For those of you still over 300 lbs - what do you do when

you fly?  I haven't flown for over 8 years.  I'm nervous about it - hate to fly and also self-conscious about my size.  I plan on purchasing two seats because it is a 5 hr flight and I want to be comfortable.  What I am really concerned about is if I have to use the restroom - I mean it is small.  I always wondered how handicapped people used the plane restroom - I know handicapped people fly. 
Anyone with any advice to make my flight a little less traumatizing??  Thanks.

                                                                             Paula

I am 5'8" and I flew at 350 lbs a few years ago.  The flight wasn't very full, but I had only purchased 1 seat and only used on seat (it would have been snug probably if the plane was full).  The bathroom is small but I did manage to use it without any problems.

I'm 5'6" and I flew a few years ago when I weighed around 330 or so.  It wasn't that bad.  I just asked the flight attendant for a seatbelt extension and that worked out fine.  Also the middle seat usually has the most butt room because the inside and outside seats sometimes have a solid arm that doesn't lift up.  I was mortified at the time with flying as big as I was.  I felt like everyone was looking at me and all that junk.  But, in reality it wasn't that bad.  I had nice people sitting next to me and all was fine.  Even the bathroom wasn't so bad.  Sideways is a good way to go in and out of it.  Oh, and did I mention that that was on a long flight overseas to Italy!

I say, don't worry too much about it.  Know that some people are jerks on planes.  But also know that you will survive the trip.  Try not to get too worked up about it.

You can do this!

Hope this helps you!

This is my smart a** answer but its the truth..

I hope you find a better solution than I did.

I flew at my highest around 315 this summer from NY TO CA and what I did is go to the bathroom before I got on the plane and did not drink an ounce or eat a thing till I landed... I know its not the answer you are looking for but I too was afraid of the bathrooms. Can I also add I had my three year old with me and my husband was at home.

It did help that the tickets we had had a connecting flight each way so I only had to make it 3 hours each leg..

I can not wait to fly home to visit again soon, I don't think I will be in as much fear next time.

I would ask for a seat belt extender, last time I was able to get on the plane early since I was traveling with a small child so I got her settled then leaned my seat back and squisshhhheeeddd into my seat belt and was miserable the whole time. I did it just so I did not have to ask for the extension for the seat belt. Stupid !! but I was trying to make myself feel better that maybe I was not that big after all..

PS. Please laugh at this post, I was trying to make you feel better. Really it will be ok, have a good trip. 

When I flew at about 330lbs (I'm 5'10) I needed a seatbelt extender on the small planes, but the belts on the big planes fit.  The bathroom wasn't too bad a squeeze.  We even had an in-flight emergency and I managed to squat down in the aisle to assess, do vital signs, and start O2 on a lady that passed out.  I don't know how I managed that squeeze, but I did!  You will be fine, try not to worry about it too much.  Enjoy your trip :)

I flew to China (12 hours in coach) at 300 lbs. I also flew on a smaller plane while in China. I also flew to New York this past April (same weight). Never even knew they had a such thing as a seatbelt extender. I had more trouble with leg room ( I'm 5'10") than with butt room. Bathrooms are a tight squeeze, but I managed on the China flight. I have a large bladder, so had no need to visit the restroom on either part of the New York trip.

I fly very often and even on American, which I usually fly, it i**** or miss with the seat belt extenders.  What I am saying is that each seat and each plane are different.  It is like they said make the seat belt "about" xx inches.  I often fly in first and business class and it is still hit or miss. 

I would highly recommend you go to SeatGuru.com to find a seat that does not have a fixed armrest.   You have to know the type of plane, so pull it up while you are booking your flight, and then you can decide which seat you want.  It will even tell you the leg room availability, electrical outlets, and overhead storage availability. 

I always take the aisle.  I am usually less comfortable, but at least I don't take anyone elses space.   You can never tell with the windows when you'll be in a seat where the wall cuts in to your personal space. 

Also, on the bathroom issue, there is usually one bathroom on the plane that is larger and may be the one to contain the child changing table and it isn't usually in first class.  I have never seen a true handicap accessible plane restroom that would be large enough for a wheelchair to enter. 

If you request to get on the plane first, they won't usually decline your request.  Then you can board with the families and first class.  You can scope out the bathrooms and decide which will work for you before everyone else boards.

I will share something funny--My last trip back from India had me using the smaller of the two bathrooms in business class.  When I sat down, I didn't realize how close I was to the call button located on the front of the cabinet.  So when I went to "wipe" my elbow hit the button to call the flight attendant.  I was so embarassed when the attendant knocked on the door asking me if I needed help.  I guess she'd seen it before because she just sort of laughed, not at me, but with me,thankfully. 

Have a great trip.

Gosh, thanks everyone - I don't post often but I do still come to the board.  I had to have my Lapband removed last year and I'm still fighting the fight.

                                                                                               Paula

No way would I pay for two seats, one will be fine.  I flew all the time, even went to New Zealand , at 360 pounds.  I agree with some of the other posters.  I always ask for a seatbelt extender as I board.  They usually give it to you right away, but if it's not readily available, they would bring it to you discreetly.  Many of the seats (both window and aisle) have arm rests that will lift up if you know how to do it.  If your hips are getting squished, simply ask the flight attendent how to lift the arm.  They are used to this and trained to be discreet.  They will even move people around if you end up in a row of three people and you are obviously squished.  You will fit in the bathroom, especially on the larger planes, but I remember having trouble wiping good sometimes.  You may want to wear a panty liner, just in case.  Anyway, one of my first goals for losing weight was to NOT have to have a seatbelt extender when I fly.  Last month, I flew to North Carolina at 310 pounds and didn't need one.  Yippee!

Paula,
  I flew in February, for business. Not only was I terrified to fly (if they'd let me in the ****pit to monitor, check credentials, and make sure the pilots were sober and in control, I'd be a better passenger. Alas, that is not an option.  So I was a good passenger (without a few little bottles of Vodka that I needed on a flight to Vegas), but also weighed in at 311 lbs. Since it was business, I had to forgoe the ****tails. But honestly I was more nervous about the seat belts not fitting. I did find they vary from plane to plan. On Continental, didn't need an extension, but on Alaska, definately.  What I learned was that the extensions are kept right up front, so when I boarded, before walking down the isle, I asked for one. I then had to switch planes, and took the extension with me to the next plane. It was much more comfy with the extension. Bathrooms were an okay experience, I fit in fine. On flights longer than two hours, I made sure to get up and walk to the bathroom a few times during the flight...just for the circulation if nothing else.

My advise, get the extension when you board, rather than waiting in your seat and calling the flight attendant. Don't fear the bathroom, and above all else BREATHE.

Happy Travels.