Flying for Larger people

fjw2012 · March 2012

My FI is a very big man, 6'8" and about 350 lbs. We are worried about him not being able to be comfortable on the flight. I know we have the option of buying two seats and are willing to do so, I just wonder if anyone else has ever done this? I have this fear that we'll purchase two seats for him and then the airpot let someone buy the seat anyway and my FI will be uncomfortable the whole time. Anyone ideas or suggestions?

Jells2dot0 · March 2012

I personally have not dealt with this situation, but I would highly recommend calling the airline and taking care of this with an agent over the phone. I know they charge fees for booking over the phone, but you need to make sure that the seat will not be resold. I would also look into economy plus seating on United, if available. You can purchase the seats at the time of booking and they give around 5" of extra leg room. Be sure to check the seat maps, though, because a lot of the Continental planes that just rolled into United do not have economy plus seating yet. United's seat map tool does a good job of showing which seats do, though. They will be in blue.

[Deleted User] · March 2012

All of the major airlines offer seat belt extenders. Exit row seats provide more leg room. First class is always the roomiest and most comfortable.

JCWhitey · March 2012

Yeah, I'd look into either business or first class. If it's for your honeymoon then it's good to splurge a bit for comfort, too. I've only flown first class a few times but it definitiely beats coach and worth the extra expense!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · March 2012

I have friends who fly in the very first row of economy for the extra legroom because they are very tall. However, I agree about business/first class being a good option.

DeannaCW · March 2012

FWIW, my FI's 6'2 and also in the 350-ish weight range (or at least was last time he flew). He said American airlines, United, and Continental all had reasonably comfortable coach seats, whereas Virgin Atlantic was less so. Of course these were transatlantic flights (Los Angeles to London) and so different types of planes, but if you're taking a reasonably long flight you should be ok. A business or 1st class upgrade would also be worth the money though, I'm sure.

Lisa50 · March 2012

My recommendation is that you work with a travel agent and get him/her to make all arrangements. Make sure you discuss your FI's stature with him/her and make your needs and preferences clear.

Starfish0116 · March 2012

I would suggest getting a bulkhead seat in first class, the seats are wider. You could do the bulkhead in coach, but while you'd have more leg room you wouldn't have extra seat room.

I would highly suggest the first class option, it would be cheaper than two coach seats. I would make sure you have seats next to each other though. The last flight I took I had a seat next someone very large. It was extremely uncomfortable for me, because they were literally spilling over the seat. I had no room, and it was miserable. I normally try to fly first class, specifically to not deal with that situation but on that flight they were all booked by the time I decided to take my trip.

fjw2012 · March 2012

Thanks for the advice everyone. It appears I have some research to do.

Flying for Larger people

Re: Flying for Larger people

Choose Another Board

Search Boards