This trend was the perfect opportunity to say OMG, Happy Birthday Plus Size Travel Too You can edit your question or post anyway. As long as your fare allows free seat assignments, you can change your seat as many times as you need to in order to try to keep an empty seat next to you. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. While this information is current as of this writing, please bear in mind that airlines frequently purchase new aircraft and upgrade their existing equipment on a regular basis, so your experience may differ from the data presented here. I would suggest you call the airline, explain the situation, and ask them to block three seats together for your party. If youre not overweight, youve never had to endure the eye rolls and huffing/puffing of a seatmate that is aggravated that he/she must occupy space with you. However, I do have my own seat belt extender (which looks and feels exactly like whats handed out on the aircraft) and carry it in my carry-on in case an aircraft doesnt have enough extenders to go around. There are 3 of you sitting together, if you don't get enough space in your own seat, sure your dad will allow you to open the arm rest! Southwest Airlines also bars passengers from bringing their own seat belt extenders. No ones ever judged me for that and most cabin crew members are discreet about it. As a passenger of size, I need to understand that there really are no standards. Heres seat belt length info collected from the airlines: If you have no idea which seat belt length works for you, do a little test at home. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. This has not happened to me yet, but as I mentioned in another post, Im a planner and Id rather be prepared than asked to leave the aircraft due to a lack of an essential piece of safety gear. Consult the airline you intend to use the extender on before use, and abide by their instructions regarding use. Making a quick call to ask about any restrictions on the seat youve chosen is the best way to avoid a problem while boarding. I could fly an Embraer RJ-175 or ERJ-145, an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, or a Canadair RJ900. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. I had paid for an Even More Space seat which I do on every flight. Contact your airline to get the best available information for your aircraft. See, three Auckland women of size were denied boarding, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a flight attendants advice for passenger of size here, New York City to Nashville in first class for less than $360, France deal alert: Nice and Paris from San Francisco from $379, JetBlue flyers, you now have lounge access with the right credit card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, not specified by the airline but appears to be 25 inches, For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets, Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels, Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases, 80,000 Points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com, No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card. If you're concerned TSA or one of the flight attendants will think you've absconded with airline property, worry no more. Alaska Airlines provides an extension of 25 inches once onboard but does not allow passengers to use them if they are sitting in an exit row. If an A seat isnt available, a passenger of size would have to decide if he or she wanted to buy tickets for two side-by-side seats (B and C) or pick a different flight or aircraft that might have roomier seats. \VB{-#9KUI G@(15E~Q*t'I`0hq*%]rM_j7Ms(7E4 38J3 5^\yw}v()cYI:c?mz>CA*A4EZCtZe?v=,5\)*tFIE9Gt6Q+bM?}. It's not like you'll be sitting next to a stranger! This process may take some time, particularly if you contact your airline by email or happen to talk with a customer service agent who does not know the answer to your question. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. I never really thought too much about it before but my weight and my desire for the most comfortable flights is probably partly why I chased airline elite status when I first discovered the world of miles and points. Baggage Fees for 11 Popular Budget Airlines, How to Travel Internationally With Your Pet, 8 Air Travel Rights You Didnt Know You Have, What to Do When Your Flight Is Canceled Due to Weather. Advertising - It is not the bank advertisers responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. It was originally published on Oct. 27, 2019. Related: Credit cards that help you earn airline elite status faster. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Knowing the configuration helps me determine which seats may provide me and any potential seatmate with the most comfortable flight. 1 ThankYou point per $1 on all other purchases. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Most airlines post this information on their websites or you can reach out to customer service by phone or through a direct message on social media. Please make sure that you've entered a valid question. When buying yourself a second ticket, its easiest to just call the airline to make the reservation since the naming on that second ticket has to follow certain airline protocols. Always adjust to your preferred length. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. )JVz{fgw="`U?xG0|Si+N'31l((/2Q pHdP:j1 SkoL[!74h)>OQhhe@cs,]8$\|Jl;3?t9XF~mh6:mf5:)VY+ F/&>c,[\s|fK&IXZtYU&-t jU,|:=!jM That was the case for me when I flew on five different aircraft across three airlines and needed a seat belt extender on two of those flights: the American Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 pictured above and an Austrian Airlines Boeing 767-300. !d14IYXr*};@K\.&Zbe!T&I+TEjGR7sI#nf2SaW3^S0.c#GqCfQk^i;f!"Swj"9&lM)X-isS&B-YLg5J: @jcSrh` *,$KejYX{IZA55|&f|sD^__^#24fD9[Ha;Jd)$L&u 7J&s3KM;Yd\+1nRE4c3Dl I;/rif::p#Un4>lB Easily rolled into a compact size, this discreet, portable airline belt extension can be kept in its blue velour carrying case and stashed right in your carry-on! For example, theres an American Airlines route I often fly where there are several flights per day but on different aircraft types. Ask all your questions before you buy your tickets so that you have plenty of time to get the answers you need and make informed decisions about which tickets to buy. On very tight aircraft flying a busy route, it can be worth it to buy a second seat. Wider seats with more legroom and better food. Please try again. Stander CarCaddie - Automotive Standing Aid and Adjustable Safety Vehicle Support Handle Portable Nylon Car Assist Device, Stander HandyBar, Portable Vehicle Support Grab Bar, Standing Assist Mobility Aid Handle, Car Emergency Escape Tool with Window Breaker and Seat Belt Cutter, Always be ready to fly with your own airplane belt extender, Avoid having to ask a flight attendant for an extender, Adds between 18cm and 61cm of additional room. Ad c;~V (1H{ Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. Over the years, Ive accumulated some handy tips that ensure my flight will be comfortable and that my seatmate wont have an issue sharing space with me. To see our price, add these items to your cart. Thats why any passenger of size, like me, has to do more research and due diligence when booking travel. 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The seats have become narrower with little attention paid to passenger comfort. In order to support compliance with 14 CFR sections regarding the use of seat belts, assigned crew members should be aware of the possibility that passengers may attempt to use these extenders while on board their aircraft.. Several airlines have special policies that apply to the use of seat belt extenders. That additional seat provides you physical comfort and peace of mind. I agree that the best option is using the airlines own equipment. Wearing a seat belt is for your safety as well as the safety of everyone around you. While you can buy your own seat belt extender, there is no guarantee that it will be allowed through security and there's no guarantee you will be able to use it on the plane. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. 3CfB`2a*M>Y* f"?u60eS~Oo%t]z9UOuL#~JW] But, you can also sometimes find that type of belt in economy bulkhead rows or other locations. Once we were in flight, I looked at the other Even More Space seats and saw that an entire row was empty. You can read. /Rttm%fH~ }kw:w I need to know the aircraft type and then look up the seat width (which is usually easily found at the airlines website or Seatguru). I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. These passengers often called "passengers of size" or "passengers requiring extra space," can be required to purchase a ticket for a second seat if they meet certain criteria, like if the passenger's body extends a certain distance beyond their seat and requires a seat belt extender, or if a passenger cannot perform a specific action or combination of actions such as lowering both armrests comfortably, or lowering the armrests and fastening a seat belt with an extender. Each Airplane Seat Belt Extender comes with an Owner's Card to prove it belongs to you (detachable from inside the header card in which the airplane extender comes). The Points Guy will not sell your email. Passengers are required by law to wear a seat belt on the plane unless the seatbelt sign is turned off. You've gotten great advices so far. Whether you travel frequently for business or just once or twice a year for pleasure, having your own Airline Seat Belt Extender will save you from feeling awkward when asking a flight attendant to provide one for you. Most airlines have several different types of aircraft and its possible the seat width and seat belt length differ on each of them. Discussion: Operators should be aware that seat belt extenders are being marketed to the public for their personal use while traveling. do you want to Write an article for plus size travel too? For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full. Not only do I buy the Even More Space seat but I continually check the seat map leading up to the journey. Seat width is 17 inches. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Its incredibly unfortunate this information wasnt clearly communicated in advance to the passengers but, once at the airport, the airline could not break this safety rule. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. When I boarded, however, someone sat next to me and let me know his unhappiness by shifting his body every two seconds and continually pushing against the armrest between us. But, I also take into consideration the seating configuration of the airplane. Last week, three Auckland women of size were denied boarding when staff from Thai Airways explained they were too large to sit in the business-class seats theyd booked. I can fit just fine into one seat but feel squished or need a seat belt extender on a different aircraft in the same airlines fleet. by Meg Kate, 20 Fearless Plus Size Flying Tips by Jess Riley, Plus Size Style Inspo: Airplane Outfit Edition, Customer of Size: A Guide to North American Airlines Policies, Customer of Size: A Guide to North American Airlines' Policies -. I know from firsthand experience how just 20 or 30 pounds can make a difference in comfort on an aircraft. If its a short flight, its a good chance to end up with an empty seat next to you. Contact Us - Plus, earn 3 ThankYou points per $1 at gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets and on air travel and hotels. Airlines usually publish information about these policies in their Contract of Carriage. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. The below image is the seat configuration of an American Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 operated by Envoy Air. Good luck! Seat belt length varies by airline and by type of aircraft. He, Its June which can only mean one thing - Summer, Skyscanner are starting things with this conversat, Were back after the Easter break with a brand n, This is your captain speaking Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. But with a bit of preplanning and research on your aircraft options and potential seat configurations, you should be able to manage the issue. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Thank you so much to, If we dont have a handheld fan with us, were, Another one, another one, another one. Airlines reserve the right to refuse the use of any Extender but what they provide. This seat belt extension adds between 7" and 24" of length to the existing seat belt to provide you the extra breathing room you need to feel comfortable. It's a convenient and discreet way to keep your seat belt extension in a briefcase, backpack, purse, or carry on bag. Shipping cost, delivery date and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. (That said, Ive seen flight attendants do their best to move passengers around the cabin to ensure everyones comfort.). THE BRAND TO TRUST - Seat Belt Extender Pros is the worlds leading brand for automotive safety belt extensions and related products, and you can trust them to deliver the highest quality safety and service available. Just a note about premium economy - most (all?) FREE CARRYING CASE & OWNER'S CARD INCLUDED - Never ask a flight attendant for an extender again! When it comes to air travel, the term passenger of size is used for anyone whos overweight or too large to potentially occupy one seat on an aircraft. Unable to add item to Wish List. Having your own airline seat belt extension available helps to create a stress-free flying experience by allowing you to sit in your seat and buckle up safely so you can relax and enjoy the flight. Send a private message to AAFrequentFlyer. Most seat belt extenders are universal. Our mission at Seat Belt Extender Pro is to provide products that help you feel safe, comfortable, and confident in everything you do whether you're at home or on the go. If you wait until you board the aircraft and theres an issue, there may not be two available seats next to each other or the cost for a last-minute seat may be exorbitant. If you cannot comply with your airline's policy and cannot purchase a second seat because the flight is sold out, you may be denied boarding until the next day a flight with unsold seats is available. Its got the best seat width, which is 2 inches more than the Boeing 738 provides in Main Cabin. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Your email address will not be published. Reseller of airplane seat belt extenders. Its well and truly chub rub season, Let us know in the comments Do Larger Airline Passengers Need to Buy a Second Seat? Aircraft type is important. There was a problem completing your request. [{"displayPrice":"$23.99","priceAmount":23.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"23","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"uftOl1o0sL21vbZ8BT5mdtQdiRyTWw21bM1nwIeYJC68IHMiNWEVXbEmHBzNjBKRy91PE2pCbhvp2pwdgAaBEpQBEQ62iwvtNTCc10Q7cGXAWZZJb9Pby0hFYYCtmcQQMYHReLyBHzf5e%2F04bopCgq6UFuJjfiUUVEpiKAqaxsfHI%2BZhHIv3eg%3D%3D","locale":"en-CA","buyingOptionType":"NEW"}]. The owner's card proves it's yours. Background: Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91, 91.107; 121, 121.311; and 135, 135.128 require a seat belt secured about each passenger during specified phases of flight. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The enhancements that you chose aren't available for this seller. For example, Delta Air Lines does not permit passengers to use their own personal extenders, citing "FAA regulations" as the reason for this ban. Out of the choices above, Im best off on the ERJ-175 if flying Main Cabin. Heres how the seat width compares on those aircraft, according to data published at Americans website. My success rate using this strategy is usually really high. Many airlines have rules that require a larger passenger to pay for a second seat if he or she cant comfortably fit in one seat with or without a seat belt extender. Simply cut the owner card right out of the product packaging and carry keep it in the carrying case to always have with you. ?( (zC40:o$l&CyQOQ[&[ JaUb`TZwMJt.q 5< Eo7*[5 y;&P'nLVT}:X
I*,H">,`myQ,@Zs)+. Seat Belt Extender, 14 inch Car Buckles Seat Belt Extension Accessory with 7/8 inch Metal Tongue for Most Cars 2PCS, 2 Packs Seat Belt Extender Rallonge de ceinture de scurit, 5MLGgoods Universal Safety Extension Belt 7/8 Inch Metal Tongue For Cars (75mm), Seat Belt Extender, 2 Packs Of 10.2Inch Universal Car SeatBelt Extender, Suitable For Obese Men Pregnant Women, Universal Safety Buckles Extender For Child Seats(7/8'' Metal TongueOff White), Belt Extension (7/8-inch Metal Tongue) for Seat Belt Extender of Most Cars (beige), Air Canada Airplane Seat Belt Extender by Seat Belt Extender Pros E4 Safety Certified, Universal Adjustable 9-24" Airplane Seat Belt Extender with Free Carry Case - Fits All Global Airlines except Southwest, Safety Certified. This is not going to help you for this trip, but next time, consider flying premium economy on British Airways, Virgin Atlantic or SAS. I value elite status upgrades since sitting in a business-class seat usually solves the space issue (at least for me at my weight). e6)EIgf"{lf||U7$8GzR'F5'_)F]TH_rGetd|lF hV23dp",5g;p~Y7U?K Lufthansa Airlines Airplane Seat Belt Extender. All seats were in business class. Generally speaking, the armrests must be lowered and you need to fit in that space without encroaching significantly usually 1 inch or more on the person or people sitting next to you. I fit just fine on an Austrian Airlines A320, United 787-10 and United ERJ175. It is unlikely that someone on this forum would have that specific info about that particular airline on transatlantic flights. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. The women could fly in economy because the seats did not include airbags, and so the airline could provide seat belt extenders to ensure safe travel for their passengers. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. I know airlines do carry seat belt extenders, so they are used to dealing with larger people. ${cardName} not available for the seller that you chose. In fact, only Thais Boeing 787-9 has that type of restraint. While seatmates of passengers of size may not be thrilled with their seating assignment, I can guarantee that the overweight person isnt too happy about it, either. Infant Bassinet Policies on Popular International Airline Carriers, Tips for Traveling With Your Service Animal, How to Request Airport Wheelchair Assistance. Not all North American airlines are represented in this seat belt length table. Contact your airline for the most up-to-date rules. But, you may not want to rely on seat maps. On this particular aircraft (likely Thais 787-9), the business-class seats the family purchased were equipped with seat belts that have airbags. When its really important to me, I just buy (or redeem miles for) a seat in the business-class cabin. As you can see from the above chart, its not enough to know which airline Im flying. To add the following enhancements to your purchase, choose a different seller. If you're concerned about the length of a seat belt, the best way to get current seat belt information is by contacting your airline. premium economy seats have the tray tables in the armrests, so the arms can't be raised unlike coach seats (except in exit rows.) Note that some airlines, like Alaska, will refund what you paid for the second seat if the aircraft departs with an empty seat on it. For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. I am a 46-year-old woman who will be traveling with my elderly Dad and his wife, to a conducted three week cruise/tour in Greece that he has arranged for us, and which means a great deal to him and to me. If Im flying first class, however, the Airbus A320, with a 21-inch seat width, is my best option, followed closely by the Boeing 737-800.