Obese and Flying

I'm 6'3 and currently 340. I flew a month ago at about 350 lbs and could get the seat belt on. I was cramped but mainly because of long legs. If your shape is as you describe, you shouldn't need two seats. The "passenger of size" policies relate to the ability to get the arm rest down not to whether or not the buckle needs an extension. If you carry in your stomach it shouldn't affect the ability to lower the armrest since that has more to do with width like carrying in your hips and sides.

That being said, I wouldn't wait for the flight to get motivated. The fact that you are apprehensive about your size and the ability to function in a job task, should be motivation to do something. Flying isn't fun when you are big. Even though I fit in the seat okay (not great but okay), I still hate using the bathroom on a plane. I also hate trying to get on and off a plane carrying things. It's just more awkward than if I lost 50 pounds or even 15 pounds.

I'm 5'4" and weighed in the mid 270s the last time I flew back in the spring. Fit comfortably. No seat belt extender needed. No spilling onto my neighbor.

At my size, one of the things I hate is the uncertainty of eyeballing things and trying to decide whether or not I'll fit. For that reason, I discovered that most airlines have a "fine print" policy stating how they deal with "customers of size" (which is a ridiculous term because everyone has size even if it's a small size). If it makes you more comfortable, you can look up their policy which may include seat dimensions, etc. so that you could make arrangements through the airline ahead of time instead of being embarrassed in front of your coworkers.

Here is Southwest's statement for example: http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/extra-seat/index-pol.html

I am 6'0" 320lbs and I fly regularly. Some airlines it is a tight squeeze, but I do not need the extender. If you do, just ask the flight attendant.

I would check into what type of plane you'll be on. We flew to Jamaica in April and had a connecting flight both going and coming. The plane for the connecting flight was small, 2 seats on each side, all the way down...what I call a semi-puddle jumper. I am 5'6" and was about 153 lbs at the time, and those flights were tight even for me. However, our international flight was on a much larger plane and it was much more comfortable, with 3 fairly large seats on each side. We booked through a travel site, so we had no idea what type of plane we would be on until we got to the airport. I started this journey at 213 lbs, so when we took the trip I was very glad I had lost most of my weight. I hope this helps!!

i think you will be okay! i weighed like 240ish the last time i flew, and i was able to get the seatbelt on pretty easy, and i have a big ol' tummy. i would call ahead and ask, because every plane is different!

I am 5'8. last time I flew I was about 275. You should be ok. I will say request a seatbelt extender as you board the plane. They have a finite number of them, best to make sure you have one.

When I fly with my mother she needs to have one and we just ask so soon as we get on the plane it is a little embarrassing for her but it was overall ok. I sit next to her because I will not complain about her body crowding over. I found that to be the most problematic is when I am not the one sitting next to her, I don't know your body so I don't know if that will be a problem plus my mother is larger than you are. I think it will be fine though. Have a nice trip!

I am 5'8. last time I flew I was about 275. You should be ok. I will say request a seatbelt extender as you board the plane. They have a finite number of them, best to make sure you have one.

I agree with this. go ahead and ask ahead of time, so you don't try to buckle and can't. I wish you well and try not to worry

This can be a touchy subject.

I flight a lot on business. I'm 5'9" and my maximum weight was 274-ish. At that weight, I fit in the sit but pressed against the arm rests when flying the smaller, regional jets and had to pull my arms in front of me in order to not invade the other passenger's space. I was one of the few businessmen who preferred to sit next to children because I didn't might the noise (most were well behaved anyways) and it gave me a little more arm room. Anytime I had to sit next to another large person, it was a very uncomfortable proposition for us both. I've never had to ask for a seat belt extension.

There are a handful of travelers that get very snarky about their personal space. Check out the recent news about diverted flights from reclined seats for some good examples. I've read (but can't confirm) that larger passengers have been asked to change seats or were kicked off a flight due to complaints from their neighbors. Never had that experience personally.

I try my best to get an aisle seat so I can spill out/stretch out a little. Moreover, I tend to get a seat towards the back of the plane. It's a little noisier and you'll be getting off last - but I think it increases the odds of having an open seat next to you.

The worst part of flying while heavy for me was carrying my stuff. Like @CaitlinW19 said, try not to stress. You'll probably be fine. I've seen people much larger than you describe flying in coach without an extra seat.

Last thought... I don't know how far Nashville is from you, but you could always consider driving if it's within 4-5 hours on the road. 4-6 hours driving distance is about a wash time-wise when it comes to flying due to having to check in, fetch luggage from baggage claim, catch a cab, etc.

Sam

Last time I flew I was 270 lbs, I'm 5'8 and a pear shape. I fit into the seat, it was a tight fight but I was not spilling over into my neighbor's seat. Tray table folded down with plenty of room to spare. The only problem was the seat belt.. yeah, didn't work. It was soooo close, probably like 1/2 an inch from buckling. I tried and tried to get it, but it wouldn't buckle First and last time I had to ask for a seatbelt extender.

It was kind of embarrassing. I was sitting in an exit row and apparently they don't allow seatbelt extenders to be used in the exit rows, so in addition to asking for an extender I also had to trade seats with someone, great. On my return flight I asked for a seatbelt extender as I was boarding the plane and it was discreetly handed to me. Just my experience, sounds like most other people have had better luck than I did

The last couple times I flew I was over 300...and I needed an extender.

On one flight a guy across the aisle heard me ask and he seemed relieved and asked for one too. The only problem I ever had was the flight attendant had to remember where it had been on the previous flight. Oddly enough the woman sitting next to me had it and didn't know it. She kind a freaked out and wanted to move to another seat because she thought there was a problem. I was mortified (and the women didn't mean anything, she was in no way being unpleasant).

I prefer an aisle seat but I don't like to be trapped.

You can buy your own seat belt extender and hang it up as a trophy when you never need it again.

I'm 5'8" and at my highest around 230, I still fit with room to spare in most airplane seats. Try not to worry. I think you'll be alright! Safe travels.

They'll give you seatbelt extensions IF you need them probably. Don't think you'll need another seat.
Use that for motivation? Say in like 6 months you want to fly without ever using the extension

One thing I will say is that you should get an aisle seat, even if you have to pay a few bucks more. I was seated next to an obese person on a plane recently and they were spilling into my seat. Of course, I didn't want to make them feel bad (I can only imagine they were already very self-conscious and not enjoying the experience themselves), but it wasn't pleasant to have a stranger touching me the entire flight. I think I hid it well, but I was miserable. Honestly, I did wish the person would at least apologize, but I understood that maybe they were too embarrassed.

I REALLY hope you have someone considerate next to you, but please be aware that even if they are petite, it's unpleasant to have a stranger crowding you and touching you. As someone petite, tall/obese/bigger people often usurp my personal space because they seem to think I don't "need it" as much as they do, even though I am paying just as much for my seat/space. What I mean is, just have some empathy for whoever is next to you, and I truly hope they do the same for you. If you can get an aisle seat and try to distribute your bulk (sorry, don't know how else to phrase it) more into the aisle when possible, it would be better.

Really, if you can afford it, you should just purchase 2 seats ahead of time. Your coworkers won't have to know that you bought 2. They will just assume that the seat next to you wasn't purchased at all.

Best of luck!!