Plus Size People on a Plane

Every now and then a post or video crops up on social media, whether parody or serious, about being large bodied or overweight and how this affects them (and to a lesser extent others) while flying in Economy Class.

There’s a recent video I happen to catch on X of a woman having a whinge. Hard to say if she was serious or it was tongue in cheek. A mild mannered one anyhow. She goes on, “I’m plus-size and on a plane”…then demonstrates the difficulties she has to face starting with the tray table saying, “of course I can’t put the tray table down”. Then goes on about having to have the smallest member of her family (little boy) sit adjacent in the middle seat to make up the room she requires.

Next up the armrest separating her aisle seat from the middle seat saying, “of course the armrest is digging into my hip”. Strangely enough though in the shot of her next to the boy the armrest is swung up. So it wasn’t digging into her hip then. Of course if it wasn’t for her small family member the armrest would be there stabbing her.

Anyhow, we all know that airplane cabins are not ideal for large or tall people. The beancounters at airlines are interested in numbers, in how many passengers they can carry and the money they spend. The size of their passengers (guests) is of no interest to them, especially when it comes to their comfort (and others) in Economy Class. They, the accountants, will argue you do have other options. It’s spend more money in the higher class cabins: Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class. There’s your solution, more room!

Let’s be practical and serious about this. How many would move to a higher class cabin? Very, very few. Perhaps an Exit row seat that may alleviate the height issue but not width. So the only real (and best) option in Economy Class would be to purchase an adjoining seat. This would give more room in one direction. Laterally. Unfortunately it doesn’t resolve the problem of actually slipping into and out of the seats or using the tray table assigned. The other seat’s tray table can be accessed, albeit on an angle. Better than nothing.

Other issues will still be there, walking or rather shuffling (or as she says shimmy) down the aisles, like a crab, side ways. Fitting into the lavatory and sitting on the crapper. Having to ask for a seat belt extender or carry one with you. If you lack height accessing the overhead bins is also a problem. Just mentioning these things makes me uneasy (and tired).

What did others think in the comments? A few were understanding but the majority were blunt and some down right rude. Some suggested why don’t airlines have special seats set aside for larger framed people and charge more for them, etc. Buy two seats or fly Business or First Class. Others made comments that their size would put the plane out of balance. The question most asked, “why are you overweight (obese) and why not do something about it?” Slim down, go on a diet, it’s your problem not the airline’s etc.

I think many have missed the point of what she’s saying. There are many large framed people out there that are not necessarily overweight. Some just round but not in the obese category. You can see this how she carried on in this video. How she emphasised the small family member in sympathy with other unfortunate travellers. She’s obviously having a go at the airlines for the lack of room. Many normal sized people would argue the same.

I’ve had the unfortunate experience lately of a large person sit in the middle seat, in between my wife and me. He spilled over onto me. I could feel his body heat! It was very uncomfortable. I had no way of taking over that middle armrest, my left arm was tucked onto my body. My wife was on the other side and she went through the same ordeal. Lucky it was a flight of around 6 hours. Still too long but better than 12 hours or more! The fellow wasn’t overweight, perhaps just a little, but he was large framed. Anyway, there was little to be gained by arguing about excess weight here.

Some people are conscious about their size and weight and try their best to get into shape. They know it will cause issues with others and for themselves. Others unfortunately for one reason or another (perhaps medical) can’t. Some won’t do anything and stay obese. Apathy basically. So what do we do? Ban them? Segregate them? What’s the answer?

In my opinion the easiest and most practical solution is the purchase of adjoining seats. Only problem is where will they be located? They will have to be easily accessible. Perhaps the exit rows? Some may say no won’t they block the emergency exit? But wouldn’t it be better if they actually were the first to exit rather than be somewhere stuck between seats or blocking an aisle? On wide-bodied planes with twin-aisle there’s more seats at exits. The smaller aircraft used on domestic routes are the problem. They have less exits and those are at the front and back of the aircraft the others are over the wings in tight seat rows! This is serious stuff if you think about it. Otherwise the only other solution (and probably the only one ever) is Business Class. It will be costly, but plain and simple it’s where the room is. Unless that too isn’t big enough…

Note: The images are screenshots from her video. I’ve taken these from a retweet on X. Not sure who the original poster was as it has been reposted several times.