Question:
AM I TOO BIG TO FIT INTO ONE SEAT? HELP!
It has been a really long time since I have been on an airplane. I am flying in a few days from Anchorage AK to Ohio and am traveling on Continental and Delta Airlines. Since that whole big issue with Southwest Airlines making obese people buy two tickets...I AM WORRIED. Right now, I am 5'5 and weigh about 212 pounds. I wear a size 16 pants and 1x top. I took a tape measure and put it on a chair to see how much my bottom took up...and it looks like I can fit into a seat that is no smaller than 16 inches without spilling over. If it is ANY amount smaller than 16 inches...I AM IN BIG TROUBLE. It would be best if it was at least 17-18 inches. I am so worried. I cannot afford another ticket, and someone else bought this for me. Has anyone my size flown recently? I have a current picture of me on my website (the address is on my profile), so you can get a better idea what my size is. Thank you! And please be honest...if you dont think I will fit...LET ME KNOW NOW!!!! (open RNY 7/23/02 -86 pounds) — Shawnie S. (posted on November 24, 2002)
November 23, 2002
You will be fine. Please dont worry.
— RebeccaP
November 23, 2002
You will fit just fine. I read on several sites comparing airline seat
widths that seats on long-haul planes are generally between 17 and 18
inches wide, even on the newest aircraft, and no economy-class seats
measure wider than 18.5 inches. By comparison, business class was found to
be 19-20 inches, and 19.5-21.5 inches in first class. Have a good flight!
— thumpiez
November 23, 2002
I fit into airline seats when I weighed 340. I am only 5'3" and was
quite bottom heavy. I just needed a seatbelt extender at that point.
— Julie S.
November 23, 2002
RELAX! Pre op my wife was 4 foot 10 293 pounds and able to fit in a single
seat. Now she wasnt comfy, but we fit. Be sure to get up and walk around
the caBIN, and drink LOTS of water to prevent dehydration and blood clots.
Even normal weight folks who never even heard of surgery havre troubles
from these issues flying... HAirplane humidity is near zero percent:(
— bob-haller
November 23, 2002
To Big - NO WAY....I am 5'9" and the last time I flew priot to WLS I
was 310....I just did fit and the seat belt almost did not fit, but I was
fine. I just flew a couple of weeks ago, I was down to about 225 and IT
WAS AMAZING !!!! Don't worry, you will be fine.
— Sharon H.
November 23, 2002
You will fit just fine I think! If in doubt, ask for the old seatbelt
extension. Good Luck!
— Molly S.
November 23, 2002
Welcome to Cold Snowy Ohio!
Your size is just fine. By the way, Southwest seats are a bit smaller than
the other carriers I believe. At least that is what it seemed like to me
when I flew Continental to San Diego, Southwest to Seattle and then
Continental back to OH
I flew this past summer and for the first time I had problems with the
seats. It was awful actually. I am a size 24-26 with most of my weight in
my hips/butt area.
— daytymer
November 24, 2002
Not even close to being too big!! I flew from PA to CA when I was 5'6, 269
pounds and I managed to fit into the seatbelt without an extension! Don't
sweat it!
— emilyfink
November 24, 2002
Hi Shawnie,
You should have no problem! I am 5'7 and was 272lbs in Oct.
I flew on Continental and had no problems. To my happy surpprise
didn't even need a seat belt extender. So have a great trip!
Take Care, Toni
— toni D.
November 24, 2002
You're not too big. I'm 5'8" and flew at 315lbs and was even able to
squeeeeeze (just barely) into the seat belt without an extension. You'll
be fine.
— lezawomack
November 24, 2002
Continenetal Airlines is very kind to overweight passengers.
I fly with them by choice. I heard recently Delta can be a
pain in the butt, but you'll be ok, you're not heavy enough that
they're going to give you a hassle. Just stay away from
Southwest, and you'll be fine.
— suitfugue
November 24, 2002
Shawnie--I just flew on Southwest this past Friday 11/22. I'm down to
219.5 5'1" and I fit the seat just fine AND I even fit the seatbelt
with no extensions..woo hoo!!!! You will be just fine!
— Bambi C.
November 24, 2002
Wow.. do I EVER know this feeling! You're fine.. you're NORMAL! Airplane
seats aren't made for ANYONE's ass...16, 17, and occasionally 18 inches..
that translates to 36" hips at best... VERY few meet that..
particularly men...<br><br>
I was 372 when I started my journey and I flew just before surgery and
maybe I should have had 2 seats, but no one bothered me. While I was
recovering from surgery southwest made their announcement... it scared the
crap out of me. I traveled again at about 290 pounds.. and I felt like you
do. I was absolutely NUTS about fitting and how I would feel.. (stupid
southwest making us all paranoid.. I hate THEM!) ... and I was fine.. yes,
at 290 pounds... it was a much more comfortable ride than ever before.. and
I didn't feel gigantic.. my hips didn't get bruised... and the seat belt
fit...you'll be FINE.. more than fine...
— Lisa C.
November 25, 2002
I can relate! I am 365 and 5'8" and have flown on both airlines.
While the seat was tight, I was still able to get into it. You should have
no difficulty as I wear a 30-32 pants or 3X tops. I just keep thinking how
nice it will be when I don't have to ask for the seat belt extension
anymore! :) Good Luck!
— Karen H.
November 25, 2002
You will be fine - I promise, I flew less than a month ago - on SOUTHWEST -
and I am 5'6 280. I am actually a frequent Southwest flier - and I love
them! I was worried when that whole 2 seat thing came out - but NO ONE has
ever said anything to me about it! And because of their policy on picking
your own seat, I get there early enough to be in the first boarding group,
and make my way to the back of the plane. 90% of the time I have the row
to myself, or at least the middle seat open. One word about Delta -
sometimes their seats are more like "bucket" seats - so they
kinda curve up around you - and well, they can be a tad bit uncomfortable.
Enjoy your trip!
— Kelly V.
November 25, 2002
I wouldn't worry one bit. I flew to Las Vegas when I was 6 weeks
post op and had only lost about 35 pounds. I started out at
312. At that time I was wearing a size 24 and I fit into the
seat and in the seat belt that was there with no extension!!
I was worried about that when I made my reservations and had absolutely
nothing to worry about. You should be just find and just enjoy your trip!!
— Janine B.
November 26, 2002
I wouldn't worry. My last flight was about 2 years ago at the time I
weighed 370+++ and I'm 5'6. Needless to say all of my weight is below the
waist . Tight fit is not the word for it but I asked for a seat belt
extender and got to where I was going. I took the attitude that they
should have a few seats that were handicapped or accessible for my size.
And I refused to let anyone make me feel bad about it. My money is just as
green as someone smaller. And unless I'm mistaken and we are still
considered one person and not 2 or 3 then I want the same rights.
Accommadate me.
— Kimmie C.
November 26, 2002
I wouldn't worry about it. I regularly fly on business and never had a
problem when I weighed 350 (I'm 6'3"), so you should be fine. If
you're worried about it, try to get an aisle seat. Congrats on your weight
loss, you look great! - Mike
— Michael N.
November 26, 2002
I think you'll be just fine. I haven't flown SW in a while, but I fly
Northwest at least once a year and haven't had a problem with the seats. I
wear at 24 pants, so at a 16 you should have plenty of room. I usually fly
with my daughter and we put the arm up between us which helps. If you're
flying with someone you can try that too. Best of luck.
— Alice H.
November 26, 2002
Check out Airline Seat Belt Extenders! I've have the same problems in the
past and found a company that sells airline seat belt extenders. There are
a few of them but this company "Airline Extenders, LLC" is the
least expensive. Check them out at wwww.airlineextenders.com. It's worth
it! Especially if you are going to be traveling this holiday season.
— Euler U.
December 4, 2002
You will be just fine! I have flown Southwest quite a bit and I am a size
24. I have fit in the seats and the seat belts fit without an extender!
When I flew Delta, I should have used an extender but I was embarassed to I
just held my breath and sucked it in as best I could. But, with Southwest,
I never had any problems. Don't worry, you look great and you will be
fine!
— Tami H.
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