[GoingFor3]

My husband and I are larger people, and when we flew for our first adoption we went with Aeroflot business class. But since the armrests didn't go up, it was still a bit uncomfortable. Are other airlines' business class a little wider, or should we just buy an extra seat in economy? Please no flames. TIA!

[marjo]

As a fellow "fluffy" traveler I have been concerned about this too. Let's hope we get some ideas, this is usually a good group so I hope we don't get any lectures on our weight.

[Military Momma]

I don't know what airline you will end up but as a "fluffy" person myself...DON'T travel Swiss Air for the long flight. They were the smallest seats I knew of. The armrest didn't go up either! Swiss airlines from Zurich to Moscow were much, much bigger and more comfortable!

Hope this helps,
Lisa

[Bcelli]

I haven't flown business class on other airlines, but was under the impression the extra room came front-to-back instead of side-to-side. I am ever grateful for rising armrests myself, but having watched that Airline show on A&E - if anyone hasn't seen it, it's a MUST see - I feel a little better equipped to address flight issues. You might even want to check out 2 1st class prices vice 3 coaches - for comfort reasons. You never know when you'll run into a deal. Have a joyous trip.

[Besoot]

Here is a thought

On the overseas portion, buy three seats that are in the middle section of the aircraft. I work for an airline and almost all international aircraft will have at least 2 seats on either side of the plane, then the three in the middle, like this (XX XXX XX).

When making the reservation, just tell them you want the three seat section and not to have a bulkhead OR an exit row because those arm rests don’t go up and don’t get the last row because they don’t recline. Despite the awkwardness, tell whoever is making the reservation that you are overweight, some airlines will even give that extra seat a discount, if you are lucky.

I am a former fluffy (thanks to gastric bypass, I am down 70 pounds) and my husband is 300+ and we LOVE getting those three seats together. May not be as roomy as business class as far as legroom, but plenty of 'elbow' room. Oh, and business class arm rests do not go up.

Good luck

[LindaBel]

My husband and I are both "fluffy" as well. We flew NW for the long legs on a plane that had a 2-5-2 configuration in coach and got seated either in the 2 part (1 aisle and one window seat together) and kept the armrest up or asked for aisle seats across from each other (so we each got an aisle). Not too bad either way. Just stay away from the bulkead row - those armrests don't go up.

[GoingFor3]

Thanks, everyone! I have found that Delta's seats are smaller than other airlines, even in business. Does anyone know for sure if that is the case? Any other thoughts/suggestions (on the seats ) are welcome - thanks again!

[CarolinaWife]

Try looking at www.seatguru.com

The seat sizes and arrangement will depend on what flight (and therefore plane) you are taking. This website allows you to look at most of the major airlines seating arrangements and shows both the width and the pitch of the seats.

Delta's 777 has 17" seats in economy and 21" in business.
Continental has 17.9" and 22", respectively.
American has 18.2" and 20.0", respectively.

Pardon me while I measure myself and see where I fit!

[EJsDad]

We flew Delta from LAX-JFK-Moscow and we were a bit uncomfortable in those standard, economy seats on the flight from JFK-Moscow (LAX-JFK, we had an empty seat on our row,so we lucked out). As another poster mentioned above, be sure to request the middle aisle - this is how we got the empty seat next to us! Unfortunately, at least on the Delta flight from JFK-Moscow, those tend to always fill up, so, if you're a little more "fluffier" than most, I'd buy the extra seat for comfort!

On the way back, we purchased a seat for our toddler (14 months) and we were GLAD we did it - it was worth every penny to have that extra room for our son AND ourselves in the middle.

Now, the flight from Moscow to our region was a different story..... LOL!