One of my goals is to go on this trip I have planned next month without a seatbelt extender.  Not sure if it's going to happen.  I took a trip a few months pre-op and definitely needed one.  I was 320 and a size 26/28 pants (I'm unfortunately pear-shaped).

My trip is in less than a month and I'm now 242 and a 20 pants.  My waist fits an 18 but my thighs definitely do not, except in stretchy things like yoga pants.

So, just as a poll: what was your weight / size when you did or did not need a seatbelt extender on the airplane?

 Well, I can tell you what size I was when I started needing one!  I think I was around 275, size 22 bottoms. The weird thing is, that on my 2 flights out, and 1 flight back, I was able to use the regular seat belt. Then we changed planes & it didn't fit. Go figure.

If you're 242 and size 20 pants, you should be fine.

I flew seven times during my pre-op six month supervised diet, and on six out of seven planes I was able to squish everything in.... I was down to 310 and still wearing a size 28 though I might have fit a 24 (I'm hourglass shaped)... on teh seventh plane, I put my jacket on my lap and hid the fact I couldn' buckle. I didn't even know there were seat belt extenders.... I thought they would just kick me off the plane. The next time I rode on an airplane I was at goal....the seats were STILL cramped.

I was a 20 when I flew to CA in Feb and I fit just fine.

I only needed one after I was over 300 and a size 28.

I was a size 18 (a few months ago) when I went to the UK and I fit very nicely.  I does depend on the aircraft though.  I had two flights and one seatbelt was quite a bit shorter than the other, but I fit in both (one with less room to spare though)!  I think you'll do fine!  

You'll be fine. The size of the aircraft seems to be a big factor. I was on an American Eagle flight at a size 22 and the belt just would not reach. It was one of those tiny planes with one seat on one side and two seats on the other. Of course, when I asked for an extender, the flight attendant made a HUGE deal out of it. So, after my short flight, I just dropped the extender in my bag. Yep. I am a thief. But now, I have my own extender and I never have to ask for one on a plane. I usually don't need one except on the small aircraft, but it's a comfort to know it's there in my bag and I can slip it on without a big deal if need be. I am not flying until 4-5 months after surgery and my goal is to leave the extender at home and not even think about it.

I detested asking for an extender too.  I just couldn't handle the embarassment after that first time.  So I bought one on EBay -  they aren't that expensive - I think mine was like $10 plus shipping.  I've got one around here somewhere.  Before surgery I needed at least 5 inches of that danged extender and I was a size 32.  Six weeks post op, the seatbelt fit perfectly (I was wearing 24/26's). Last time I flew was February and that was less than 7 months post op .  I had about 5 or 6 extra inches of seatbelt - and I had just gotten into size 18 jeans.  

I think it does vary by airline - but I have had similar "fits" on Delta's 757 and 767's, and on USAir's Airbus - the one that sits 5 or 6 across in coach.

Only negative thing about the weight loss is that I can't justify paying extra for first class - even though coach aka cattle car is not spacious (LOL), the coach seats now fit me better than the first class seats fit preop.  

And that doesn't even address the issue of the stares I used to get - you could almost see people thinking "please don't let your seat be here".  LOL.  

To quote a Disney movie "It's a whole new world".

Actually I think I'll post the lyrics to that song in it's own thread - it really does describe my WLS experience :)

Oh, the looks of, "Please don't be sitting here!" is something I try to explain to my wife, but if you haven't experienced them, you don't get it.  The thing is, I never made anyone on a plane uncomfortable because I made myself so incredibly uncomfortable.  I crossed my arms and never used the arm rests, I made sure I never inched close to the middle line.  It's funny that thin people don't usually have the same courtesy.  

I just flew last month and I'm 5' 3.5" and I weigh about 295-a retty consistent size 24 across the board. No need for a seat belt extender for me!  I'm not sure what airline you are flying but I have found United's seats to be pretty roomy in comparison to some others.

Have a good trip!

I work for an airline. Its actually  NOT the aircraft size. The airline I work for has very large seat belts and most people fit just fine and we have small planes. Our sister carrier who has much bigger Aircraft has smaller seat belts. When I was 279 I could buckle on my own carrier but switching to our sister carrier I needed an extender.  In fact recently we have had trouble keeping the extenders on the aircraft. I think people are are stealing them so they don't have to ask for them on other carriers. I think it makes sense. It is super embarrassing to ask a flight attendant for an extender.. Well at least for me it was.

I am a seat belt thief! You can now order them on eBay very cheaply.

The shortest seat belts I have experienced are on American Eagle and smaller Continental aircraft. All international flights I have taken seem more generous. Jet Blue was always much longer than I needed.

I read an article last month about seat size on airlines. JetBlue has the biggest seats. It may just be an inch but every bit helps!

For a man I find that a 44/46 waist was the turning point. Under 44 you seem to be fine... over 46 you need an extender.  If you are between the two you can suck it in a bit and be uncomfortable.

Of course that all depends on if your waist is above the gut or if you are one of those men who wear your buttons under the gut.  I am an over the gut guy.

I totally agree with everyone about having to ASK for an extender !!!  I can see where people would steal them...It is embarassing to ask for one, especially when the flight attendant makes a BIG deal about it.  I have been told at 320lbs...."Oh, Honey you won't need an extender"....only to have to call her back and ask for it again.  I am flying in June and am looking forward to fastening the seat belt because I KNOW I will fit this time !!!  :)

THANK YOU for posting this! We could be "twins" regarding our current weight/size and goal of wanting to buckle that dang belt. I am 5' 11", 240, size 22 pants. and will be flying overseas on British Airways next month. PANIC the belt won't fit just like the past 10 years of flying has been for me. Last flight (post surgery) i was 299 and the belt did not fit. eggrrrrr. There is something disturbing to me if the thing won't fit this time. Like it is going to be a huge disappointment - its hard to explain. Most of my weight is now in my tummy, so i am PRAYING i can get the belt UNDER and across my lap - since i am flying alone, may have to lift tummy up and ask the friendly neighbor to buckle for me! haha.
Also, seatguru.com is very helpful in aircraft detail if you would like more info. on seat selections, width, etc.
Very best wishes to you and goal. If you hear a big CHEER on May 14th, thats me in Houston after clicking that dang belt!

22 on Hawaiian airlines, 20 on Alaska...