We've see many threads talking about the fear of not fitting into airline seats. Well, it seems our fears are more valid than we realized.

In the 1990's the average airline seat was 18.5 inches across. Today, the average is only 16.5 inches across.

This is despite the fact the average size of a woman has gone from 159 pounds to 166 pounds. The average size of a man has gone from 186 pounds to 196 pounds.

Here's the original article: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/07/travel/feeling-cramped-battle-airline-seat/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

You know, I just took a flight home and observed something 'nice?' for the first time.

I was 3 rows behind a guy who was probably in the 275-300 # range sitting in an aisle seat. He was definitely snug but not too bad.

The stewardess (without asking) walked the aisle during safety checks and when she approached him she lifted his arm lift to give him more room.

I was thinking to myself, that is the first time I've ever seen anyone do anything. I didn't even know the outside arm rest could go up because in my experience it never could. (There's a back lever if you wanted to know ahhaha). Anyway, but than I couldn't help think about all the times my hub and I would travel and all the embarrassing encounters we faced like:

asking for seatbelt extenders, being refused on an amusement ride AFTER waiting over an hour in line and in front of a huge crowd etc. I couldn't help but wonder if he was relieved or embarrassed because we typically want to avoid anyone addressing or noticing that we are overweight. Hmmmmmm

You know, I just took a flight home and observed something 'nice?' for the first time.

I was 3 rows behind a guy who was probably in the 275-300 # range sitting in an aisle seat. He was definitely snug but not too bad.

The stewardess (without asking) walked the aisle during safety checks and when she approached him she lifted his arm lift to give him more room.

I was thinking to myself, that is the first time I've ever seen anyone do anything. I didn't even know the outside arm rest could go up because in my experience it never could. (There's a back lever if you wanted to know ahhaha). Anyway, but than I couldn't help think about all the times my hub and I would travel and all the embarrassing encounters we faced like:

asking for seatbelt extenders, being refused on an amusement ride AFTER waiting over an hour in line and in front of a huge crowd etc. I couldn't help but wonder if he was relieved or embarrassed because we typically want to avoid anyone addressing or noticing that we are overweight. Hmmmmmm

You know, I'm not sure how I would feel in that situation. I guess if she did it discreetly, like just raised his arm rest with a smile but not actually saying anything, I think I'd be thankful. If she came over making a verbal spectacle about "oh here, now you have more room" I'd be embarrassed.

When I flew last winter, I was seriously terrified because of past flying experiences. The last time I'd flown before that was 13 years ago and I couldn't even fit in the seat without squishing my hips painfully in and needing a seat belt extender. It was painful and humiliating to say the least. I was SO relieved when I fit in the seats and didn't the seat belt extender anymore!

I just think it's sad they're making seats smaller to cram in more passengers meanwhile the people are getting bigger. I understand the financial aspect of it all but it seems to really neglect the human aspect.

I lived in fear of the seatbelt extender with my last job that traveled frequently. It was so difficult to buckle my own seatbelt, uncomfortable, and a real workout to SEE the buckle a snap it. I never had the extender but was paranoid some attendant would bring one to me in all my shame. Never again! I will not fly until I can snap it and pull the extra tight. Also theatre seats are a bit of a challenge if I don't lift an arm rest....but its dark in there.

You know, I just took a flight home and observed something 'nice?' for the first time.

I was 3 rows behind a guy who was probably in the 275-300 # range sitting in an aisle seat. He was definitely snug but not too bad.

The stewardess (without asking) walked the aisle during safety checks and when she approached him she lifted his arm lift to give him more room.

I was thinking to myself, that is the first time I've ever seen anyone do anything. I didn't even know the outside arm rest could go up because in my experience it never could. (There's a back lever if you wanted to know ahhaha). Anyway, but than I couldn't help think about all the times my hub and I would travel and all the embarrassing encounters we faced like:

asking for seatbelt extenders, being refused on an amusement ride AFTER waiting over an hour in line and in front of a huge crowd etc. I couldn't help but wonder if he was relieved or embarrassed because we typically want to avoid anyone addressing or noticing that we are overweight. Hmmmmmm

Personally, I would have been embarassed, however all of the airplanes have that function - because of disabilities of folks that need help getting into the seat, there needs to be a function that the arm rest lifts in case they need to slide in

If the flight attendant was discreet about it, I'd be appreciative for the extra comfort. If he/she did it derisively, well that's another story...