Flying the Friendly Skies with Confidence and Comfort

by Sarah Bramblette, MSHL; Terri Cullen, PhD; and Kenlie Fite, DrPH, MPH, CPCLC

Summer 2025

Growing up, the extent of my travel experience occurred in the “way back” of the family station wagon, then we upgraded to a minivan. I was the youngest of five children so I was used to being crammed into tight spaces with others. That family trip from Ohio to Florida made many memories, both good and hilarious.

It wasn’t until I was in college that I had the opportunity to fly to a student leadership conference. I weighed over 400 lbs but this was in the mid-90s before 911, before social media and when airplanes were still built for the average human being and flights weren’t regularly oversold. I do not remember being worried about flying. I was traveling with people who knew me, people who didn’t judge me. We lucked out and our seats were spread across the entire row with empty middle seats on the way to our destination and on the way back I had an entire row to myself.

A couple years later I didn’t have as friendly of an experience. I again was traveling with a fellow student leader and he was seated next to me. When the flight attendant brought me a seat belt extender, she leaned over and asked him if he’d prefer to move to another seat for “his comfort.” He declined. She didn’t seem concerned with my comfort. While I wouldn’t have minded if he moved, I appreciated that he did not.

Many years and many frequent flier miles later, I’ve learned to navigate the friendly skies quite well. In the past decade I’ve traveled for work, advocacy, personal vacations and healthcare. Flying is a necessary part of life for many, one that should not be limited based on our body size. After all, more than 40% of Americans are living with obesity. Despite what the news and social media portray, my flying experience has been more positive than negative.

Since summer is the season for travel, I wanted to share some tips with you to lessen the fear and anxiety of flying.

Extra Seat – Will I fit? Will I be forced to buy two seats? This may depend on body size, shape and preference. Airline policies on requiring additional seats vary, as does the price and process for booking.

• Check first class – occasionally, a first class ticket is less expensive than two coach tickets and first class includes other perks, such as checked luggage.
• Traveling with others – traveling with others may save you worrying about sitting next to a stranger; be certain you purchase a ticket that allows you to select your seats.

At the Airport

• If you have trouble walking long distances, request wheelchair assistance. An attendant will escort you to the gate, with stops if needed. Airlines will note your reservation for layovers and arrival. The service is free; tipping is appreciated.
• When traveling with a mobility device you should check with the airline policy prior to your travel date.
• TSA PreCheck helps get through security with ease. The PreCheck lane doesn’t require taking off shoes or removing items from carry-on. If you don’t have PreCheck, wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
• Medications should be kept in their original bottles. Liquid medications can be over 3 ozs, but need to be screened separately. Medical devices do not count as part of your carry-on limit; however, be sure to label them as medical equipment.
• You can request to pre-board or board when they call for passengers that need extra time to be able to get to your seat without having to pass by others.

Seat Belt Extenders

• Do not judge your self-worth by the length of a seatbelt. The only purpose of a seatbelt is to keep you safe.
• Seat belt lengths can vary. Airlines trim frayed belts and reattach buckles during maintenance so even belts on the same plane can be different lengths.
• Do NOT buy your own extender online, they’re not FAA-approved and may not fit the aircraft. To ensure you have the proper and safe extender, use the ones provided on board your flight.
• Ask the flight attendant for one as you board the flight, and give it back as you exit the plane so it’s available for passengers on the next flight.
• Note – Extenders are not permitted to be used in certain seats onboard – exit row, etc. Check the airline website for additional information.

TSA Tips

• Label medical devices (ex. CPAP)
• Shoes that are easy to take off and put back on
• Call ahead for any questions or special requests – TSA.gov/travel/tsa-cares/passenger-support or TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227

Selecting a Seat

• Seat selection might depend on personal preferences.
• A window seat allows me to get seated and not worry about having to let others in and out. Also; sitting by the window my arms won’t get in the way of others walking down the aisle or the service carts.
• The aisle seat allows the ability to get out of your seat when needed, however, you might get bumped as others pass by.
• The aisle armrest goes up to make it easier to get in and out of the row, but will have to be lowered before take off.
• Note: some extra-legroom or bulkhead seats may be narrower or have fixed armrests.

Take Care While in the Air – higher altitude can impact our bodies

• Stay hydrated (you can bring an empty water bottle to fill after security)
• Healthy snacks to avoid expensive temptation purchases
• Pack all medications in carry-on
• Move your feet – do ankle flex to help circulation
• Check if your doctor recommends compression socks

Terri Cullen, PhD

Being able to book an extra seat allowed me to maintain professional dignity when interviewing.  I worried that my obesity would restrict my ability to get a new job, so when I had an on-site interview, my ability to book a second seat outside of the potential employer was key to me getting the job. My interview started at the moment I arrived at the airport, so being able to schedule a second seat myself was key to me performing well on the interview.

As a professional who travels a lot, I often get asked by younger professionals how I deal with the stress of travel at my size.  I recently had a conversation with a junior colleague who told me that she was more willing to attend professional conferences and advance her career now that she knew that she could request a second seat.

Don’t let anxiety about flying keep you from traveling.  You deserve to advance your career,  and see the world whatever your size.

It has always struck me that I don’t see many people like me when I travel internationally.  It’s not that we don’t exist, it is that we let the anxiety of negative travel experiences keep us from seeing the world.  The more of us that assert our right to see the world, the more people that can see they can do it too.

More and more people are requesting a seat belt extender.  Remember it is not about embarrassment, it’s about safety. You deserve to be safe if there is ever an in air emergency and everyone’s safety depends on everyone being restrained if there is an emergency.

Kenlie Fite, DrPH, MPH, CPCLC

When I accepted a position at a global nonprofit organization in public health, I anticipated frequent travel and the opportunity to support laboratory scientists in becoming more effective leaders. My work involves training highly skilled public health laboratory scientists in leadership areas like building trust, communicating clearly, and navigating team dynamics. It’s meaningful work, and it requires me to be on the move often.

Travel, however, hasn’t always felt this seamless. Over a decade ago, I experienced firsthand the challenges of flying in coach as a person living in a larger body. At that time, a flight-related incident turned into a viral news story when I spoke out about being called “too fat to fly.” The experience was painful and dehumanizing, and while it brought national attention to the issue of size-based discrimination, it also revealed how few systems were designed with human bodies in mind. Since then, I’ve carried those lessons with me, navigating travel policies and often paying out of pocket for the extra space I needed just to travel with basic comfort and dignity.

When I started this position, I expected to do the same. During a conversation with our HR director about travel logistics, I shared that I typically purchase a second seat to ensure a safe and respectful travel experience. I wasn’t requesting reimbursement—just clarity on how best to coordinate through our travel system. But to my surprise, their response was immediate and sincere, and they expressed that I shouldn’t have to pay extra to be safe and comfortable while I work. I provided a letter of accommodation, which was described as a medical necessity by my doctor, and now simply attach it to my travel requests. Each time, the accommodation is honored without hesitation. There’s no embarrassment, no awkwardness—just respect and support.

My organization has never made me feel like my size is a limitation. Instead, I’ve been promoted, entrusted with large-scale leadership initiatives, and encouraged to pursue projects aligned with my passions. Most recently, I completed my Doctor of Public Health at Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. My dissertation— “Weight stigma leads to implicit bias, which, in turn, is associated with a lower health-related quality of life for people living in larger bodies”—grew directly from my lived experiences, including those early days of flying.

The difference between then and now is striking. Over a decade ago, I was forced to defend my right to exist in public space. Today, I’m part of an organization that proactively ensures I can do my job with comfort and dignity. I hope more workplaces follow suit—not because it makes headlines, but because it makes a real difference in the lives of those they employ.

Airline policies can change so always check the website to check the policy for purchasing an extra seat. The policy can be referred to as Passenger or Customer of Size, Extra Seat, Extra Space or Special Needs.

About the Authors:

Sarah Bramblette, MSHL, is the OAC Senior Advocacy Manager and a longtime health advocate who uses her personal experiences to raise awareness about obesity, access to care and weight bias. Her travels have provided the opportunity to meet people all across the country which in turns has allowed her to build connections and relationships that help her advocacy efforts.

Terri Cullen, PhD, is a professional educator and frequent traveler who champions dignity and inclusion for people with obesity. She is proud that she has learned to advocate for herself and others and has successfully brought about change and access. 

Kenlie Fite, DrPH, MPH, CPCLC, is a population scientist whose background and lived experience shapes her work in developing strong leaders in public health laboratories across the US and Canada.

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