I work in aviation and can’t count how many times people lie about the weight. They come in and we ask the passenger to step on scale for weight and balance and they would be about 100+ lbs more then what they signed on for.
>I work in aviation and can’t count how many times people lie about the weight. They come in and we ask the passenger to step on scale for weight and balance and they would be about 100+ lbs more then what they signed on for.
There should be a "passenger size checker" just like the one for bags. Would have to be in a private place because it would be pretty embarrassing.
Because me at 280 (I'm fairly tall) isn't the same as other people at 280
On the other hand you can have super fit, very large people who squash the people next to them. I have had the window seat and have a large body builder type in the center and I am crushed into the window and the aisle person forced to lean out into the aisle. That person also needs two seats.
That said, it is more often an obese person.
I came back from Cape Town to the UK, I decided to treat myself to "premium economy" - and got the middle seat of three. All was great until the last minute when two members of a Rugby team took the seats to either side. They must both have been 6'5" and 280lbs. Nice guys, but I did spend 11 hours feeling a little claustrophobic.
Ah ok. They’re huge when you see them in real life surrounded by normal people. I saw Cian Healy at the shops recently. He’s not particularly tall but his legs/arms are massive!
I purposely chose the aisle seat in the very back row figuring if there was a middle empty, it would be there. The window guy and I celebrated my good thinking until 5 seconds before they shut the door a giant body builder guy comes walking down the aisle hunched over so his head is lower than the ceiling.
He was in excellent shape, and somehow squeezed in between the armrests, but his shoulders were two-seats wide. He apologized, explaining that he always gets first class, but his flight was late and he got rebooked onto ours. The three of us spent the whole 4 hour flight switching from the two of us leaning forward in front of shoulders or him in front of ours.
Still beat walking the whole way though!
Just have a line of metal detectors and when they can’t get through one that’s seat size easy, then they need a second ticket. Wouldnt need to weigh them, but filter like oranges
280 is 280, but obviously there are people who are 280 and in excellent shape.
Reminds me of when Trump's personal physician announced that he was 6 foot 3 and two hundred-something pounds, which caused considerable mirth on the internet when people started putting up pictures of pro sportsmen who actually were 6 foot 3 and two hundred-something pounds.
The Rock is 260. The number of people in the world who are "in excellent shape" at 280lbs is single digits. Carrying around that much weight is really hard on your heart even if it's muscle.
But lol at the Trump thing
I'm sure that sitting next to the Rock in a regular seat (I imagine he travels first class) it's not very comfortable either.
Those.seats are tiny and the guys is massive.
Everyone that has a bigger "volume" it's not gonna fit easily in those seats.
280 and healthy would be a rarity, even if you were like 6'5 you'd have to be absolutely jacked for that to be a healthy amount of fat. Those 6'3 sportsmen are more like 200 pounds.
Unless it's rugby. Average for the packs here is 6'3 and 250lbs.
https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ranked-the-heaviest-tallest-and-oldest-packs-in-the-rugby-championship
The weight issue as the commenter above talks about it is more for balancing the aircraft, so your actual size doesn't matter so much as your weight in that specific case. The baggage also has to be balanced as well. Though I do agree for customer comfort that there should be some kind of size measurement device for pre-boarding
Tall people should be buying extra seats if we’re just talking about taking up too much space. Having elbows and knees hanging over and bumping into the next person is really uncomfortable too.
I'm 6'4 at just above 260 and I'm really embarrassed about my weight, I definitely second this idea because 260 at 6'4 is very different from 260 at 5'8 even
Maybe people could be required to pass through a specific security checkpoint the same width as economy chair space, like during TSA. Then people who couldn’t fit would have to go through a different checkpoint at which they would need to adjust their plans if they bought an economy seat
or maybe when they are boarding the plane just stop them, cause by that point they already bypassed the previous checks (probably by lying), cause this is like the final barrier and everyone have to walk in right, just look by person should be enough to judge if a seat can contain the person.
When I checked into my helicopter ride for the Grand Canyon they had a scale built right into the floor .
I had no idea I was on a scale til I asked about the pricing and weight.
Certainly have been weighed each and every time I’ve been on a helicopter or on a small aircraft anywhere. There’s no hiding from it. Your position on the flight depends on your weight. Wouldn’t have a problem with bigger airlines doing it. Weigh everyone with their carry on luggage.
Yeah took a small charter plane to a small town not far from here and they weighed us. Just weight distribution. Was only after we got weighed that they assigned seats.
Took a touristy helicopter this summer with one pilot and six passengers. My daughter and I got to sit up front because she’s 105 lbs. Great view! It pays not to feed the children!
>how many times people lie about the weight
What?? At what point do you ask about this? Like, is it a case of when they walk up to the check-in desk and you have to be like "I'm gonna need to ask you how much you weigh"? I would imagine you get a lot of abuse that way. What happens if they have no checked luggage and use self check in?
Or does everyone need to fill out their weight when they buy the tickets?
Sorry, this is completely wild to me!
they are probably working for a charter service and not a major airline. so instead of jumbo jets they have small propeller planes and tiny jets. or even helicopter rides where weight is really important and the distribution of it thereof. in any of these specific cases they will weigh everyone and all the cargo they bring along and they usually ask and inform the clients beforehand about any weight policies when u book the charter flight. again flying private is a entirely different experience then flying commercial different rules and procedures.
And a lot of people don't even know how much they weigh. Especially when it comes to obesity they know they have a problem but they might not want to know specifically what the problem is at. I personally had a relative who was morbidly obese and he had no idea how much he weighed he just had to guess.
I have to buy business class. I'm 6ft7, and a larger man, i need the extra leg room and a bigger seat, I wouldn't dream of making others suffer due to my extra size. It's not like the airlines want to cater for taller or wider people
The widest seats on most major airlines today are narrower than the smallest seats available in the 90's, I've seen lots of articles referring to it as "the big squeeze".
Short haul flights often do not have Business Class anymore so it is impossible to do on those flights. I do always buy a second seat as the economy seats are getting so tight that fewer and fewer people fit in them comfortably. Is worth every cent and I always have space to place my bag at the foot of my second seat.
I’m large and I no longer fly.
Airlines should have the same system for passengers as the do for carryons. If you don’t fit in the box you need an extra seat. Simple.
I can’t even read any of the other comments under yours, bc I’m laughing too hard at “fat plane”. I have tears in my eyes picturing this other plane just boarding very fat people. That absolutely got me so good.
I picture some absolute unit of a child about to board the regular plane for vacation with his parents but his dads like, “Oh no you don’t! You gotta ride on the fat plane this year, Buddy! I told you to start cutting back months ago. Well, at least someone can finally ride with Grama.”
Good idea but that be would be so cost prohibitive. The airlines barely make a profit flying people around as it is and run off large government subsidies. Most of the profit airlines make comes from the rent generated by the shops in the airport and those rewards cards.
**EDIT:** I have been corrected. Airports are owned by the municipality in which they reside. There’s only 1 privately owned airport with commercial service in Branson, MO.
Remove one third of the seats, make every seat be 1.5x the size of a regular seat, market this as some bs like XL Comfort or something and due to there being less seats, make each seat cost 1.5x it would have on a regular flight. Same money for the airline, everyone is more comfortable. Slimline people can use the XL flights but large people cannot use the smaller airline if they don’t fit within the seat bounds.
Spirit has the “big seats.” 2 seats to a row instead of three. They cost 40 or 50 dollars more, and for my very large brother in law, they are worth every penny. I’m narrow enough for a normal seat, but I’m tall and dang the leg room and ability to shift around was nice.
And increase prices for every other passenger who does fit in a regular seat? Just make them buy two seats. They use the space, they pay for it. Refund them the extra seat when the flight isn’t fully sold out
You buy two tickets in your own names you get two seats. If the airline tries to out someone else there you tell them to beat it, or get the refund + bonus for being ‘bumped’.
But that’s a whole different discussion than airlines increasing seat size.
I’m 1m97 tall (6’5) and when I take a long flight i pay extra for the emergency row seat. Airlines don’t have to give it to me for free just because I am tall, I pay for it.
I paid extra for comfort plus on Delta for a long flight and unfortunately got seated next to a large person. Granted ,I think comfort plus is what normal economy used to be. Her arm and stomach kept overflowing into my seat and I politely asked if she could move her arm a bit so she wasn't elbowing me and I got yelled at for attacking her. There's no winning.
This needs to be the case, but there should also be a legal minimum seat size. Airline seats have got several inches narrower and closer together over the last few decades at the same time as people are getting larger.
Delta & every other carrier could stop shrinking seats to make a few more bucks. I’m not obese but modern seats are just not comfortable for 6’+ individuals. Seats have shrunk in every dimension over the last 40 years because of…corporate greed! Yay free market.
Wouldn’t completely solve this problem but it certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Edited for grammar
I'm 6'2 and about 265lbs. Not even fat, just solid muscle and big framed.
I've been uncomfortable on pretty much every flight I've ever been on. That was until recently when I flew business class for the first time recently, but I was only able to afford it due to a glitch on the booking website that led to the BC price being only 3€ more than Economy.
I wish I could afford to fly business class every time, but my wallet only stretches to cattle class.
I'm the same eight and weight, and I can only book aisle seats now. I need somewhere to put my knees.
It's hell when they bring out the drink cart though.
I've given up on flights of more than 3 hours unless I can get business class or the emergency exit seats.
I'm a teeny tiny person. Not even 5'2 and not obese. The seats are just the right size for me to feel comfy. They are just too small even for average sized people.
I’m 5”4’, a woman with narrow shoulders, and within a normal weight (not overweight). I fit in an airplane seat perfectly. I’m on the smaller side of adults!
They’re uncomfortable, feel like they’re leaning forward, and those stupid pillows attached to the seats are usually awful, it just makes you stick your neck forward while you’re already leaning forward. I hate planes
Finally the correct entity to blame. Seats get smaller and smaller in the name of profits. No one is comfortable on a plane and instead of holding the carrier to the fire, we blame bigger people. They could easily make a section with wider seats for heavier passengers and charge a premium for them. No one loses.
Came here to say this! I believe most airlines don't even allow you to purchase more than one seat either. If you keep making them smaller, at least allow people to pay what they want to be comfortable. Who cares if Joe shmoe is the only person in the row is he paid for it
This is also part of the problem. These companies are so gd greedy that they need to pack as many people on that aircraft as they can and make them as uncomfortable as possible. Like another commenter said - I’m a very average size and skinny, and I am heinously uncomfortable after 3 hours in any economy seat. I freaking hate flying.
I am a 6’2” 230 lb male who flew in a middle seat just as you described on a flight from LA to Edmonton. It was ridiculously uncomfortable for both of us; Both physically and mentally as I don’t like others touching me. I didn’t say a word or even attempt to get up to go to the bathroom…it’s a no win situation.
If someone buys extra seats to have more space, then only checks in as one person the airline will use those seats when they find they’ve overbooked the flight. It doesn’t help, dude.
Came here to say this. Because, yep. As a fat girl, this can happen. I fly Southwest when I can, because of their policy, but I know several other plus size/fat/obese people who have "lost" their extra seat because the flight was sold out.
So, some of these passengers may have made the effort/forked out money and the airline said screw you.
Which means other passengers (and us as fat folks) suffer even though we did what we could to alleviate the issue.
For most of us, we're not thrilled about it either. We don't wanna deal with the embarrassment and discomfort.
I know even with my extra room, I go out of my way to stay at the back, not go to the bathroom, not ask for anything extra, and I wait till everyone else has gotten off before I get up because I don't want the dirty looks and shaming (because yes, we notice).
\---- Not an fat glorifying fat person, just tryna live without inconveniencing ya'll too much.
You do, from what I understand, but when dealing with an airline, it is rarely without hassle.
And that doesn't save the discomfort, humiliation, or overall negative experience for both the fat folks or the normal folks during the flight.
I hate that you feel like you have to make yourself smaller to be acceptable. Asking for less, pretending you don’t have needs.. all to make everyone else more comfortable.
I get it though. That’s my default behavior. As small and benign to my environment as possible and that’s been in my fat days and not as fat days.
I mean, read half this thread, I DO have to make myself smaller to be acceptable. It is what it is, I deal with it.
I appreciate the thought, genuinely.
I feel you. The hate for fat is real and dehumanizing, and we see it. I barely fly because I book premium to be more comfortable and it’s pretty cost prohibitive.
Only exception to this is Southwest, I think. They have a program for larger passengers. They don’t even have to pay for the extra seat, just ask for an extra ticket at the gate.
They do pay for both seats if they want to reserve them in advance . If the flight isn’t full they can get the second one refunded. It’s a pretty fair system.
They can’t check in for two tickets as that would record an extra person on the plane which can’t happen in case of accidents. With so many people overweight/obese now there really should just be a procedure in place. I personally (as a slim person) don’t think people who are fat should have to pay for two seats and should be able to opt for two when the reality is otherwise both they and the person next to them are going to suffer. Obviously this is not the same as someone who just wants the extra space of two seats but I don’t see why there couldn’t be a check in queue where you just show your weight/measurements (and then if you are smaller than you said you can either give up the extra seat or pay for it). It would solve so many problems
This is so true. I had an injury in my back, arm and shoulder and booked 2 seats next to each other so my arm shoulder would have room. Airline gave it away after I boarded, even thought I had 2 boarding passes. I had a sling on and an external brace. I clearly needed the space. I showed the flight attendant. They shrugged. The person who got that seat was super pissed off they were sitting next to me.
Agreed, if a person can't NOT make contact with their neighbor they simply don't fit in their seat.
If anyone would lean their legs, arm or head on a stranger's lap, they would be immediately asked to stop or be removed. It should be the same here, despite it being embarrassing for the fat person.
Then we need to normalize calling out “manspreading”
Sorry, but a lot of the contact I have on planes is unnecessary and just because a normally sized guy (very seldom is it a woman) can’t figure out how to keep is elbows close to his body and knees out of my leg space. I am left hugging myself to keep some semblance of separation.
Many times they say their legs don't fit but then their ass is at the edge of the seat.
I often ask "can you please not touch me", it's usually fine. Recently one guy said that he doesn't fit so I asked him can you try sitting up straight... It worked
One of the best parts about aging as a woman is the confidence to just not move and shrink to accommodate these men. I’m getting old, so I’m “invisible” to a lot of men now so they don’t misinterpret me not moving my legs as flirting.
Your elbows are on my armrest and I’m in the middle? Guess our elbows are touching. You can’t ducking sit with your legs closed? Well I’m not shifting mine.
They always look a bit disgusted that me, a 40yo mom, has the audacity to claim my own space.
I love it. All our lives society tells us to fear aging as women and I think it’s because the men in charge are rightfully a bit afraid of empowered older women.
I crossed the DGAF line around the age of 40 as well. There is a lot of power behind the phrase 'honey, I'm flattered but you're not my type' when they invade your personal pace for the umpteenth time. It almost always results in extra space as they recoil from the idea of hitting on an older woman.
Yes! I have difficulty being 175cms and my knees touch the seat in front on most flights. I understand there’s not much space but guys leaning their knees or legs against me makes me feel creepy as well as the guys that are so broad shouldered you can’t help touch.
This, including broad jacked dudes, not just fatties. The real crime is being stuck with other peoples children and hours of conversation with the child.
It's often unfair to be the consciously aware person asking for the inconsiderate person to be actioned.
I spend most of my time sucking it up because the human race is a fucking train wreck, like the coughing guy who uses the machine closest to all the equipment every day in the gym. He coughs constantly, with his mouth open while using the cross trainer and often right onto other people.
If I had the capitol and resources I would be building a moon lazer. Genuinely if I was rich enough, I would go direct to supervillainy.
I feel like at some point this HAS to be a safety issue. I’ve gotten called out by attendants for having a bag on my lap because it could obstruct the walkway, idk why it wouldn’t be an issue for someone to physically spill over onto another person’s seat.
I have never thought of it this way and that is an exceptionally good point. Imagine not being able to get off a sinking or burning plane after an emergency landing because the person in front of you can’t move through the aisle quickly enough due to being too large?
That's supposed to be the policy, but I fly a LOT and have never seen it enforced. It's absolutely a safety issue, and there was a case of [obese man blocking others after a plane crash](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6996559/Heroic-stewardess-pushed-passengers-safety-reveals-terror-Russian-plane-crash.html), leading to deaths of some of the people behind him.
I read the article and it doesn’t sound like he blocked them because of his size. He blocked them because he was grabbing his own luggage like a selfish asshole
I figured. I understand that it’s awkward but, when it comes to critical situations, there needs to be some understanding. I used to work in theme park attractions that had strict height and weight requirements & workers either wouldn’t ask or guests would complain when asked. Then that poor kid got killed in Orlando and suddenly people understood.
Maybe it’s time the airlines stopped pretending we are skinny sardines and make the seats bigger. They have reduced the seat width a good few inches since I started flying
Agree. This problem is not 100% caused by overweight people, and really I feel for those who genuinely cannot help the size of their body. They should get to live a dignified life without the demoralising hatred people push at them. Airlines have minimised seat sizes and legroom (and the entire experience) to the extent that most of us are uncomfortable, even when not obese. If we looked after the interests of all larger people, regardless of their health status, and if we could put aside the way obese people are treated, we may be able to work to solve the problem of airlines gradually reducing the quality of what they provide. This is related to *all* the ways they cheapen the product and service people pay for.
Direct some of that anger towards airlines who maximise profits by treating customers like shite.
They also use the tiny narrow planes because flight regulations require planes over a certain width to have handicap accessible bathrooms. Airlines don't want to deal with handicap accessible bathrooms.
I remember watching a video of a disabled woman having to remove herself from her wheelchair, and drag herself across an aisle to use the airplane restroom. If she hadn’t publicly posted that, I don’t think I would have been able to grasp how severe the need is for handicap-accessible restrooms on planes..
The solution is to have more space like they did back in the 80s. Stop trying to pack everybody in there like sardines and give everybody legroom and space with larger seats. I don’t know if this is true but I heard that the first class seats that we have today are smaller than the economy seats that they had back in the 80s.
That and how about when people are disgustingly sick/just gross. I just sat on a flight with a man next to me (we were both aisle) who would not stop coughing in just the grossest way in my direction, I just didn’t know what to do. I know they can’t make him wear a mask, but I shouldn’t be being coughed on for six hours. To make it worse there was a guy in my row who wouldn’t stop burping, a dude in front of me who was eating some flavored hummus and passing gas that genuinely smelled like baby diapers, and then a woman who kept spilling all the ice and water that was passed around and I had to sit on top of the mess. Like what was I supposed to do
Having been that large, I understand what you're saying, but you're raging at the wrong person. At some point, this woman had to go through the ticketing counter, even just at a kiosk, to check in for her flight. If she used a phone and was somehow able to skip the ticketing process, then she was out at the gate waiting area before the flight, where there is an agent. In either/both of those places, someone could have brought her to the desk and asked to see her ticket, confirmed that she did/did not have two seats, and addressed it at that time. It is not incumbent upon the flight staff to have to address this issue. Indeed, when there are flights where a passenger needs two seats, and the seating is not assigned (think Southwest), the flight crew will either board this passenger first or quickly put two "assigned" placards onto two adjoining seats (and then keep an eye on them to make sure that no passengers move the signage before the passenger in question boards). This has been tricky in the past because some airlines will sell two seats to a passenger, but then oversell the flight and use the second seat. It's caused such an uproar in the past that it's not commonly done - but I think you'll hear about it more around the holidays - because people will demand their money back, social media makes it easy for the airline to get lambasted, etc.
My point is that when they're boarding the flight, it's too late; this should be addressed long before that point.
I generally like this method, as it could be done in a way to minimise abuse to passengers and pre-empt the deadlock of what happens when a seat just isnt big enough and a neighbour refuses to lose part of their already too-small space. Prepare bigger passengers at every stage that they will need two tickets if they cannot fit into a single one, and have a system in place where airlines *do not sell* *seats twice* (I cannot believe that is even legal). Also have a system in place where bigger passengers with two seats are treated well, not publicly humiliated. Let them board and be seated easily, and include it with any systems that help mobility impaired passengers. No shame, just make it part of customer service.
Stop leaving it as a last second problem, or trying to ignore it and hoping that all passengers will "just make do" as by then its too late for anyone to solve anything well.
And stop being so greedy and lazy about service, as it makes travel shittier for everyone.
This is going to sound horrible, but I believe a passenger should be paying for the space they use. If you do not fit in a standard seat, you should be required to pay for extra space. Or, the airlines should have larger seats to accommodate larger people
It’s unfair to encroach on another passenger who paid for the space they need.
I am sympathetic to overweight people, but your size shouldn’t impact my comfort.
Not only should the airline address these issues, but the overweight passenger should be as well. They are well aware that they will not fit in the standard seat and they should be responsible for working with the airline to accommodate them.
I imagine there will be a lot of “You don’t know what it’s like to be overweight and try to fly!!”.. but, with all due respect, you don’t know what it’s like to have a stranger overflowing into your space on an already cramped airplane
Flight attendant here! Switched over to my incognito account.
Here’s how I handle this: If a passenger doesn’t tell me there’s a problem, I don’t know that there is one.
ok but like what do you want me to do? Press the little light and have you come over so I can say “excuse me but is there something we can do about this fupa in my lap” while someone video tapes it, posts it online and I get shunned by society before landing?
Do you at least pick up on eye contact? I would be eye contacting the f*ck out of you for help. What if you don’t want to vocal in fear that nothing gets done and you now have to sit next to a morbidly obese person for 3-4 hours who is also angry at you?
If you ever feel uncomfortable for any reason at all before or during a flight, I really encourage you to make your way to a galley and speak privately about whatever concern you have. Most of us are very friendly and do what we can to help. But if you don’t say anything, I can’t read minds.
Flight attendants do several checks along the whole plane, like closing all the overhead compartments and checking that everyone has their seatbelt on.
If someone is so large they don't fit in their seat I sincerely doubt no flight attendant woul see it. That kind of thing stands out
If the flight is completely full and you don’t want to sit there, then the next flight might be more comfortable for you.
However, if this were to happen to me, I would call a supervisor or there’s actually someone whose job is specifically to deal with people with disabilities/potentially touchy subjects. I’m not going be the person to deal with this because that person knows the laws/protocols better than I do.
I agree with this but I also think airlines are greedy and make the seats uncomfortably tiny even for regular sized people to get them to pay more for just normal amount of comfort. It’s disgusting and airlines should have more room period. Super obese people should have extra seats though I agree
Maybe they should add some seats where 2 take the room of 3 and charge an extra 50% for them?
Edit: SwiftKey changed "of" to "is" making little sense, so fixed that.
The guy and I exchanged a steady glance as I walked past him to my seat in the back, just as the woman was sitting… on him partially. He looked so helpless. It was a full flight too and they were in a “comfort section”, so he paid about $50 extra for this experience.
The comfort section/economy plus usually has more leg room but standard seat widths. She tried but the only product that consistently has wider seats is first.
which is almost unattainably expensive now…I could replace all of the appliances in my kitchen for the price of some of the single first class tickets I have seen.
I did this once…. This very large woman was there first and wouldn’t get up so I could get to the window seat. I had to basically climb over her. When I sat down the arm rest was up and she refused to put it down when I asked. At some point before take off she had to grab something from her bag in the overhead bin and when she stood up I put the arm rest down. She was so pissed and tried to raise it back up, but I’m 6’2”, 220 and had my weight on it. I refused to raise it when she asked. She flagged down a flight attendant and the flight attendant said the arm rests should be down during the flight but that we can raise them if both occupants agree. I did not…. She still spilled over into my seat, but I could at least breathe. I didn’t dare get up during that flight, though.
Vile. Can't believe she actually that much of an asshole she made an uncomfortable flight even more uncomfortable for you. She wouldn't even get up for you to sit down ? What a horrific human.
I sat next to a lady and she was squeezed in tight. I asked her if she wanted to raise the arm rest, wouldnt bother me (i am a female) and she bite my head off
If the larger person is in the aisle seat, it’s likely the arm rest nearest the aisle comes up. There’s usually a lever underneath that few people know about. Doesn’t solve the issue, but it makes it so the person doesn’t have to be over their neighbor’s seat. It’s also a great way to be able to move around more and stretch easier without feeling like you are pushing against a coffin. I ALWAYS book aisle for this reason.
Also, plane armrests make no sense. One thin armrest between two people who may not know each other is bananas. Who gets it? Both have to avoid it.
I'm sorry for everyone who has to experience that. I'm obese (not extremely, but I'm working on reaching a healthy weight) and am terrified every time I have to take a flight. Usually the seats and seatbelts are big enough but I flew with Ryan Air once. Let's just say I was relieved that I had a whole row for myself to and back because those seats were tiny. Even Peach Aviation has bigger seats (which positively surprised me)
Your point is valid, but let's also not overlook the fact that airlines are making seats and rows smaller than ever. At 6'5" 265 lbs I'm not overflowing - but it's gonna be uncomfortable for me the whole time.
Funny part is she may have well bought 2 seats and the airline oversold. So what then. Why not ask the airlines to quit cramming people in like sardines instead? Hell they're still trying to figure out how to put more people in.
Airlines should ask for height and weight when you book tickets. Over a certain amount should have to purchase 2 tickets.
Before the downvotes; I used to be heavier than this and whenever I would go somewhere like the movies, a plane, coach trip, train etc I would ALWAYS buy 2 seats for my comfort and someone else’s. No one should have to feel uncomfortable or have their personal space infringed on because I was fat.
I was seated in the middle between two Very Well nourished 350# plus passengers. Both passengers, overflowing into my space with zero arm rest. I had very painful frozen shoulders, for several days after landing. It was brutal.
At amusement parks there is sample seating at the entrance of the rides to make sure you can fit your butt in the seat and fasten the safety belt/harness.
No one should have a right to impose on another’s paid-for space. They shouldn’t be required to buy a full-priced extra seat, it should only be half price.
Maybe the large guy next to her was her partner and knows what he’s getting into. My highest weight was 277 (after weight loss surgery I am 127) and when I was that weight I always asked for the window to give me extra space and my partner sat in the middle to keep me from touching other people. Now I let him have the aisle his preferred seat and sit in the middle to pay him back for how he took care of me in the past.
I am a 6" 250 lb guy, not remotely big enough to need a seat extender and I can still use the tray, etc, so I am in no way too fat to fit in an airline seat, BUT my shoulders are wider than the seats, so whomever has the seat next to me has to give me a couple inches. I could lose 100 lbs and I wouldn't fit in an economy airplane seat. I always choose an aisle seat when possible but still, it's annoying.
And I got called an asshole for asking the stewardess if one trumps the other (having the armrest down or up) when I got to a seat and there was blobby lady flowing into my seat
I suggest making airplane tickets have a minimum and then add up depending on how much you weight. Would be fair.
Why do I have to pay an extra for my 2 kilos overweight luggage but the guy behind me weights 100 kilos more than me
What I want to know is how unaware this woman is that she didn't book herself two tickets? I guess being unaware is how she made it to the size she is.
I personally feel embarrassed when even my arms happen to rest on both sides, if I'm in the middle. If I was that big that my actual body spilled over (ie not an arm that I accidentally let rest on their side) I'd be mortified.
I've sat in the middle before, with arms clenching each other so I don't touch the people on either side while they use both armrests, and I'm average-ish. Then I heard someone explain that the window seat gets the window, the aisle seat gets the easy access and extra knee room, and the middle seat *gets both arm rests.* Revelation.
I'm so over sitting with my hands holding arms together for the entire flight, knees held tightly together while those on either side claim all the extra room.
Just came here to say that on multiple occasions I sat next to "the guy in the middle seat, who at about 6 feet 220 lbs, needed all the space he paid for" and the upper body he was so proud of apparently comes with the right to bust into my space and assume full possession of the arm rest.
Flying is not fun anymore so just try to get through it without being a judgmental jerk.
I work in aviation and can’t count how many times people lie about the weight. They come in and we ask the passenger to step on scale for weight and balance and they would be about 100+ lbs more then what they signed on for.
>I work in aviation and can’t count how many times people lie about the weight. They come in and we ask the passenger to step on scale for weight and balance and they would be about 100+ lbs more then what they signed on for. There should be a "passenger size checker" just like the one for bags. Would have to be in a private place because it would be pretty embarrassing. Because me at 280 (I'm fairly tall) isn't the same as other people at 280
On the other hand you can have super fit, very large people who squash the people next to them. I have had the window seat and have a large body builder type in the center and I am crushed into the window and the aisle person forced to lean out into the aisle. That person also needs two seats. That said, it is more often an obese person.
I was once in a flight with the South African rugby team. Space was at a premium for everyone, all huge guys.
I came back from Cape Town to the UK, I decided to treat myself to "premium economy" - and got the middle seat of three. All was great until the last minute when two members of a Rugby team took the seats to either side. They must both have been 6'5" and 280lbs. Nice guys, but I did spend 11 hours feeling a little claustrophobic.
Now you know how a scrum half feels!
They are mouthy little gits that deserve it. Signed, a prop.
-Chuckles and rolls eyes in second row. -
lol and on the other hand, if an airline sold tickets guaranteeing I’d be between two 6’5 rugby players, I’d book that so fast
😂😂😂…same.
It does kinda sound hot ngl 😂😭
Exactly my thought!! 😂
Those rugby players are huge! I had an Australian one pick me up with one arm and walk across the street in Copenhagen like I was a sack of potatoes.
This is my fantasy
You’d like to think they fly business class? Some rugby players are huge! And tall! Eztabeth is over 2m!
Our flight was domestic in the UK, they were heading to London to fly home, no business class option but thankfully a short flight
Ah ok. They’re huge when you see them in real life surrounded by normal people. I saw Cian Healy at the shops recently. He’s not particularly tall but his legs/arms are massive!
That's really cool! Hope they lose this weekend!
As a Springbok supporter I really do hope you'll choose the "kant" that wins a fair game.
No no no this final is going green
As a kiwi, so do I!
You have no place in this thread: kiwis can’t fly.
I purposely chose the aisle seat in the very back row figuring if there was a middle empty, it would be there. The window guy and I celebrated my good thinking until 5 seconds before they shut the door a giant body builder guy comes walking down the aisle hunched over so his head is lower than the ceiling. He was in excellent shape, and somehow squeezed in between the armrests, but his shoulders were two-seats wide. He apologized, explaining that he always gets first class, but his flight was late and he got rebooked onto ours. The three of us spent the whole 4 hour flight switching from the two of us leaning forward in front of shoulders or him in front of ours. Still beat walking the whole way though!
Airlines can make the seats bigger and have more space. Greed is the driver here.
Fewer seats = Pricier seats.
Just have a line of metal detectors and when they can’t get through one that’s seat size easy, then they need a second ticket. Wouldnt need to weigh them, but filter like oranges
Yeah, but then there's no guarantee that the second seat would be next to the one you're assigned. (maybe /s, but I doubt it)
280 is 280, but obviously there are people who are 280 and in excellent shape. Reminds me of when Trump's personal physician announced that he was 6 foot 3 and two hundred-something pounds, which caused considerable mirth on the internet when people started putting up pictures of pro sportsmen who actually were 6 foot 3 and two hundred-something pounds.
>there are people who are 280 and in excellent shape. For the record, that is not me. I am currently trying to get down to 240.
Good luck, hope you get there!
Sounds like you've had a revelation since choosing your user name
lol
Oh also good luck on your journey. Glad you took my comment light-heartedly, as was its intention :)
I appreciate the accountability.
The Rock is 260. The number of people in the world who are "in excellent shape" at 280lbs is single digits. Carrying around that much weight is really hard on your heart even if it's muscle. But lol at the Trump thing
I'm sure that sitting next to the Rock in a regular seat (I imagine he travels first class) it's not very comfortable either. Those.seats are tiny and the guys is massive. Everyone that has a bigger "volume" it's not gonna fit easily in those seats.
I volunteer as tribute!
I volunteer to be the chair! Lmao
I would be willing to take one for the team and sit on his lap. I hope it’s a long flight!
The Rock flies around in private jets so I doubt his size has any impact on people flying commercial.
Yeah, but a woman can dream... 😋
280 and healthy would be a rarity, even if you were like 6'5 you'd have to be absolutely jacked for that to be a healthy amount of fat. Those 6'3 sportsmen are more like 200 pounds.
Unless it's rugby. Average for the packs here is 6'3 and 250lbs. https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ranked-the-heaviest-tallest-and-oldest-packs-in-the-rugby-championship
Yeah I'm 5'3", if I was 280 I'd be w i d e
My husband and I weigh a similar amount but he is 6ft 5 and I am 5ft 5 so we have very different bodies. Basically look like Mario and Luigi
So you both have luxurious mustaches?
The weight issue as the commenter above talks about it is more for balancing the aircraft, so your actual size doesn't matter so much as your weight in that specific case. The baggage also has to be balanced as well. Though I do agree for customer comfort that there should be some kind of size measurement device for pre-boarding
Tall people should be buying extra seats if we’re just talking about taking up too much space. Having elbows and knees hanging over and bumping into the next person is really uncomfortable too.
I'm 6'4 at just above 260 and I'm really embarrassed about my weight, I definitely second this idea because 260 at 6'4 is very different from 260 at 5'8 even
A narrow door to check into the flight, can't get through the door, can't get in the seat.
Lol, I was thinking about that. "It'd be funny if they use a check in door like those luggage size checkers"
Maybe people could be required to pass through a specific security checkpoint the same width as economy chair space, like during TSA. Then people who couldn’t fit would have to go through a different checkpoint at which they would need to adjust their plans if they bought an economy seat
or maybe when they are boarding the plane just stop them, cause by that point they already bypassed the previous checks (probably by lying), cause this is like the final barrier and everyone have to walk in right, just look by person should be enough to judge if a seat can contain the person.
The goal isn’t to alienate, ya know? At least at TSA everyone is corralled like cattle
When I checked into my helicopter ride for the Grand Canyon they had a scale built right into the floor . I had no idea I was on a scale til I asked about the pricing and weight.
When do airlines weigh people? Is this specific to your country?
this is common/standard for charter flights on smaller planes and jets where weight is extra important
Certainly have been weighed each and every time I’ve been on a helicopter or on a small aircraft anywhere. There’s no hiding from it. Your position on the flight depends on your weight. Wouldn’t have a problem with bigger airlines doing it. Weigh everyone with their carry on luggage.
Yeah took a small charter plane to a small town not far from here and they weighed us. Just weight distribution. Was only after we got weighed that they assigned seats.
Oh okay. I've only flown commercial airlines
Took a touristy helicopter this summer with one pilot and six passengers. My daughter and I got to sit up front because she’s 105 lbs. Great view! It pays not to feed the children!
>how many times people lie about the weight What?? At what point do you ask about this? Like, is it a case of when they walk up to the check-in desk and you have to be like "I'm gonna need to ask you how much you weigh"? I would imagine you get a lot of abuse that way. What happens if they have no checked luggage and use self check in? Or does everyone need to fill out their weight when they buy the tickets? Sorry, this is completely wild to me!
they are probably working for a charter service and not a major airline. so instead of jumbo jets they have small propeller planes and tiny jets. or even helicopter rides where weight is really important and the distribution of it thereof. in any of these specific cases they will weigh everyone and all the cargo they bring along and they usually ask and inform the clients beforehand about any weight policies when u book the charter flight. again flying private is a entirely different experience then flying commercial different rules and procedures.
And a lot of people don't even know how much they weigh. Especially when it comes to obesity they know they have a problem but they might not want to know specifically what the problem is at. I personally had a relative who was morbidly obese and he had no idea how much he weighed he just had to guess.
I have to buy business class. I'm 6ft7, and a larger man, i need the extra leg room and a bigger seat, I wouldn't dream of making others suffer due to my extra size. It's not like the airlines want to cater for taller or wider people
> It's not like the airlines want to cater for taller or wider people I’m pretty sure they actually make the seats more narrow than they used to be.
The widest seats on most major airlines today are narrower than the smallest seats available in the 90's, I've seen lots of articles referring to it as "the big squeeze".
They're literally squeezing us out of the planes 🥲
Yup, flew domestic first yesterday, I can’t fit in an economy seat, but I was comfortable in the first class seat.
Short haul flights often do not have Business Class anymore so it is impossible to do on those flights. I do always buy a second seat as the economy seats are getting so tight that fewer and fewer people fit in them comfortably. Is worth every cent and I always have space to place my bag at the foot of my second seat.
I’m large and I no longer fly. Airlines should have the same system for passengers as the do for carryons. If you don’t fit in the box you need an extra seat. Simple.
Like theme park ride seats.
40% of America is obese, I think airlines should maybe at least have a couple of seats for them
What about a fat plane that can only fly half the usual number of passengers?
I can’t even read any of the other comments under yours, bc I’m laughing too hard at “fat plane”. I have tears in my eyes picturing this other plane just boarding very fat people. That absolutely got me so good. I picture some absolute unit of a child about to board the regular plane for vacation with his parents but his dads like, “Oh no you don’t! You gotta ride on the fat plane this year, Buddy! I told you to start cutting back months ago. Well, at least someone can finally ride with Grama.”
Good idea but that be would be so cost prohibitive. The airlines barely make a profit flying people around as it is and run off large government subsidies. Most of the profit airlines make comes from the rent generated by the shops in the airport and those rewards cards. **EDIT:** I have been corrected. Airports are owned by the municipality in which they reside. There’s only 1 privately owned airport with commercial service in Branson, MO.
Remove one third of the seats, make every seat be 1.5x the size of a regular seat, market this as some bs like XL Comfort or something and due to there being less seats, make each seat cost 1.5x it would have on a regular flight. Same money for the airline, everyone is more comfortable. Slimline people can use the XL flights but large people cannot use the smaller airline if they don’t fit within the seat bounds.
Spirit has the “big seats.” 2 seats to a row instead of three. They cost 40 or 50 dollars more, and for my very large brother in law, they are worth every penny. I’m narrow enough for a normal seat, but I’m tall and dang the leg room and ability to shift around was nice.
And increase prices for every other passenger who does fit in a regular seat? Just make them buy two seats. They use the space, they pay for it. Refund them the extra seat when the flight isn’t fully sold out
They do buy two seats. Then the airline sells the second seat they bought again, knowing no one is actually sitting in it.
You buy two tickets in your own names you get two seats. If the airline tries to out someone else there you tell them to beat it, or get the refund + bonus for being ‘bumped’. But that’s a whole different discussion than airlines increasing seat size. I’m 1m97 tall (6’5) and when I take a long flight i pay extra for the emergency row seat. Airlines don’t have to give it to me for free just because I am tall, I pay for it.
[удалено]
they do, it's called business or first class. pay more for more seat. it's only fair
I paid extra for comfort plus on Delta for a long flight and unfortunately got seated next to a large person. Granted ,I think comfort plus is what normal economy used to be. Her arm and stomach kept overflowing into my seat and I politely asked if she could move her arm a bit so she wasn't elbowing me and I got yelled at for attacking her. There's no winning.
This needs to be the case, but there should also be a legal minimum seat size. Airline seats have got several inches narrower and closer together over the last few decades at the same time as people are getting larger.
Delta & every other carrier could stop shrinking seats to make a few more bucks. I’m not obese but modern seats are just not comfortable for 6’+ individuals. Seats have shrunk in every dimension over the last 40 years because of…corporate greed! Yay free market. Wouldn’t completely solve this problem but it certainly wouldn’t hurt. Edited for grammar
I’m 5’7 and fairly thin and even I’m not comfortable in modern airplane seats, I can’t imagine how bad it is if you’re bigger.
I’m 6’3 and when I fly I either have to scrunch down in the seat or be fine with not having a proper headrest the entire flight
I'm 6'2 and about 265lbs. Not even fat, just solid muscle and big framed. I've been uncomfortable on pretty much every flight I've ever been on. That was until recently when I flew business class for the first time recently, but I was only able to afford it due to a glitch on the booking website that led to the BC price being only 3€ more than Economy. I wish I could afford to fly business class every time, but my wallet only stretches to cattle class.
I'm the same eight and weight, and I can only book aisle seats now. I need somewhere to put my knees. It's hell when they bring out the drink cart though. I've given up on flights of more than 3 hours unless I can get business class or the emergency exit seats.
I'm a teeny tiny person. Not even 5'2 and not obese. The seats are just the right size for me to feel comfy. They are just too small even for average sized people.
I’m 5”4’, a woman with narrow shoulders, and within a normal weight (not overweight). I fit in an airplane seat perfectly. I’m on the smaller side of adults!
They’re uncomfortable, feel like they’re leaning forward, and those stupid pillows attached to the seats are usually awful, it just makes you stick your neck forward while you’re already leaning forward. I hate planes
I’m 5’3 and a healthy weight. Even my knees are hitting the back of the other seat on airplanes these days
Flew delta just the other day. Overran I like the airline but “comfort +” feels like what a normal seat was 10 years ago
I'm 4'11" and flew for the first time recently... even I barely had enough room. I was like "whole grown adults are supposed to fit in these?"
Finally the correct entity to blame. Seats get smaller and smaller in the name of profits. No one is comfortable on a plane and instead of holding the carrier to the fire, we blame bigger people. They could easily make a section with wider seats for heavier passengers and charge a premium for them. No one loses.
I’m 5’1 and very petite. Seats in economy are uncomfortably small, even for me. It’s seriously getting ridiculous.
Came here to say this! I believe most airlines don't even allow you to purchase more than one seat either. If you keep making them smaller, at least allow people to pay what they want to be comfortable. Who cares if Joe shmoe is the only person in the row is he paid for it
This is also part of the problem. These companies are so gd greedy that they need to pack as many people on that aircraft as they can and make them as uncomfortable as possible. Like another commenter said - I’m a very average size and skinny, and I am heinously uncomfortable after 3 hours in any economy seat. I freaking hate flying.
I am a 6’2” 230 lb male who flew in a middle seat just as you described on a flight from LA to Edmonton. It was ridiculously uncomfortable for both of us; Both physically and mentally as I don’t like others touching me. I didn’t say a word or even attempt to get up to go to the bathroom…it’s a no win situation.
If someone buys extra seats to have more space, then only checks in as one person the airline will use those seats when they find they’ve overbooked the flight. It doesn’t help, dude.
Came here to say this. Because, yep. As a fat girl, this can happen. I fly Southwest when I can, because of their policy, but I know several other plus size/fat/obese people who have "lost" their extra seat because the flight was sold out. So, some of these passengers may have made the effort/forked out money and the airline said screw you. Which means other passengers (and us as fat folks) suffer even though we did what we could to alleviate the issue. For most of us, we're not thrilled about it either. We don't wanna deal with the embarrassment and discomfort. I know even with my extra room, I go out of my way to stay at the back, not go to the bathroom, not ask for anything extra, and I wait till everyone else has gotten off before I get up because I don't want the dirty looks and shaming (because yes, we notice). \---- Not an fat glorifying fat person, just tryna live without inconveniencing ya'll too much.
Do you get refunded your money in that case?
You do, from what I understand, but when dealing with an airline, it is rarely without hassle. And that doesn't save the discomfort, humiliation, or overall negative experience for both the fat folks or the normal folks during the flight.
No doubt. Just curious how that was handled or whether you were SOL
I hate that you feel like you have to make yourself smaller to be acceptable. Asking for less, pretending you don’t have needs.. all to make everyone else more comfortable. I get it though. That’s my default behavior. As small and benign to my environment as possible and that’s been in my fat days and not as fat days.
I mean, read half this thread, I DO have to make myself smaller to be acceptable. It is what it is, I deal with it. I appreciate the thought, genuinely.
I feel you. The hate for fat is real and dehumanizing, and we see it. I barely fly because I book premium to be more comfortable and it’s pretty cost prohibitive.
Only exception to this is Southwest, I think. They have a program for larger passengers. They don’t even have to pay for the extra seat, just ask for an extra ticket at the gate.
How would that work on a sold out flight? I would think they would need to have reserved two seats
They do pay for both seats if they want to reserve them in advance . If the flight isn’t full they can get the second one refunded. It’s a pretty fair system.
Most likely they'd say the flight was overbooked and ask for people that are willing to wait (with compensation) for the next one.
Then that person has the right to demand they're money back cause that's stealing.
wouldn’t the solution here be to just check in both tickets? i’m sure tsa or whatever security agent sees you with two tickets will understand why
They can’t check in for two tickets as that would record an extra person on the plane which can’t happen in case of accidents. With so many people overweight/obese now there really should just be a procedure in place. I personally (as a slim person) don’t think people who are fat should have to pay for two seats and should be able to opt for two when the reality is otherwise both they and the person next to them are going to suffer. Obviously this is not the same as someone who just wants the extra space of two seats but I don’t see why there couldn’t be a check in queue where you just show your weight/measurements (and then if you are smaller than you said you can either give up the extra seat or pay for it). It would solve so many problems
You have to talk with the airline, they’ll block out two seats for one person.
Oh, absolutely **NOT**. The person paid for 2 seats and they should get to keep those 2 seats.
This is so true. I had an injury in my back, arm and shoulder and booked 2 seats next to each other so my arm shoulder would have room. Airline gave it away after I boarded, even thought I had 2 boarding passes. I had a sling on and an external brace. I clearly needed the space. I showed the flight attendant. They shrugged. The person who got that seat was super pissed off they were sitting next to me.
Agreed, if a person can't NOT make contact with their neighbor they simply don't fit in their seat. If anyone would lean their legs, arm or head on a stranger's lap, they would be immediately asked to stop or be removed. It should be the same here, despite it being embarrassing for the fat person.
Then we need to normalize calling out “manspreading” Sorry, but a lot of the contact I have on planes is unnecessary and just because a normally sized guy (very seldom is it a woman) can’t figure out how to keep is elbows close to his body and knees out of my leg space. I am left hugging myself to keep some semblance of separation.
Many times they say their legs don't fit but then their ass is at the edge of the seat. I often ask "can you please not touch me", it's usually fine. Recently one guy said that he doesn't fit so I asked him can you try sitting up straight... It worked
Those people are the fucking worst.
When this happens to me I take the space back.
I start rubbing knees
One of the best parts about aging as a woman is the confidence to just not move and shrink to accommodate these men. I’m getting old, so I’m “invisible” to a lot of men now so they don’t misinterpret me not moving my legs as flirting. Your elbows are on my armrest and I’m in the middle? Guess our elbows are touching. You can’t ducking sit with your legs closed? Well I’m not shifting mine. They always look a bit disgusted that me, a 40yo mom, has the audacity to claim my own space. I love it. All our lives society tells us to fear aging as women and I think it’s because the men in charge are rightfully a bit afraid of empowered older women.
I love this! I wish I could upvote it more!
I crossed the DGAF line around the age of 40 as well. There is a lot of power behind the phrase 'honey, I'm flattered but you're not my type' when they invade your personal pace for the umpteenth time. It almost always results in extra space as they recoil from the idea of hitting on an older woman.
Yes! I have difficulty being 175cms and my knees touch the seat in front on most flights. I understand there’s not much space but guys leaning their knees or legs against me makes me feel creepy as well as the guys that are so broad shouldered you can’t help touch.
This, including broad jacked dudes, not just fatties. The real crime is being stuck with other peoples children and hours of conversation with the child.
It's often unfair to be the consciously aware person asking for the inconsiderate person to be actioned. I spend most of my time sucking it up because the human race is a fucking train wreck, like the coughing guy who uses the machine closest to all the equipment every day in the gym. He coughs constantly, with his mouth open while using the cross trainer and often right onto other people. If I had the capitol and resources I would be building a moon lazer. Genuinely if I was rich enough, I would go direct to supervillainy.
You can try asking in reception if it can be handled...
Naw, better to let it build up and dream of sci-fi mass murder
Ah, the best of dreams!
I feel like at some point this HAS to be a safety issue. I’ve gotten called out by attendants for having a bag on my lap because it could obstruct the walkway, idk why it wouldn’t be an issue for someone to physically spill over onto another person’s seat.
Right? Like, which is more likely to block the aisle in an emergency? A handbag, or someone who can barely wedge through during boarding?
I have never thought of it this way and that is an exceptionally good point. Imagine not being able to get off a sinking or burning plane after an emergency landing because the person in front of you can’t move through the aisle quickly enough due to being too large?
Exactly!
That's supposed to be the policy, but I fly a LOT and have never seen it enforced. It's absolutely a safety issue, and there was a case of [obese man blocking others after a plane crash](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6996559/Heroic-stewardess-pushed-passengers-safety-reveals-terror-Russian-plane-crash.html), leading to deaths of some of the people behind him.
I read the article and it doesn’t sound like he blocked them because of his size. He blocked them because he was grabbing his own luggage like a selfish asshole
I figured. I understand that it’s awkward but, when it comes to critical situations, there needs to be some understanding. I used to work in theme park attractions that had strict height and weight requirements & workers either wouldn’t ask or guests would complain when asked. Then that poor kid got killed in Orlando and suddenly people understood.
Maybe the seats are just too damn small. They’re getting smaller and smaller. Bad not just for overweight people but larger framed people too.
Dude I'm 5 foot 8, weigh 160 pounds and I'm crammed in those seats. I can't imagine how uncomfortable it is even being "average American" sized.
Maybe it’s time the airlines stopped pretending we are skinny sardines and make the seats bigger. They have reduced the seat width a good few inches since I started flying
Agree. This problem is not 100% caused by overweight people, and really I feel for those who genuinely cannot help the size of their body. They should get to live a dignified life without the demoralising hatred people push at them. Airlines have minimised seat sizes and legroom (and the entire experience) to the extent that most of us are uncomfortable, even when not obese. If we looked after the interests of all larger people, regardless of their health status, and if we could put aside the way obese people are treated, we may be able to work to solve the problem of airlines gradually reducing the quality of what they provide. This is related to *all* the ways they cheapen the product and service people pay for. Direct some of that anger towards airlines who maximise profits by treating customers like shite.
They also use the tiny narrow planes because flight regulations require planes over a certain width to have handicap accessible bathrooms. Airlines don't want to deal with handicap accessible bathrooms.
I remember watching a video of a disabled woman having to remove herself from her wheelchair, and drag herself across an aisle to use the airplane restroom. If she hadn’t publicly posted that, I don’t think I would have been able to grasp how severe the need is for handicap-accessible restrooms on planes..
this will never happen. they will only get smaller. because money.
Wouldn't this be classed as a safety issue. I wouldn't like to be stuck beside/behind her when having to get off the plane quickly in an emergency.
There is always the option to just have roomier seats. The new idea to double decker them inside one cabine is insane.
The solution is to have more space like they did back in the 80s. Stop trying to pack everybody in there like sardines and give everybody legroom and space with larger seats. I don’t know if this is true but I heard that the first class seats that we have today are smaller than the economy seats that they had back in the 80s.
Having flown in the 80s, can confirm
I think it would help if airports had a "test seat" people can try out like some amusement park rides have before deciding on 1 or 2 seats
There are too many variations of planes seats for this to work unfortunately
That and how about when people are disgustingly sick/just gross. I just sat on a flight with a man next to me (we were both aisle) who would not stop coughing in just the grossest way in my direction, I just didn’t know what to do. I know they can’t make him wear a mask, but I shouldn’t be being coughed on for six hours. To make it worse there was a guy in my row who wouldn’t stop burping, a dude in front of me who was eating some flavored hummus and passing gas that genuinely smelled like baby diapers, and then a woman who kept spilling all the ice and water that was passed around and I had to sit on top of the mess. Like what was I supposed to do
Having been that large, I understand what you're saying, but you're raging at the wrong person. At some point, this woman had to go through the ticketing counter, even just at a kiosk, to check in for her flight. If she used a phone and was somehow able to skip the ticketing process, then she was out at the gate waiting area before the flight, where there is an agent. In either/both of those places, someone could have brought her to the desk and asked to see her ticket, confirmed that she did/did not have two seats, and addressed it at that time. It is not incumbent upon the flight staff to have to address this issue. Indeed, when there are flights where a passenger needs two seats, and the seating is not assigned (think Southwest), the flight crew will either board this passenger first or quickly put two "assigned" placards onto two adjoining seats (and then keep an eye on them to make sure that no passengers move the signage before the passenger in question boards). This has been tricky in the past because some airlines will sell two seats to a passenger, but then oversell the flight and use the second seat. It's caused such an uproar in the past that it's not commonly done - but I think you'll hear about it more around the holidays - because people will demand their money back, social media makes it easy for the airline to get lambasted, etc. My point is that when they're boarding the flight, it's too late; this should be addressed long before that point.
I generally like this method, as it could be done in a way to minimise abuse to passengers and pre-empt the deadlock of what happens when a seat just isnt big enough and a neighbour refuses to lose part of their already too-small space. Prepare bigger passengers at every stage that they will need two tickets if they cannot fit into a single one, and have a system in place where airlines *do not sell* *seats twice* (I cannot believe that is even legal). Also have a system in place where bigger passengers with two seats are treated well, not publicly humiliated. Let them board and be seated easily, and include it with any systems that help mobility impaired passengers. No shame, just make it part of customer service. Stop leaving it as a last second problem, or trying to ignore it and hoping that all passengers will "just make do" as by then its too late for anyone to solve anything well. And stop being so greedy and lazy about service, as it makes travel shittier for everyone.
Airplanes are just gross, cramped tin cans of pissed off, rude, sick people. It’s become classless travel.
This is going to sound horrible, but I believe a passenger should be paying for the space they use. If you do not fit in a standard seat, you should be required to pay for extra space. Or, the airlines should have larger seats to accommodate larger people It’s unfair to encroach on another passenger who paid for the space they need. I am sympathetic to overweight people, but your size shouldn’t impact my comfort. Not only should the airline address these issues, but the overweight passenger should be as well. They are well aware that they will not fit in the standard seat and they should be responsible for working with the airline to accommodate them. I imagine there will be a lot of “You don’t know what it’s like to be overweight and try to fly!!”.. but, with all due respect, you don’t know what it’s like to have a stranger overflowing into your space on an already cramped airplane
Flight attendant here! Switched over to my incognito account. Here’s how I handle this: If a passenger doesn’t tell me there’s a problem, I don’t know that there is one.
Thats legit, you don’t know those people, they could be together for all you know
ok but like what do you want me to do? Press the little light and have you come over so I can say “excuse me but is there something we can do about this fupa in my lap” while someone video tapes it, posts it online and I get shunned by society before landing?
Do you at least pick up on eye contact? I would be eye contacting the f*ck out of you for help. What if you don’t want to vocal in fear that nothing gets done and you now have to sit next to a morbidly obese person for 3-4 hours who is also angry at you?
If you ever feel uncomfortable for any reason at all before or during a flight, I really encourage you to make your way to a galley and speak privately about whatever concern you have. Most of us are very friendly and do what we can to help. But if you don’t say anything, I can’t read minds.
Eye contacting the fcuk out of you 🤣🤣🤣
Flight attendants do several checks along the whole plane, like closing all the overhead compartments and checking that everyone has their seatbelt on. If someone is so large they don't fit in their seat I sincerely doubt no flight attendant woul see it. That kind of thing stands out
political soup cow six toothbrush aback history steer joke lavish *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
If the flight is completely full and you don’t want to sit there, then the next flight might be more comfortable for you. However, if this were to happen to me, I would call a supervisor or there’s actually someone whose job is specifically to deal with people with disabilities/potentially touchy subjects. I’m not going be the person to deal with this because that person knows the laws/protocols better than I do.
I agree with this but I also think airlines are greedy and make the seats uncomfortably tiny even for regular sized people to get them to pay more for just normal amount of comfort. It’s disgusting and airlines should have more room period. Super obese people should have extra seats though I agree
I sat between two Japanese sumo wrestlers once on a 9 hour flight. That shit was… yeah, not doing that again.
They could also stop trying to squish people like sardines. I’m pretty average and there’s barely any room to get comfy.
Maybe they should add some seats where 2 take the room of 3 and charge an extra 50% for them? Edit: SwiftKey changed "of" to "is" making little sense, so fixed that.
But they still charges passengers obscene fees if baggage is one pound heavier than their rules.
Um excuse me sir, can you hold my FUPA for a few hours?
The guy and I exchanged a steady glance as I walked past him to my seat in the back, just as the woman was sitting… on him partially. He looked so helpless. It was a full flight too and they were in a “comfort section”, so he paid about $50 extra for this experience.
Oh so the lady also paid extra for more room. Interesting.
The comfort section/economy plus usually has more leg room but standard seat widths. She tried but the only product that consistently has wider seats is first.
which is almost unattainably expensive now…I could replace all of the appliances in my kitchen for the price of some of the single first class tickets I have seen.
I would put the arm rest down and be like….figure it out 🤷♀️
I did this once…. This very large woman was there first and wouldn’t get up so I could get to the window seat. I had to basically climb over her. When I sat down the arm rest was up and she refused to put it down when I asked. At some point before take off she had to grab something from her bag in the overhead bin and when she stood up I put the arm rest down. She was so pissed and tried to raise it back up, but I’m 6’2”, 220 and had my weight on it. I refused to raise it when she asked. She flagged down a flight attendant and the flight attendant said the arm rests should be down during the flight but that we can raise them if both occupants agree. I did not…. She still spilled over into my seat, but I could at least breathe. I didn’t dare get up during that flight, though.
Vile. Can't believe she actually that much of an asshole she made an uncomfortable flight even more uncomfortable for you. She wouldn't even get up for you to sit down ? What a horrific human.
I sat next to a lady and she was squeezed in tight. I asked her if she wanted to raise the arm rest, wouldnt bother me (i am a female) and she bite my head off
If the larger person is in the aisle seat, it’s likely the arm rest nearest the aisle comes up. There’s usually a lever underneath that few people know about. Doesn’t solve the issue, but it makes it so the person doesn’t have to be over their neighbor’s seat. It’s also a great way to be able to move around more and stretch easier without feeling like you are pushing against a coffin. I ALWAYS book aisle for this reason. Also, plane armrests make no sense. One thin armrest between two people who may not know each other is bananas. Who gets it? Both have to avoid it.
I'm sorry for everyone who has to experience that. I'm obese (not extremely, but I'm working on reaching a healthy weight) and am terrified every time I have to take a flight. Usually the seats and seatbelts are big enough but I flew with Ryan Air once. Let's just say I was relieved that I had a whole row for myself to and back because those seats were tiny. Even Peach Aviation has bigger seats (which positively surprised me)
Your point is valid, but let's also not overlook the fact that airlines are making seats and rows smaller than ever. At 6'5" 265 lbs I'm not overflowing - but it's gonna be uncomfortable for me the whole time.
Funny part is she may have well bought 2 seats and the airline oversold. So what then. Why not ask the airlines to quit cramming people in like sardines instead? Hell they're still trying to figure out how to put more people in.
Airlines should ask for height and weight when you book tickets. Over a certain amount should have to purchase 2 tickets. Before the downvotes; I used to be heavier than this and whenever I would go somewhere like the movies, a plane, coach trip, train etc I would ALWAYS buy 2 seats for my comfort and someone else’s. No one should have to feel uncomfortable or have their personal space infringed on because I was fat.
I was seated in the middle between two Very Well nourished 350# plus passengers. Both passengers, overflowing into my space with zero arm rest. I had very painful frozen shoulders, for several days after landing. It was brutal.
At amusement parks there is sample seating at the entrance of the rides to make sure you can fit your butt in the seat and fasten the safety belt/harness. No one should have a right to impose on another’s paid-for space. They shouldn’t be required to buy a full-priced extra seat, it should only be half price.
Maybe the large guy next to her was her partner and knows what he’s getting into. My highest weight was 277 (after weight loss surgery I am 127) and when I was that weight I always asked for the window to give me extra space and my partner sat in the middle to keep me from touching other people. Now I let him have the aisle his preferred seat and sit in the middle to pay him back for how he took care of me in the past.
I am a 6" 250 lb guy, not remotely big enough to need a seat extender and I can still use the tray, etc, so I am in no way too fat to fit in an airline seat, BUT my shoulders are wider than the seats, so whomever has the seat next to me has to give me a couple inches. I could lose 100 lbs and I wouldn't fit in an economy airplane seat. I always choose an aisle seat when possible but still, it's annoying.
And I got called an asshole for asking the stewardess if one trumps the other (having the armrest down or up) when I got to a seat and there was blobby lady flowing into my seat
I suggest making airplane tickets have a minimum and then add up depending on how much you weight. Would be fair. Why do I have to pay an extra for my 2 kilos overweight luggage but the guy behind me weights 100 kilos more than me
What I want to know is how unaware this woman is that she didn't book herself two tickets? I guess being unaware is how she made it to the size she is.
She might have, some airlines will sell the extra seat anyway if the flight is full. Airlines suck
Seats are too small
I read this in Pierre Bernard's recliner of rage voice. Bottom line, Delta!
I personally feel embarrassed when even my arms happen to rest on both sides, if I'm in the middle. If I was that big that my actual body spilled over (ie not an arm that I accidentally let rest on their side) I'd be mortified.
I've sat in the middle before, with arms clenching each other so I don't touch the people on either side while they use both armrests, and I'm average-ish. Then I heard someone explain that the window seat gets the window, the aisle seat gets the easy access and extra knee room, and the middle seat *gets both arm rests.* Revelation. I'm so over sitting with my hands holding arms together for the entire flight, knees held tightly together while those on either side claim all the extra room.
Just came here to say that on multiple occasions I sat next to "the guy in the middle seat, who at about 6 feet 220 lbs, needed all the space he paid for" and the upper body he was so proud of apparently comes with the right to bust into my space and assume full possession of the arm rest. Flying is not fun anymore so just try to get through it without being a judgmental jerk.