Ruth Haines
Plus-size travellers often face discomfort and discrimination when flying. One of the most common concerns is whether they will fit into the airplane seat belt. While some people opt to buy their own seat belt extenders, this is not recommended as they are not considered safe by FAA guidelines and could void your travel insurance. Instead, it is advised to request a seat belt extender from the flight attendants, who are trained to provide these discreetly and without discrimination. Therefore, while you may not be able to buy a seat belt extender at the airport, you can easily request one from the flight attendants during your flight for free.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should I buy my own seat belt extender? | It is not recommended to buy your own seat belt extender as the FAA does not consider them safe. |
| Can I use my own seat belt extender? | The FAA prohibits passengers from using their own seat belt extenders. |
| Can I buy a seat belt extender at the airport? | It is not mentioned whether seat belt extenders can be bought at the airport, but they are provided on flights. |
| Can I get a seat belt extender on the flight? | Yes, airlines are required by law to provide seat belt extenders on flights free of charge. |
| How can I get a seat belt extender on the flight? | You can ask the flight attendant for a seat belt extender as you board the flight or when you are seated. |
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What You'll Learn
Asking for a seat belt extender on a flight
If you are one of the first to board, you can ask the flight attendant for a seat belt extender as you head to your seat. If you board later, try to grab an aisle seat to easily flag down an attendant for an extender. You can also ask for an extender as you board before taking your seat. If you realise you need an extender while seated, simply ask a member of the cabin crew, and they will bring it to you.
According to a 2020 report by TripSavvy, seat belt lengths range from 31 to 51 inches, depending on the airline. It is a good idea to research the aircraft you'll be flying on before your trip. You can contact the airline directly or check the airline's website for the plane's layout and seat dimensions.
While some passengers choose to bring their own seat belt extenders, this is not recommended. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits passengers from using their own extenders, as they cannot ensure these devices comply with strict safety guidelines. The FAA only endorses and regularly tests the seat belt extenders provided by airlines. Using your own extender may also affect your travel insurance.
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Buying your own seat belt extender
While some travellers prefer to bring their own seat belt extenders, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advises airlines not to allow passengers to use their own devices. This is because they cannot ensure that passenger-owned extenders comply with strict safety guidelines. The FAA only endorses, tests, and inspects seat belt extenders that are provided by the airlines. Seat belt extenders provided by the airlines have been tested to meet stringent safety standards, and those purchased online could break or fail in an accident.
If a seatbelt extender you bought online states it has FAA documentation, this is likely fake, as the FAA does not endorse, test, inspect, or certify the use of passenger-provided safety devices. The FAA has said that many companies selling these devices online will include "FAA documentation", but this paperwork is not legitimate.
Using your own airline seatbelt extender could also affect your travel insurance. If a passenger uses their own seat belt extender rather than one provided by the airline, then in the event of an incident where the passenger is injured or killed, the passenger's travel, life, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, supplemental health coverage, and life insurance may be void because they failed to use an FAA-approved, inspected, tested, and certified safety device provided by the airline.
If you are worried about fitting into a seatbelt on an aeroplane, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your flight. First, try to get the details of the aircraft you'll be flying on. You can do this by contacting the airline directly or looking for a diagram of the plane's layout and seat dimensions on the airline's website. Once you board your flight and buckle up, ask for a seat belt extender if the belt feels tight. Airlines provide seat belt extenders on flights, and they are required by law to do so at no charge. Flight attendants are trained to deal with these situations as gracefully as possible, and they do not discriminate against passengers based on their size.
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Safety concerns with personal seat belt extenders
While personal seat belt extenders may be purchased by travellers, they are not considered safe by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines. The FAA advises airlines and flight attendants not to allow passengers to bring their own seat belt extenders onto a flight. This is because airlines cannot ensure that passenger-owned extenders comply with the strict safety guidelines they have in place.
In the case of an incident, the use of a personal seat belt extender may void a passenger's travel, life, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, supplemental health coverage, and life insurance. The FAA also advises that any passengers injured by a personal seat belt extender may be legally and/or financially responsible for the injuries or deaths of any nearby passengers.
Personal seat belt extenders may not work with the mechanism of the plane buckle, preventing passengers from escaping in an emergency. They may also snap under pressure or weight, or cause the shoulder belt to slide onto the arm, rather than resting on the collar bone. This can cause a huge safety issue as the shoulder belt is meant to keep the head and chest held tight in a crash.
Additionally, using a seat belt extender made by a different manufacturer than the vehicle itself puts passengers at risk. Mismatching the vehicle and extender could prevent the seat belt extender from fully latching.
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Seat belt extenders and travel insurance
Seat belt extenders are an incredibly sensitive topic for plus-size travellers. While the aviation industry has received scrutiny for the size of seats on airplanes, there are options for plus-size travellers when it comes to seat belt extenders and policies for those of size.
Airlines do provide seat belt extenders on flights as they are required by law to do so at no charge. According to a 2020 report by TripSavvy, seat belt lengths range anywhere between 31 and 51 inches, depending on the airline you're flying. One of the best things travellers can do before taking off is research. Prior to your flight, try to get the details of the aircraft you'll be flying in. You can do this by contacting the airline directly or looking for a diagram of the plane's layout and seat dimensions on the airline's website.
However, some travellers prefer to bring their own personal seat belt extenders. The FAA advises airlines not to allow personal seat belt extenders, but this has not stopped travellers from purchasing their own. This is because they are concerned about their comfort and safety, and they feel more comfortable bringing a belt than asking for one.
If a passenger uses their own seat belt extender instead of one provided by the airline, it may affect their travel insurance. In the event of an incident where the passenger is injured or killed, the passenger's travel, life, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, supplemental health coverage and life insurance may be void because they failed to use an FAA-approved, inspected, tested, and certified safety device provided by the airline.
Therefore, it is important for travellers to be aware of the risks associated with using their own seat belt extenders. While it may be more comfortable and convenient to bring your own extender, it is not worth risking your safety and insurance coverage. It is always best to request a seat belt extender from the airline if you need one.
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Discomfort with asking for a seat belt extender
Asking for a seat belt extender can be a stressful experience for some. For plus-size travellers, airplane seats can be uncomfortable, and not fitting into a seat belt can feel like a confirmation that their body is "wrong, bad and unworthy", as therapist Katie Piel told HuffPost. This discomfort may lead some to purchase their own seat belt extenders, despite the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advising airlines not to allow passengers to bring their own.
However, there are several reasons why it is better to ask for an extender than to bring your own. Firstly, the FAA does not approve any third-party seat belt extenders on the market, and using your own extender could void your travel insurance. In the case of an incident, you may be held legally and financially responsible for any injuries or deaths of nearby passengers. Secondly, the seat belt extenders provided by flight attendants are FAA-approved and regularly inspected and maintained under each airline's FAA-accepted Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP). Therefore, they are much safer than any extender you might purchase online.
While some travellers may feel embarrassed about asking for a seat belt extender, many flight attendants are trained to deal with these situations gracefully and are only concerned with keeping their passengers safe. One flight attendant commented on Reddit that in ten years of flying, they had never seen an attendant deny a passenger an extender. Another said that they could "'give two shits if you are fat' and that safety is more important than ego. Additionally, some passengers who have asked for extenders have reported that flight attendants did not make a big deal out of it, and they felt that other passengers did not care or even notice.
If you are still uncomfortable with asking for a seat belt extender, there are a few strategies you can use to make the experience less stressful. Firstly, try to be one of the first to board the plane and ask a flight attendant for a belt as you head to your seat. If you are not able to board early, try to grab an aisle seat so that you can easily reach out to an attendant for an extender without disturbing other passengers. You can also try to ask for an extender when people are busy with other tasks, such as placing their bags in the overhead compartment.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot buy a seat belt extender at the airport. Airlines are required to carry a minimum of four seat belt extenders per flight and provide them to passengers free of charge.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits passengers from using their own seat belt extenders as they are not considered safe. The FAA only endorses and regularly tests and inspects the seat belt extenders provided by the airlines.
If you need a seat belt extender, simply ask a flight attendant for one when you board the plane or when you are seated. Flight attendants are trained to provide them discreetly, so there is no need to feel embarrassed.
