it was easy to discreetly ask for a seatbelt extender. Alaska was very nice, but I don't know if they fly Texas to San Diego. The next 2 I read were Northwest and American. But if you can, avoid Southwest at ALL costs.

Hi Jamie, Unfortunately, I only have information on SouthWest. I know that they do require you to purchase two tickets (based on your weight), HOWEVER (and most people are not aware of this) if the airplane is not full and there are seats left open, you are entitled to a full refund of the 2nd ticket. You do have to make the request in writing, but you will receive the refund. The best bet is probably to call each airline and ask them their policy. I would also request their policy in writing; have them send it via email or post. Best of luck to you. ~Sharon~

I have an employee that is over 400 pounds that recently flew to Hawaii. She had to buy two tickets. I agree with everyone else, contact the airline. When I flew to San Diego to have my surgery I was 345 pounds. I fit in the plane seat but it was tight. Of course I needed the extender, but I only had to buy one ticket. I flew to Orlando last month and certainly did NOT need an extender AND had plenty of room! What a difference 170+ pounds make!!!

I haven't flown in several years. I've only traveled by Delta and Continental. My Delta experience: I fit in the seat very tightly. I had to get a seat-belt extender and it was handled discreetly. I flew off peak hours and had someone traveling with me so I moved the arm up between us and was more comfortable. Coming home, I got lucky and the plane was empty, so I had the whole row (3 seats) to myself and was very happy. Another time I flew on Delta, I was traveling by myself and got a window seat. I was extremely uncomfortable but luckily it wasn't a long flight. When I flew on Continental, the seats were worse. The arm rest did not move up. So even though the seat next to me was empty. I still had to squeeze everything into one seat. We got stuck flying in circles waiting to land due to bad weather. I had bruises on the sides of my legs by the time I got off the plane. I don't know how you would fit in the seat. It depends on where you carry your weight. I would recommend getting an aisle seat so you can lean into the aisle. Definetly do not get a middle seat. So before booking your flight, find out the seat measurement, find out if the arm rest move up/down. Try to fly off-peak. You may even want to look into traveling 1st class. If you have to buy 2 coach tickets, you may be paying close to 1st class anyway. Good Luck!

Hi Jamie--I don't have specific knowledge of the airlines policies...but I go window, so i can wedge up against the wall to keeping from falling over onto person next to me. I personally hate the arm things that raise, because my butt will raise it on its own whether I mean to or not! I posted on my page that I swore I'd NEVER fly fat again, but for this surgery, I'll make an exception!!!! Go with humor and know that you are accepted here, and that this will never happen to you again!! Yeah! Hugs--Sunny

I went ahead and purchased two tickets both ways. It was nice to have the room and not have to worry about it. I was especially glad that I had on the way back. I was able to be as comfortable as possible under the cir****tances. If that is an option, that is what I would do. Grace and Rod would reserve seats with a seat between them. They usually didn't have to worry about someone taking the middle seat. That is another option you might consider. I've been flying Delta, and America West has always been good to me. Hope this helps. Vicky P.

Hi Jamie: When I was researching how I would get to Mexico, I came across a neat site... (www)seatguru.com It shows a picture of the airplane "floorplan" and gives you specific info for the seating on different airlines based on the aircraft type: seat dimensions, which armrests go up and which don't, which seats have the most legroom, best/worst seats on the plane, etc. (All of this can vary, even on the same plane!) For example, I'll be flying on a Continental Embraer 145. The seating arrangement is 1 seat - aisle - 2 seats. So I selected a seat on the single seat row. Hope someone finds this info as helpful as I did! Grace and peace, Karissa (www)jessfarms.com

Hey Karissa Where were you and this wonderful site when I traveled to London last year.. My husband and I were so uncomfortable that we said we would never do this again.But next time I will check out the plane before I make reservations.. I put this site on my favorite list for now.. GerrAnn