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Well I have not stepped foot in a plane, but the inlaws in Aussie want us over there for a birthday celebration next year. My question is, will I fit in the seats? Anyone know of a good service to use? TIA

Hi, Not sure of your size - but you should fit in the seat.

A few tips from me (a seasoned traveller): Up until last year when I decided to make an effort to shed 14kg, I could never ever get the seatbelt around me (now with that 14kg floating somewhere around the universe I can just connect the seatbelt's two parts!! Hallelujah). Anyways: for many years I had to: 1. try and conceal the fact that I could not fasten the belt 2. wait for the steward to notice and with great flourish offer me the extention - at which time all the passengers would have their daily movie clip. One day I decided to take CONTROL. I walked through the plane door and firmly told the steward: "I need a seatbelt extension please". He or she will then bring the extension rolled up and quietly drop it in your lap. To fix and fasten it is then another story but practise makes perfect.

Make sure you book an aisle seat - make doubly sure that they (those airline people) book it , at check in, check again that you have your aisle seat. Nothing is worse than having to climb over a passenger without any manners who refuses to get up to let you crawl to your window seat. Horror of horrors!

If possible, try and book as far to the front as possible - not always available unfortunately. Next best is to try for an exit row (more leg space) - but they do not always want to book that - you must, according to them, be able-bodied to sit there.

Go to the loo just before take-off - try to avoid the loo on the plane - you cannot change your mind in there, you cannot even get in there without great manoeuvering.

Eating: The cute little flap down tables - oh my! I could also never get those down - my tummy was in the way. If you have a hubby / friend next to you, that helps if you cannot get the table down, usually you will get it down half way but then it sits at a slant so you can only put some items on it. Liquids then go to your flying mate's table. This can be rather tricky - I have a friend who rather decline than try to outsmart the dining experience but I have always wanted my food!

Above all - enjoy your trip!!

I think I read somewhere that your were size 22 Curvy Jeweller
That being the case, you will have no trouble fitting in the seat. You could possibly also be able to use the normal seatbelt in most airlines, like Singapore, Air NZ, Qantas etc. The likes of Korean Air, Japan Air and Malaysian Airlines may be more of a tight fit . Whichever carrier I am flying with, I always let them know when I do my booking that I am a large person who may need a seat belt extension. It is then noted in the system along with the request for an Aisle seat. It always pays to get to the airport early and get checked in early too. That way you are more likely to get yr preferred seat. I always remind them at that time, that a lap belt extension might be needed. Usually the hostess will bring one along soon after boarding and discreetly drop it in your lap.
I personally have never had any problem fitting in a toilet. Sure there is not enough room to swing a cat in them, but when needs must, I think those a few sizes bigger than us even ( I am 22 /24 ) would also manage to use them for the purpose they were intended to be used . Afraid I have left it far too long now to gain membership of the Mile High Club !.

Hi cj, I am about 145kg at time of typing and I fly all the time. I mostly need to get a selt belt extension, I either ask when I get on the plane or press the attendant call button when I sit down and ask for one, or I go straight down the back if one of the attendants is down there and ask for one. I don't try to be discreet about it as I am quite obviously a big person and it all seems a bit silly, but to each their own.
I haven't been able to use a tray table since time immemorial and so tend to skip food but then I only really fly nationally. When with the beloved beanpole that is my husband, we put the arm up between our seats and I get a bit of his, and we share his tray table.
It's all pretty OK really, the level of service or willingness to assist with 'comfort seats' which means an empty seat next to you, is not as high as it used to be and definitely Air NZz are better for this kind of thing. If you ask rally nicely at check in and don't sound like you expect it of them, they will try to put you in a row with an empty seat beside you. This is a good reason to get there early! Mind you with online checkins etc, this is also harder than it was, but I have experienced it when they will move other people who are checked in, to help me, because, I am sure, I am always pleasant, smile sweetly, ask humbly ensuring to stress that I appreciate they don't have to help me but if they could I would be very grateful etc. And it's true, I AM grateful!

Aww thanks ladies

This makes me feel better.

In tops I am any where from a 22-26 BUT from the belly down I am more like a 24-26, and I am apple shaped which means there is a lot of weight around my belly, lower back and bottom area (apologies, I probably should have said that in my original post), so based on that I am hoping I WILL fit.

Maryanne I will probably be like you in the sense that I am obviously a bigger person so I would expect that they should know I will need the extension if not, I will have to be vocal about it.

I will definitely let them know when I book my ticket and double check prior to getting on the plane.

Thanks for the feedback ladies xox

Crys.

I flew to Wellington and back last weekend and used different airlines. The Pacific Blue's seat belt fit under my overhanging belly apron but the Jet airline's belt had plenty of strap space over the top of my tummy. I'm a 24-26 around my stomach and hips.