[Miranda Grace]

My DH is flying to Qld at the end of the month with his parents, brother and his partner for a family wedding.
DH is concerned that his brother's partner will not fit in an airline seat as she is quite large. She has never been on a plane before. DH is quite tall and fits ok (not comfortably) but is nowhere near the size of said person. He flies quite a lot so he knows how wide the seats are.
Anyways, he has quietly spoken to his mother about his concern (she has bought the tickets) and she just thinks he is being nasty. He suggested buying an extra seat (apaarently they give you a seat belt extender) but she brushed him off.

He is really worried about it and would hate the embarrasement that could be felt by her.

It is on a discount airline so the plane will probably be full.

What should he do?
Should he tactfully mention his concern to his brother and risk the chance of it geting nasty (which would be just disastrous) or just take the chance that she will be able to squeeze in?
DH is worried that she will not be able to stay on the plane if she can't safely fit.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Debi]

Hi Tara

When my Aunt flew to LA she had to buy an extra seat as she is quite large. But I am not sure if she 'had' to buy it or if she did for comfort sake iykwim....

Maybe ring the airline and ask if there is any weight restriction? Surely this is something they encounter alot.

[~Sh3ekY M0nKeY T...]

I would say that she has no doubt already though about this and is worried enough already...

[melandned]

i'm a larger person and yep the seats ARE squishy!
and that's on the 'larger' airlines, i haven't flown virgin etc but i think they can be a bit squishy
maybe get him to ring the airline and ask the dimensions of the seats or here is a bit of info off the virgin site (if you're not talking about virgin i'm sure there is equivalent on the internet, i just did an aussie google search)

The "Blue Zone" seating offers Guests the equivalent of a 40 inch (100 cm) seat pitch and is available on just 9 seats on every flight.
It's our way of giving you the choice of something a little extra over and above our regular seats - which by the way, with an average seat pitch of 32 inches (81 cm), matches up against our competitor's economy class. So - step into the Blue Zone!

GOOD LUCK!

[Miranda Grace]

Thanks for your replies everyone.
Shakey, yes we know she is probably already thinking about it but because she didn't buy the tickets, we were worried about her having to asking her mother in law to buy and extra one.
We have spoken again to dh's mother and she was going to look into it further.
We were just really worried about her. It would be just dreadful if there was a problem.
Thanks mel & ned. I'll forward this info onto MIL now.
Thanks guys

[--binda--]

I've flown numerous times down to Melbourne... I think I was a size 24/26 first time, and I fit in the seats (I think it was virgin..) I've also flown with qantas, and jet star... I've never had a problem with the seats. Although the last time I was a size 18.

[Miranda Grace]

Thanks Binda. Hopefully it won't be an issue then.
Dh's estimates may be out a bit
Congrats on the weight loss BTW.

[Amberr]

I was 120kg when I flew to TAS last year, and nothing was said in it and I had plenty of room in a Virgin seat.

In saying that though, I'm 99.9% sure I heard on the radio anyone flying that weighs more than 130kg must have a carer (Virgin)

[BboysFlygirl]

I have to say that I really feel for your DHs brother's partner (aunt's cousin twice removed ). I can imagine that she'll be stressing about it as I know I was.

I flew last year with Virgin at a size 24-26 and while it was a little squishy. I was terrified that I'd have to get a seat belt extender, but it was fine. This year I flew with Jetstar at a size 22 and it was comfortable.

Cheers, Kylee

[**Kaz**]

She would be worrying about it believe me I know as I at first use to worry with just little trips around Autralia but nothing was ever said to me.

Quite some years back now before marrying when I was 160kgs and in a size 28+ I use to travel the world England, Canada, Japan, America you name it I've been there backpacking everywhere and not once in all the years that I flew with Malaysian, Virgin (quite a number or times), Qantas and British was I ever asked to pay for another seat.

Not once was I ever made to feel like I should, I was upgraded a number of times to business class and I know that was due to my being large but my friends loved it as they got to upgrade also

I was uncomftable in the chairs especially on long trips but I use to lift up arm rests and my friends didn't mind as they were skinny.

So honestly she has nothing to worry about

This post has been edited by *Kaz*: 07/06/2006, 11:48 AM