Does sis in law need two plane seats?

[HAH]

OK we already have our plane tickets. Sis in Law has never flown. It has never occured to me but she made the point that the airline (NW) might require her to but a second seat due to her size. She is 5'10 and weighs about 270. Do any of you have any experience with this? By the way, she will be sitting with her VERY SMALL 4 year old son.

 

[TravelSheryl]

She will not need to buy two seats. It's possible she will need a seatbelt extender (just ask the flight attendant for one), but I've seen many men and women who weighed at least that much fit into one seat.

 

[horseshowmom]

She'll also probably be able to raise the arm rest between them to give her a little more room.

 

[Syngrolsch]

Hey Hah
My partner is about the same size as your sis in law but a little shorter. She has never had a problem on a plane. The seat belt has an adjustable strap which makes things easier. Lifting up the arm rest DOES make a difference, an extra two inches can be all the difference.
Have fun!
inkbounc

 

[nativetxn]

My husband weighs at least that much and although he's about 6 inches taller, he has never been required to buy two tickets. I can't imagine that she would require 2 seats.

 

[Ahrizel]

I'm 5'9" and a size 28, and have never needed a second seat. I really prefer the seat arm, much more comfortable. I didn't need a seatbelt extender, although any bigger then me and you probably would. Sitting next to a very small child increases the comfort factor greatly! Seriously, you would problably need to be 1-3 sizes bigger then me to need a second seat. My 6'3" 2-3x hubby also has no problems, though both of us we're MUCH more comfortable when we had an exit row seat.

 

[The Hunt]

She won't be able to get an exit row seat, because children can't sit there. They may be more comfortable in a bulkhead seat, because there is no one in front of you then.

 

[dudlee930]

being of large size myself I would not recommend bulk head seating, although more leg room it is almost impossible to get your eating tray out of the armrest and folded down in front of you comfortably. I prefer aisle seating and since I am right handed, I also prefer the left side of the plane.

 

[wackywitch]

When I used to weigh about 280, I went down to Disney flying NW. I didn't need an extender, but it WAS a tight fit on NW seats. The seat belt will fit if extended all the way out.

I did feel kinda "pinched" in with both armrests down, but because I had a window seat, I felt that I had a little more room than I would have if I'd sat in the middle seat. Don't worry about the food tray: since it comes down from the seat in front of her, she won't have to worry about fitting it over her lap.

 

[poppins50]

I'm not sure if the airlines makes a difference, but I've been using Delta Express and their seats seem smaller than everyone elses. I am short, but large, and I can barely move in those seats, but sitting next to her small son should help considerably.

 

[simba2]

She will have no problems.