There is a lot of planning in a trip that requires air travel. But planning a trip while being fat is a completely different thing. Large-sized people have a whole list of things to consider, including seat width and toilet size, which mostly come into play on longer international journeys or multi-legged flights.
“There have been situations departing from a flight where I got bruises on my thighs from the armrests,” says Emily Ho, plus size content creator at Authentically Emmie in Louisville, Kentucky. “Or I felt a lot of muscle pain because I had forced my arms and legs together for the entire run to make myself as small as possible.”
However, according to plus-size travel blogger Jae’lynn Chaney, “traveling as a plus-size individual can come with a lot of hurdles, but it’s really worth it.”
With the help of Ho and Chaney, as well as Sami Schalk, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and my experience as a plus size international travel writer, we have compiled a number of tips that can help anyone, regardless of their their size, feel a little more comfortable and confident about their next flight.
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1. Look up your plane seating on Seatguru
All airplanes are not created equal. Finding out that you are sitting in a bulkhead seat or in a smaller seat than usual can make your flight a lot more complicated. Before booking your flight, take a look at the Seatguru website. On the same subject : BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Get ready for a busy summer travel season. Seatguru has detailed information on seat sizes for most aircraft, can advise you on bulkhead seats and more. This way, if the route is covered by two different planes, you can choose the one that will work best for you.
“I choose seats near the window so that I can lean more against the wall,” said Schalk. Whether you are debating between premium economy, business class or a standard seat, you will find the different measures to help you make an informed decision.
When deciding which seat to select, remember that FAA regulations do not allow you to sit in an exit row if you need a seat belt extender.
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2. Buying two seats and checking the customer of size policy
Depending on your size and weight distribution, you may need more space than the standard seat for comfort or fit. On the same subject : Air travel this summer is expensive, messy and growing.
“If you know you will need a larger seat than on a standard bus, but the business or first class fare is not in your budget, most airlines will allow you to buy two seats on the bus, which could be a ‘more affordable comfort option – and also more extensive than first-class offerings, ”said Ho.
Airlines have written guidelines on how they will treat large-sized travelers called “Large Customer” policies.
“I’m looking to see if they have a policy for large customers or if they offer special accommodations for large passengers,” Chaney added.
Not all size customer policies are created equal.
While airlines such as Southwest recognize the humanity of plus-size travelers by reimbursing the cost of a second seat if you need it, others, including United Airlines, penalize us by establishing restrictive guidelines requiring the purchase of a second seat if the armrest cannot stand down, even when sitting next to a family member. Be sure to read them to see if you can get a refund or to avoid being forced to purchase another seat upon boarding.
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3. Get TSA Precheck
Maybe it’s our luscious thighs, wide love handles, or fupa, but those damn full-body scanners don’t really like big-sized people. This may interest you : Delta launches high-tech display on Detroit Metro with personal flight data.
“If I have to go through a standard scanner, I’ll have an extra pat on one side of my body near the chest and also along the back of my inner thigh,” Ho said. This is where TSA Precheck comes in. Not only can you keep your shoes on, skip the normal line, and leave liquids in your hand luggage, but you can also skip the scanner. Instead, you will be guided through a standard metal detector, which will allow you to avoid what can be an uncomfortable and sometimes humiliating search.
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4. Ask for a seat belt extender when you get on the plane
Like most things related to air travel, seat belts aren’t made for larger bodies. Seat belts on an airplane tend to be smaller, sometimes much smaller than those on a car.
The FAA requires airlines to inspect seat belt extenders, so airlines ban personal extenders and can confiscate them. Instead, “I always ask for a seat belt extender as soon as I get on board,” Schalk said. This allows the flight attendant to provide you with one discreetly. If they don’t have one on hand, they’ll ask for your seat number and bring it to you before taking off.
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5. Use the bathroom in business class on long-haul lights
Going to the bathroom on an airplane is simply impossible for many large people, so people go to great lengths to avoid it by limiting their fluid intake before a flight and skipping the beverage service. But what about long-haul international flights?
I had to use the bathroom on a recent flight from Vienna to Chicago. It could not be postponed or avoided. Upon entering the business class bathroom, I was amazed to discover a bathroom that I could define as spacious! It was easily twice the size of a normal airplane bathroom. So, if you need a long-haul flight, ask the flight attendant to let you do your business in the business class cabinet.
6. Bring a blanket with you
If you’re using a client of size to get a second seat, or paying out of his own pocket for one, “Sitting between two seats can be very uncomfortable, so I recommend bringing a thick blanket to lay down between the two seats,” Chaney said.
7. Secure your purse or carry-on
With luggage being lost all over the world, more and more travelers carry hand luggage and fill overhead bins. If you have a smaller purse or purse, it will likely go under the seat in front of you. Getting it out of there mid-flight is much more difficult than getting it over there, leaving you in a difficult situation. What I do is slip the strap of my bag into the back pocket, then slip the bag under the seat. This way, when I need it, I can unfasten the strap and pull the bag up without having to contort my body to retrieve it.
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8. Take care of your feet
Travelers of all sizes are encouraged to think about how their blood circulation will be affected by long flights, especially those with health conditions that make them more susceptible to deep vein thrombosis and blood clots.
“It is extremely important to stretch and move during flights, especially long ones,” Chaney said. “Wearing compression stockings can also help improve blood flow, prevent blood clots and reduce swelling. I also highly recommend large-sized travelers to cleavage, flex their ankles, and stretch their legs as much as possible during flights.
9. Carry a change of clothing
It’s no secret that airlines have a hard time getting people’s luggage to their destination these days. But this issue is more critical for plus size people, especially those who wear a size 4x and larger.
Be prepared for this problem by putting a change of clothes and undergarments in your carry-on bag. It doesn’t have to be much, but a pair of leggings, a t-shirt, underwear and socks and it really improves on a bad situation if there’s nowhere to buy some clothes.
