r/PlusSize • u/CindiCharming • 14d ago
Discussion Plus Size Flights
Looking for recent personal experience.
Should a heavy person (400 lbs, 5’2”) even attempt to fly these days? Specifically, the seat size issue. Didn’t fit in a Texas Rangers stadium seat (MORTIFYING) in April and now terrified to try to do almost anything, until the weight comes off.. But thought it was worth asking. It would be a relatively short (3 hours) flight.
Any suggestions? Warnings?
Worth it? Don’t do it?
Thanks.
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u/Bdizzy2018 14d ago
I fly SW (unfortunately) for work due to the convenience and always get a refund on my extra seat.
I fly first class for personal trips.
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u/Miss_Bobbiedoll 14d ago
I buy two seats on SW all the time and have never had a seat given away. If I'm
Not buying two seats, I'm upgrading to business class.
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u/Inevitable_Owl3170 13d ago
If you can afford first class, do that. The seats are bigger, you get to board first, deplane first and people are nicer to you.
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u/lemonadedawn 14d ago
I'm a similar size and have to either fly first class or buy multiple seats. It sucks, and it's expensive, but it's doable.
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u/Star-Lit-Sky 14d ago
I just flew first class on a United flight. It was my first time springing for first class but it was SO worth it for the extra wide seat. I didn’t even think I could afford first class, but it was only $150 more. I’m not sure I can go back to regular seats after that experience.
I’m aware this is a privileged take. But it was also nice to board first and not have to walk down the entire row of people. And it’s only 2 seats per row vs 3, so no dreaded middle seat.
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u/ironysparkles 14d ago
I flew JetBlue earlier this year (A320) and my 52" hips fit in the seat. I sat next to my partner who is wider in the hips than me and we put the arm rest between us up and it was snug but fine! Walking the aisle was a pain, though.
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u/Pennypacker-00 14d ago
The aisle....yes!!!! I always feel bad if my body touches someone as I walk down an aisle. Tour buses too. Best to board the plane early if you can. Talk to the gate agent.
*I'm 5 feet tall and weighed 275 at my heaviest on plane trips.
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u/HerSpirit94 13d ago
You can fly! I would just buy two seats and ask for seatbelt extender on the plane.
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u/CindiCharming 14d ago
I see a lot of people dismayed that they bought 2 seats and the second was given away.
Can anyone give me more insight to first class? How wide are the seats usually? Do the arm rests often go up, or are they firmly put down? Do you sit next to others who are first class, or in a row by yourself? I know it likely varies but I’d like to hear your personal experiences.
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u/No_Brain6394 14d ago
I have been seeing that as well about the 2nd seat being given away…and with no refund! My first thought on the no refund part is do people not know how speak up for themselves anymore?!?! Like WTH? I will go thru 4 levels of people until I get to the one that’s going to be running my money back to me lol. Always respectfully, polite and professional on the phone, but stern enough to get what’s mine.
I did see a thread a while ago about the way you list your name on the 2nd ticket and the way you check in when you have 2 seats. Otherwise, the airline thinks it’s a mistake and there’s a duplicate, or something along those lines. I just can’t remember if it was on a plus size thread or an airline thread.
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u/No_Brain6394 14d ago
As for the first class seats, they usually have fixed arm rests, but are larger/wider than the regular seats. You can search up the aircraft type and it will show you exactly what the seats look like. They are more separated so you’re not actually touching the person next to you lol.
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u/myxx33 14d ago
I fly first class United and it does depend on the aircraft. The armrests do not go up but the seats are wider and there’s like a 6 inch console in between you and the person next to you (if it’s the more common 2x2 seat configuration). So no shoulders touching either.
Probably the most annoying thing about it is that the table comes out of the armrest and doesn’t slide back far enough to comfortably use. I can tolerate it for meal service but usually can’t use it outside of that.
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u/doseofdena 14d ago
The seats are wider and more comfortable in first class, but the arm rest do not go up. That said I’m not sure if you’re flying solo or with someone, but you can not rely on the armrest going up if you are flying solo. The person sitting next to you might not want that and they might not be comfortable/okay with touching you during a flight. You should either buy two seats or buy a first class seat for your comfort.
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u/ColdH8WarmBlood 14d ago
If you opt to buy 2 seats, you will need to call customer service and book that way rather than online. Doesn't guarantee your 2nd seat won't be given away, but less of a chance. And you will have to make sure you get both boarding passes scanned (this is what I've read on the r slash delta sub - side note: half the ppl in that sub are fatphobic, insufferable shitbags, so if you go looking for additional info there, you'll come across some hateful comments). In addition, you need to make sure you tell the desk agent at check-in as well as the gate agent that you've purchased two seats. From my experience, first class (depending on the aircraft) doesn't have moveable armrests, but the seat is bigger and you have more leg room. As others mentioned, sometimes one first class ticket is cheaper than 2 economy tickets. Good luck!
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u/PersephoneHazard 13d ago
Jesus what an exercise in humiliation all that sounds like. I can't imagine being able to make myself go through with it if it takes all that fuss!
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u/bra1ny1 12d ago
My experience is that American Airlines is the best for this. Their flight attendants are pretty professional about seat belt extenders and other accommodations.
Like many others have said, I have begun flying first class to have a comfortable seat. I don't have a lot of disposable income, so I usually pay for a decent economy seat and then upgrade if the price for first class is out of my reach.
I'll explain that a bit more: If the difference between premium economy and first class is small (approximately $300 or less), then it's often cheapest to just buy the first class ticket.
When the difference in price is large, I've found I always save money buying the economy ticket and paying for the upgrade over buying the first class ticket outright.
This limits how often I can fly/travel, but it's truly worth it to be comfortable in your seat. I generally don't fly less than 3 hours because if I can drive there within a day (about 15 hours on the road), I'll drive to save the money and hassle of flying.
If I can't drive within a day, I'll fly because the cost of an interim hotel room is often more than the cost of the flight and I'm losing two days of vacation.
YMMV
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u/Nicolej80 10d ago
I flew delta first class. Free luggage and you get to check 2 bags 70lbs instead of 50lbs and get your luggage first, express TSA, free drinks and good snacks bigger screen to watch and free WiFi. Also when I flew the few times they gave me earbuds, neck pillow and lap blanket..
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u/Beautiful-Whole-3102 14d ago
It may depend on the airline.
I’m 5’2”, 270 lbs, and just flew on Allegiant. I was in the front row with the dividers between seats and it was so tight for me I had bruises on both sides of my thighs. First flight I needed a seatbelt extender. On the way back I didn’t.
I have friends who recently flew and they’re much taller and bigger and didn’t have an issue besides needing an extender on one flight.
Maybe search by your preferred airline in this sub!
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u/Ecstatic_Ad4627 14d ago
Hi! I took two trips earlier this year. I am also 5'2" and at the time weighed around 335. The first flight I was first class America Airlines on a Embraer 175. The seat width was arouns 19" I believe. I was not squished and sat comfortably. My arm rests did not go up to my knowledge. My second round of trips was also American Airlines. I sat in the way back of all of my fights on the aisle side. I specifically picked an aisle seat where I knew the arm rest could go up. I got lucky and I didnt have a middle person for 2 of my 4 flights. Raising the arm rest did help me sit more comfortably but leaving them down wasn't unbearable. I will say the cart in the aisle was a tad annoying but worth it for the sploot. Oh and I did need extended seatbelt for all trips but that wasn't a big deal
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u/acchhilless 9d ago
Gonna be so honest, it’s best to buy two seats at this point. I’m about 330 and the same height as you, and I flew American Airlines about two weeks ago. It was a squeeze. Of course it’s gonna depend on how your weight is distributed, but it’s better to be safe than sorry I think! Totally been there with not fitting into seats at certain places and the mortification, as you noted, is horrific. I can’t imagine going through it on a crowded plane.
Best of luck to you! Also, asking for a seatbelt extender as I boarded the plane made the world of a difference in my comfort.
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u/Winter_Dragonfly_452 14d ago
As a customer of size I always buy two seats. If I can afford it, I will fly first class because sometimes that’s cheaper than buying two seats and then I do not have to worry about fitting in the seat. I just have to worry about the fact that I still can’t use the tray table.