“Please. Don’t. Sit. Next.to. Me! Please. Don’t. Sit. Next.to. Me! Please. Don’t. Sit. Next.to. Me!”
It’s the chant nearly all of us have silently uttered at one time or another sitting on a bus, train or airplane when we see someone — especially someone of a particular size — struggling down the aisle toward us. It’s a natural reaction. We all value our personal space — just consider the never-ending battle over who gets the middle seat armrests — and it’s never fun when we perceive someone else is invading our territory.
But, if I’m being truthful, that chant has likely been directed at me many times over the years. Some person takes a look at my Rubenesque figure and silently hopes I just pass them by. And I really do try. If I’m traveling on public transit (like a New Jersey Transit bus, let’s say), I arrive early to snag a seat as soon as the bus arrives — thus forcing the other person to choose whether to sit next to me.
On aircraft where seats are assigned, I don’t have that luxury — and if you’re of a larger size, you don’t, either. Unless you’re flying Southwest with its unusual boarding procedures, you have to sit in the seat you’re assigned.
As a frequent traveler and someone who’s been both heavier and lighter than I am today, I have experienced flying at different weights and sizes. Like others who’ve waged a lifelong battle with the scale, my weight has swung 80 pounds in either direction. I know from firsthand experience how just 20 or 30 pounds can make a difference in comfort on an aircraft. And I’ve seen how the attitudes — and patience — of the people around you differ depending on your weight as well.
According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System study, “Adult obesity rates now exceed 35% in nine states, 30% in 31 states and 25% in 48 states.” Clearly I’m not the only one who has this problem.
As a passenger of size, I’ve accumulated some handy tips that ensure that my flight will be comfortable and that my seatmate won’t have an issue sharing space with me. You can read
What to know as a passenger of size
When it comes to air travel, the term “passenger of size” is used for anyone who’s overweight or too large to potentially occupy one seat on an aircraft. Many airlines have rules that require a larger passenger to pay for a second seat if he or she can’t comfortably fit in one seat with or without a seat belt extender. Contact your airline for the most up-to-date rules.
Generally speaking, the armrests must be lowered and you need to fit in that space without encroaching significantly — usually 1 inch or more — on the person or people sitting next to you. Fair enough. At my current weight, I don’t encroach on anyone else’s space, but it can be a tight squeeze and a bit uncomfortable sometimes with the armrests lowered.
Tips for traveling as a passenger of size
Be aware of aircraft type and seat width
I need to be more aware of the seats themselves on the particular aircraft I fly. I need to know which seats I fit comfortably into and whether or not I may need a seat belt extender. That means I need to research all flight options.
For example, there’s an American Airlines route I often fly where there are several flights per day but on different aircraft types. I could fly an Embraer RJ-175 or ERJ-145, a Boeing A320 or 738, or a Canadair RJ900. Here’s how the seat width compares on those aircraft, according to data published at American’s website.
| Aircraft | Main Cabin Seat Width |
Main Cabin Extra Seat Width |
First Class Seat Width |
Seat Configuration |
| Embraer ERJ-145 | 17 | 17 | N/A | 1—2 |
| Embraer ERJ-175 | 18.2—19.3 inches | 18.2—19.3 inches | 19.9 inches | 1—2 in First Class 2—2 in Main Cabin |
| Canadair RJ900 | 16.55—17.33 inches | 16.55—17.33 inches | 19.6—19.7 inches | 1—2 in First Class 2—2 in Main Cabin |
| Boeing A320 | 16.5—18 inches | 16.5—18 inches | 21 inches | 2—2 in First Class 3—3 in Main Cabin |
| Boeing 738 | 15.9—17.3 inches | 15.9—17.3 inches | 20.4—21 inches | 2—2 in First Class 3—3 in Main Cabin |
As you can see from the above chart, it’s not enough to know which airline I’m flying. I need to know the aircraft type and then look up the seat width (which is usually easily found at the airline’s website or Seatguru).
Out of the choices above, I’m best off on the ERJ-175 if flying Main Cabin. It’s got the best seat width, which is 2 inches more than the Boeing 738 provides in Main Cabin. However, if I’m flying first class, the Boeing A320, with a 21-inch seat width, is my best option, followed closely by the Boeing 738.
Make flight purchases based on seat configuration
Aircraft type is important. But, I also take into consideration the seating configuration of the airplane. Knowing the configuration helps me determine which seats may provide me — and any potential seatmate — with the most comfortable flight.
It often can be most comfortable to fly in the single seat aisle of a 1—2-configured aircraft. The ERJ-145 above fits that bill in Main Cabin or first class in either the ERJ-175 or Canadair RJ900.
The below image is the seat configuration of an American Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 operated by Envoy Air. On a small, cramped plane like this one, a passenger of size may be better off selecting an A seat with no seatmate. Seat width is 17 inches.
If an A seat wasn’t available, a passenger of size would have to decide if he/she wanted to buy tickets for two B/C side-by-side seats or pick a different flight/aircraft that might have roomier seats.
Understand that seat width can be a wild card
As a passenger of size, I need to understand that there really are no standards. Different types of aircraft have different seat widths and seat belt lengths. Aircraft substitutions are made all the time, and despite my best efforts to book the best option, it may not actually work out that way on the day of travel.
I can fit just fine into one seat but feel squished or need a seat belt extender on a different aircraft in the same airline’s fleet. That was the case for me when I flew on five different aircraft across three airlines and needed a seat belt extender on two of those flights: the American Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 pictured above and an Austrian Airlines Boeing 767-300. I fit just fine on an Austrian Airlines A320, United 787-10 and United ERJ175. All seats were business class.
Check seat belt length before buying a ticket
Most airlines have several different types of aircraft and it’s possible that the seat width and seat belt length differ on each of them. Whenever possible, I try to determine the seat belt length for the airline I’m flying. Most airlines post this information on their websites or you can reach out to customer service by phone or social media direct message.
Here’s seat belt length info collected from the airlines:
| Airline | Seat Belt Length | Seat Belt Extender Length |
| Alaska Airlines | 46 inches | 25 inches |
| Allegiant | 33.7 inches | 25 inches |
| American Airlines | 45 to 47 inches | not specified by the airline but appears to be 25 inches |
| Delta | 40 to 45 inches | not specified by the airline but appears to be 25 inches |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 51 inches (42 inches for bulkhead seats) | not specified by the airline but appears to be 25 inches |
| JetBlue | 45 inches | 25 inches |
| Southwest | 39 inches | 24 inches |
| United Airlines | 39 inches | 25 inches |
If you have no idea which seat belt length works for you, do a little test at home. Take a soft tape measure (like the type you’d use when sewing). Sit on a relatively firm chair and not something like a cushy sofa that you’ll sink into. Measure from the back left of the seat cushion (where your body meets it) to the back right — stretching the tape measure over your hips and stomach. That will give you an idea of how many inches of seat belt you’ll need on the aircraft.
Ask for a seat belt extender
I know it’s not fun, but when you board an aircraft and you need a seat belt extender, ask the flight attendant for one. No one’s ever judged me for that and most stewards or stewardesses are discreet about it. Wearing a seat belt is for your safety as well as the safety of everyone around you. It is folly to fly without wearing a seat belt.
It is also possible to purchase a seat belt extender. The Federal Aviation Administration does NOT want you to do that, though. This is part of a memo they distributed to airlines back in 2012 when seat belt extenders first started to flood the consumer marketplace.
“Purpose: This InFO (Information to Operators) serves to inform operators that seat belt extenders marketed to the public as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved should not be permitted for use.
Background: Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91, § 91.107; 121, § 121.311; and 135, § 135.128 require a seat belt secured about each passenger during specified phases of flight. Seat belts and extenders provided by the airlines are inspected and maintained under each of the airline’s FAA-accepted Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP).
Discussion: Operators should be aware that seat belt extenders are being marketed to the public for their personal use while traveling. These extenders are marketed as “FAA PMA approved.” Some are categorized as specific to each airline and others are sold under the heading “Universal, adjustable & FAA-safe” and are sold “for use on all airlines.” While these extenders may have a label that indicates they are FAA-approved and conform to TSO-C22g, they are not inspected and maintained under each airline’s FAA-accepted CAMP and should not be used. In order to support compliance with 14 CFR sections regarding the use of seat belts, assigned crew members should be aware of the possibility that passengers may attempt to use these extenders while on board their aircraft.”
I agree that the best option is using the airline’s own equipment. However, I do have my own seat belt extender (which looks and feels exactly like what’s handed out on the aircraft) and carry it in my carry-on in case an aircraft doesn’t have enough extenders to go around. This has not happened to me yet, but as I mentioned in another post, I’m a planner and I’d rather be prepared than asked to leave the aircraft due to a lack of an essential piece of safety gear.
Most seat belt extenders are universal. Southwest aircraft uses a different type of seat belt mechanism so its extenders are custom (but you can still find those for sale online, too).
One other thing to note: Some airlines that use inflatable seat belts on their aircraft may not let you use a seat belt extender in those particular seats.
Buy preferred seats and/or stalk the seat map
If you’re not overweight, you’ve never had to endure the eye rolls and huffing/puffing of a seatmate that is aggravated that he/she must occupy space with you. While seatmates of “passengers of size” may not be thrilled with their seating assignment, I can guarantee that the overweight person isn’t too happy about it, either. No one wants to feel badly about themselves, right?
Not long ago, I was on a JetBlue flight. I had paid for an Even More Space seat — which I do on every flight. If it’s a short flight, it’s a good chance to end up with an empty seat next to you. My success rate using this strategy is usually really good. Not only do I buy the Even More Space seat but I continually check the seat map leading up to the journey. You should always do this too. As long as your fare allows free seat assignments, you can change your seat as many times as you need to in order to try to keep an empty seat next to you.
On this particular JetBlue flight, the map continued to show an empty seat next to me even just a few hours before the flight. When I boarded, however, someone sat next to me and let me know his unhappiness by shifting his body every two seconds and continually pushing against the armrest between us. Once we were in flight, I looked at the other Even More Space seats and saw that an entire row was empty. I asked the flight attendant if I could change seats, which was no problem.
Leverage elite status or pay for business class
I never really thought too much about it before but my weight — and my desire for the most comfortable flights — is probably partly why I chased airline elite status when I first “discovered” the world of miles and points. I value elite status upgrades since sitting in a business class seat usually solves the space issue (at least for me at my weight). And, my airport isn’t a major market, so my upgrade success rate is usually pretty good. When it’s really important to me, I just buy (or redeem miles for) a seat in the business class cabin.
Buy a second seat
On very tight aircraft flying a busy route, it can be worth it to buy a second seat. That additional seat provides you physical comfort and peace of mind. When buying yourself a second ticket, it’s easiest to just call the airline to make the reservation since the naming on that second ticket has to follow certain airline protocols. Note that some airlines, like Alaska, will refund what you paid for the second seat if the aircraft departs with an empty seat on it.
It’s best to buy an extra seat in advance. If you wait until you board the aircraft and there’s an issue, there may not be two available seats next to each other or the cost for a last-minute seat may be exorbitant. (That said, I’ve seen flight attendants do their best to move passengers around the cabin to ensure everyone’s comfort.)
I’ve talked with other passengers of size who purchase two seats and sometimes they get frequent flyer miles for the second seat — but usually only after reaching out to the airline after the flight.
Bottom line
Plenty of Americans carry a few more pounds than is ideal, which can make flying on certain aircraft less than comfortable. But with a bit of preplanning and research on your aircraft options and potential seat configurations, you should be able to manage the issue.
Featured image by Shutterstock
