The best way to deal with long legs on airplanes is to 1) buy an exit-row ticket, 2) ask for free premium seats when entering the aircraft, or 3) buy knee defenders.
A trick is to fold the legs at the shins and tuck the feet under your seat. This gives a few extra inches of room for your knees.
If you are in a bad seat with little space and nothing to do about it, it’s a good idea to get up and walk every 1-2 hours. Otherwise, your blood circulation can be prohibited and start to cause pain in your legs.
Movement is by far the best cure for stopping your legs from hurting on a long flight. The seats are not made for tall people, so we have to make an extra effort to keep our legs sound on those trips.
Best and Worst Airlines for Tall People
Airplane seats. The word that will make most of us talk endlessly about the impossible positions we have to get into in order to fit inside modern-day aircraft when flying tall – it is a surefire conversation starter among people above 6’4″ worldwide.
It is equally safe to say that most of us do not have the financial ability or the mileage to book every flight we get on, right up at the front of the plane to enjoy the comforts of business class – let alone first class – this article is for those of us who are forced into the sardine-can like conditions we find towards the back of the plane when your boarding card has ‘economy class’ stamped on it.
How do you survive a long haul flight in the economy?
As most of you probably already know, the conditions in the economy seem to accommodate people less than 160 cm tall. This article will provide a few strategies to deal with this as a tall person.
Airline seat legroom is defined by ‘seat pitch’ which can be used to compare the available legroom on different airlines – seat pitch is the total distance between the backs of the seats. in this chart, you can compare airline seat pitches.
✅ The airlines with the MOST legroom
- United (36″)
- American Airlines (36″)
- EL AL (36″)
- Delta/Air Canada (36″)
- KLM (35″)
? The airlines with the LEAST legroom
- Austrian (30″)
- Air Berlin (30″)
- Aeroflot (31″)
- Turkish Airways (32″)
- British Airways (32,5″)
It is worth noting that there can be great variations within each airline depending on what type of aircraft you will be flying, so the above numbers are based on averages for each airline.
When manufacturers deliver an airplane to the airline it comes as an empty shell. It is up to each airline to fit the seats into the plane – thus also deciding on the legroom to be available.
The above list thus serves as a guideline to ‘tall-friendlier’ airlines. Though I would argue that no airline as of yet comes across as being systematically tall-friendly.
Let’s move on to strategies for dealing with legroom when flying.
Strategy #1 – Book your seat (Front row or emergency)
First of all, try to get a seat either at the emergency exits or right up in the front row seats, this is a no-brainer, but you should always, always, always try to get these seats, as a seat in this category will make your trip a world apart from being cramped into the standard seats.
However, those seats usually seem to be occupied by people so short that they can barely touch the floor with their feet or people so old I have doubts that they can actually operate the emergency doors if needed.
No age discrimination here, I’m just saying that this is perhaps the only place in our society where older people will be just as well off with a regular seat – and might actually give up an emergency exit seat for a younger – taller – person – unless you’re tall and elderly of course.
The truth is that these seats are often reserved for frequent fliers or employees of the airline enjoying the benefits of flying within the ‘family’.
If you are a frequent flier and enjoy some sort of status on your preferred airline – being preferred for emergency exits and front seats might be THE greatest advantage you’ll have. Even better than priority luggage and access to lounges.
___
My recommendation is to not hesitate to utilize this benefit and just flash your gold membership (I know I would) and I will salute you tall people on the front row/emergency exits on my way towards the back of the plane.
Many airlines allow online check-in – if you set your alarm on your phone for the earliest online check-in you might just beat the crowds. If you did not get your seat online – ask at the check-in counters when arriving at the airport – I have had my seat changed this way a few times.
Some airlines will have you pay for the option of reserving a seat – this can be money well spent, although I’ll leave the decision up to you.
If you didn’t get the seat before boarding the plane you can always ask a flight attendant when seated if it is possible to move. There is no harm in asking and it might just work it has worked for me a few times.
See if you can get a hold of the tallest of the attendants – (s)he might just understand your problem better. I have even witnessed people being kindly asked if they are willing to move in favor of a tall person.
Strategy #2 – Ask about any empty exits
The next best thing if you can’t get the front row or the emergency exit will be the row just behind the emergency exit row, this is because the seats on the emergency row for safety reasons do not recline. This leaves you with little, but uninterrupted legroom.
This may not apply to every airplane, but it is something to consider aiming for if you have the chance to choose.
Which Airlines Give the Most Legroom?
If you do your research in advance you might have a slightly better shot at the emergency exits. Go to seatguru.com and find out what row you need to be in to get the seat you need. When approaching the check-in desk you give the nice lady your best smile and say: ”Anything available in row 14 or 15?” – instead of just asking for an ”emergency exit seat”.
We do not have data to back it, but my own experience is that the success rate seems slightly higher. And just for the record – the old trick of dressing nicely (a clean polo, long pants, and closed shoes will do.
No need to break out the suit and tie) and behaving politely might also help you towards obtaining these sought-after seats in the economy class.
Strategy #3 – Cope + Get up
If #1 and #2 fails (which they often do). you need to rethink your strategy and exercise damage control. In a normal airplane seat the average space between the edge of your seat and the back of the seat in front of you is roughly 25 cm (which is about the span of my hand from little finger to my thumb when I stretch out my hand) – ‘seat pitch’ is a different measurement as described above.
With this little space at my disposal, every millimeter counts, so I’ll usually remove my shoes to get those extra 2 cms that removing my soles will give me.
I then selfishly splay my legs – to steal as much legroom from my neighbor as possible – including putting my knee in the aisle on my other side – usually resulting in numerous bruises from meal carts.
I make sure to put my feet as far under the seat in front of me (just before badly bruising my shinbone on the strangely razer-sharp egdes at the bottom of the seat in front of me).
Sitting in this position – You’ll literally be pinned down if the person in front of you reclines the seat, but it is the only way I have found so far to cope with the seat plans in modern aircraft.
Or you can purchase a pair of Knee Defenders, so the person in front of you simply cannot recline the seat.
Note: If you find yourself on a long haul using strategy #3 (coping) – then you must be aware of the ‘economy class syndrome‘ (blood clogs in your legs – due to not moving around much).
Especially if pinned down by the traveler in front of you. Try to get up and walk around once every hour or so.
UPDATE: This article may be useful for booking exit rows and plane seats with extra legroom. It’s about the best time to book flights based on 917 million airfares. Have a good read.
Flying can be hell for tall people, but hopefully, these tips make it a little more bearable.
Now it’s your turn
So that’s how I deal with airplanes when flying tall.
Now I want to turn it over to you: What are your best tips for traveling comfortably?
Have you tried any of the above? Or can you recommend something, I’ve completely left out?
Let me know by leaving a quick comment below right now.
Steen Hansen
June 11, 2014Well I mostly used trains at trips around Europe until september 2012 when I would like to go to London and drive in England for the first time – a Whole other story but quite easy actually.
After much consideration and reconsideration I decided to book a Flight with Norwegian – no problems at all except the 60 DKK I have to pay for seat chosing – later changed to 90 DKK.
Since then I have always chosen Norwegian whenever I want to go somewhere – taken the train on destinations where there are no Norwegian flights avaiable.
In july I wanted to go to London Again but Norwegian was sold out, so I booked at Easyjet instead – paying around 500 DKK ekstra due to their strict luggage regulations and Again seatreservation.
I’m flying 5 to 10 times a year and had always got a seat in the first row – ALL IT TAKES IS AN EARLY BOOKING.
Rued
June 12, 2014So you are going with the first strategy – to just book in advance and reserve the seats with the most space. That is probably the best solution to the problem, and whenever this isn’t possible, you can always try to ask to be reseated and hope for the best 🙂
Thank you for your comment
Chris
February 10, 2018Knee protection tip-
Put the in-fight magazine between your knee and the seat in front of you. If you place it correctly you can easily prevent the seat in front of you from reclining, while you stretch your other leg out in the aisle or under the seat. Switch legs as your pain level dictates.
The other trick I’ve found work really well is to just stand in the aisle during the flight for as long as possible. If they ask you to sit down, insist on using the bathroom immediatley to buy more time.
Happy cramping!
Chris
6’6″ frequent flyer
Rued
July 23, 2018Haha, great additional strategies that seem good to keep in mind for my next flight. Thanks for sharing!
/Rued
Anonymous
December 12, 2019I Faxed my congressman to ask if they could do somthing about it and he said no they cant
Steen Hansen
June 13, 2014Actually I had experinced that people being allowed to reseat in the first row WITHOUT paying the fee in a halfempty airplane.
If you are two person’s flying in one of these airplanes with 3 seats left and 3 seats right, and are somewhat selfish (maybe we should be considering how we are treated as tall persons) you could consider reserve the two outside seats – example 1a and 1c. The seat in the middle are then often unsold and you got an emty seat in the middle to use for bags etc.
Sarah
June 6, 2022My question is a bit different. My 6 ft 10 in husband refuses to fly to europe due to lack of headroom on planes. He knows we can get the space by the emergency entrance, so he would have legroom, but he doesn’t want to duck throughout the the plane when he gets up to walk. Any suggestions?
Frank Booth
February 15, 2015This article totally strikes a nerve with me, especially the part about the use of exit seating for preferred customers. I’m 6 foot 7, 245 lbs and I have been on too many flights where I’ve seen old ladies and diminutive men sitting in exit aisle seats simply because they paid a little extra or are frequent flyers. I flew back from Denver last week and was thrilled (insert eye roll here) to be given a middle seat one row behind the exit aisle. As I took my seat I noticed that of the twelve exit aisle seats, 9 were occupied by women all well over the age of fifty. One was occupied by an elderly gentleman, one by a diminutive nerd that looked like he would have trouble bench pressing his laptop. The 12th occupant was a younger gentleman that looked fit enough. I put my faith in him and painfully leaned forward to tell him so as the stewardess issued instructions on what to do in case of emergency should this band of geriatrics that the airline had entrusted with the safety of the remaining passengers be pressed into service.
As we taxied the guy sitting next to me grabbed a stewardess and as he jabbed a thumb in my direction and said, “This guy should be in an exit seat.” The stewardess looked at my folded up legs and said she would ask…..which she did. One of the little old ladies UNCROSSED HER LEGS to turn and look at me….(after we landed she needed help getting her carry-on out of overhead storage yet she was entrusted with moving a 50 pound airplane door) No takers. The stewardess kindly and loudly apologized that no one was willing to give up their seat and the two guys gave me a few good laughs poking fun at the occupants of the exit seats as we readied for take off…..”Can I fetch you an ottoman, ma’am?”
Is some of my frustration sour grapes? You bet! But some of it is, I believe, a legitimate safety concern. A few passengers around me stated that rather than asking the occupants of the exit seats if THEY think they can handle the responsibilities that accompany sitting in those seats, airline personnel should ask the other 170 passengers if THEY trust those folks with doing the job. The people on this flight had their doubts.
Martin
January 12, 2016Hello,
please remove the false information about exit row seats not reclining (and the seats behind exit rows thus being a second best option), i.e. Strategy #2. This is simply not true.
The seats just in front of an exit row usually don’t recline in order not to intrude into the exit row. If there are two exit rows one behind the other, the first row does not recline. But that’s not because of being an exit row, but because of being in front of an exit row!
Rued
March 7, 2016Thanks for the comment – I’ve added a comment to #2 about this not applying to all airplanes.
Bobby
August 9, 2018It’s not that it doesn’t apply on all airplanes. It almost NEVER applies. I’ve taken exit seats for decades and have never been in one that doesn’t recline.
Rand Iserman
April 17, 2016Airlines can be very immune to accommodating tall people, as I have experienced over the years. I am 6′-8″ and have had to sit on the armrest because there was no room for my upper legs. The flight attendants did not want to disturb any of the ‘normal passengers’ (inferring that someone as abnormal as me should never get on her flight again). That was a BA flight, where they told everyone that there would be no cabin luggage available, and only approved luggage could be checked, leaving me to buy luggage in Heathrow just before the flight. On another flight, I was banned from the exit row and put in the window seat in the back of the plane because the lady in front of me objected to my knees being in her back when she fully reclined the seat. This was in Colombia, in a domestic flight to a small city.
Rued
July 23, 2018Thanks for sharing the story – I’m sure a lot of tall people have had similar experiences.
/Rued
Jerry
April 21, 2016Hey,
Being 6’6 and 318lb I definitely have some flying woes, including the walk down the isle to my seat and people make eye-contact with me as if to plead “please not by me!”. I have to admit flying is always frustrating, and I think that the wee-folk don’t understand the plight of us giants.
I have found that if I ask for an upgrade before the flight (depending on airline) that I can usually pay 40-50 dollars and actually sit in first class if any are available, this is an amazing experience.
Speaking of coping and using every cm you can steal, dress light! Wear thin clothes, even in the winter it’s worth it! I actually have clothing I travel in specifically so I can easily get through security speedily, and also so that I can stow my carry on and have the most legroom that I can. Also, sit by someone small who wont be as bothered by how much room your frame takes up.
harjot
June 8, 2016hi there, i am 6,7 and 14 years old and we are going on a trip in December half way around the world and back. Business class costs 14,082 for me, my brother, and my dad, but first class costs 24,876. We are buying first class seats but i would like to you before we do that do first class seats help or are they just as uncomfortable as business class seats. If they are better then we will go with first class but if no then we will not. Please let me know so we can know and buy the tickets accordingly.
Thanks!
Rued
June 17, 2016Tall people would prefer the better options – pay a bit extra and get a nicer seat with more leg room and all. It depends on whether you can fit into a normal seat or not. If you can, the difference isn’t that big and I would go for the cheaper option.
Jens
June 24, 2016Hi,
There is many tricks as written here on this blog.
To consideration:
1. when the aeroplane is in international airspace the captain can hand you over to any authorities.
2. when at destination your civil rights are protected and the captain has no longer control over your faith.
My trick:
I fake a bad stomach due to anxiety created by my legs being squashed and the pain is making an acute diarrhea which forces me to occupy the toilet for the duration of the flight. Diarrhea is not a serious enough cause for an emergency landing so you can bring your books and snack into the toilet and enjoy not only a leg room but your private cabin legally. The captain might be pissed off at your use of a perfectly legal right but who cares. Nevertheless there is always three bathrooms in a plane so nobody should really suffer.
The captain has his instruments available, be creative with yours 🙂
The toilet also has a sink that you can wash your hands and the staff will regularly pass you water andimodium that you if you want can flush down the fantastic seat your but rest on.
Use your creativity 🙂
Joe Atwater
September 10, 2016Let’s face it, the world is prejudice to tall people. I’m 6’4″ and quite familiar with being extremely uncomfortable on planes. I have a solution but doubt very much the airlines would agree. Why not have a sign by each bulkhead and emergency row seat just like they do with amusement park rides. “You have to be this tall (over 6 feet) to occupy these seats”. This at least would help some of us tall people. I always scowl at people who sit in the emergency row who are under 5 feet. Give us a break shorty!
Rued
September 16, 2016That’s a great idea – how can we make it happen? 🙂 maybe pitch an airplane company and hear what their reaction is. It totally makes sense 🙂
Mike Connolly
July 20, 2017An excellent idea. However if the airlines think they can grab an extra few bob from us and its not politically correct enough to warrant special attention for tall folks on plane the situation will continue to deteriorate. I was on a Fly Dubai flight these week and it has to be the smallest space to try and squeeze your legs into. Cabin supervisor was a tall guy and would allow me to move to free seats which had more room…Oh you’ll have to pay for those. In reality its too late Dude,
Barb L
July 23, 2017Love This idea!! Here’s an idea start making a couple rows for taller passengers- geesh!
Amanda
August 12, 2017I under 6 feet but my butt to thigh length is 23 1/2 inches. Incorporate the thickness of seat in pitch it’s cutting it close and if person in front me reclines high chance of a knee in there back. Not so worried on trip to my destination because it’s early morning flight however am worried about ppl wanting to sleep on return flight it is late night flight.
MarkN
October 23, 2016I’m 6’3″(191m) and after reading the stories on this page I now consider myself lucky. Funny how every disability is catered for but putting a tall person in a sardine can is considered okay. I suppose it takes someone tall getting an injury to make them do something.
Rued
November 9, 2016I couldn’t agree more – it’s like being tall is ‘so amazing’ that the problems that come with it is considered less important. I wouldn’t call it a disability, but it something for airlines to consider when choosing the ones to be seated in the exit rows and aisle seats.
Thanks for commenting 🙂
steve
May 3, 2017Airlines are blatantly discriminating against tall people.
Why aren’t we more angry and militant about this?
We tall people are exactly as ‘god’ made us – it isn’t a personal choice to be tall.
Just the same as being
It would never be tolerated if airlines imposed inferior physical conditions or hardships on passengers because they were born white/oriental/black/brown, etc, a male/female, gay/straight, etc, physically disabled/deaf, etc,
In fact, in civilised countries, it would be against the law.
Not only is it a dignity and equality issue, it’s also a safety issue.
So why don’t we do something about it? Do you know if there is any organisation advocating on behalf of us to airlines?
Thomas
March 28, 2018You hit the point! And also it would not be tolerated to price-discriminate people that were …
I (6′ 6″) don’t understand, why 10 times 100$ or so more profit for a long distance flight with a 200 or more seat plane should degrade competitiveness of an airline company.
Carl H.
November 13, 2016I finally took a flight at the young age of 36. I’m 6’4″ and I flew cross country from Philly to Seattle, WA on Frontier. I paid extra to sit in the ‘extended legroom’ seats in the front of the plane. Definitely well worth the money! The friend that I visited out there flies alot and telling me how its plenty of room in the normal seats. She’s 5’6″. She also looked at me crazy when I told her I upgraded to those seats when I bought my tickets. Please, please, please if you can get the extra money together for one of those additional leg room seats if you can at any way afford it or select them. (I know if you book short notice you might not have the choice) It’s well worth it! It pushed the price of my tickets up $150-$200 and I grimaced and complained about it but after being on the play for the first leg (Philly to Denver) it was already worth it. It would have been less I could have gotten a non-stop flight but it couldn’t be helped. From what I have seen the seat upgrade will run you an average of $25-$45 extra per leg of your flight. (Frontier, from my experience, has a package called ‘The Works’ that allows you to pick any seat for no additional cost. It added to the ticket but choosing the seat al a carte would have cost more.)
Rued
November 15, 2016That’s just awesome – a bit sad that we have to pay extra but very cool that the option is there 🙂 I try to book well in advance in order to be able to choose exit rows without any extra cost. Was it exit row seats you paid for ?
Smarter than you?
June 5, 2017wow, I’m 6’4 and fly often. You people are insane for forking that out. Esp on such a little flight like that, 200$, amazing what people spend money on. Me, I suck it up, book early and choose an aisle, travel light, drink a lot of water so I’m constantly using the lab as well as drinking water, politely ask if I can switch if seated poorly, or take budget airlines, hope they don’t fill up and move around. My last trip was NYC FLL DEN, and one leg there was no one on flight, had a row to myself.
Theresa Voigt
December 5, 2016Well, I’ve had it up to ying- yang with the airlines. My husband is 6’8″ tall, most of it in his legs. Flying is tortuous even when we spend extra money for more leg room.
As far as I’m concerned, the airlines, all of them, have forced us to be uncomfortable unless you buy first lass tickets and that, to me, is discriminatory. What to do.
I’m ready to fight the airlines, launch a class action suit on behalf of other very tall people but don’t know where to get started.
There has to be a solution. I’m 5’9″ and avoid taking Air Canada Rouge flights because I find the seat space so uncomfortable. It really is outrageous that the airlines can get away with this.
steve
May 3, 2017Hi Theresa
I would be keen to join with a class action. Where are you based? Canada? I’m in Australia, but by nature this a worldwide problem.
I think at the very least airlines should be obliged to disclose how much leg room you will have, when you purchase a ticket.
In what other industry are you expected to pay for something without knowing what you are buying?
So not only is a human rights and safety issue, it’s a consumer issue.
We’re only asking for a level playing field – not special treatment.
I don’t exactly know what are class action is (don’t think we have them in Australia), but I’m assuming it’s where a group of people get together for a legal case.
Anyone else interested in joining this?
Glenn
May 22, 2017Hi Steve, 6’6″ and just flew today from Hobart to Brisbane with a Melbourne stopover. I was at Hobart airport early to make sure I could get an exit row all the way and I did but when I was boarding my connecting flight I was bumped for a Virgin flight staff member who was no more than 5’4″. I’m in my 50’s and don’t bend as easily anymore so now in a lot of pain from one leg in the aisle constantly tripping other passengers and knocked by the food trolleys. I’m an ex-sportsman (rower) and I’m sure many sporting clubs would support a legal push by tall people to get the leg room needed and why should we pay for it, we are not handicapped. I have three sons 2x 6’5″ and one 6’8″ and we cannot sit together on a plane, we have all played competitive state or national sport and weigh 110kg to 120kg and all have wide shoulders but we are all fit and healthy (me a fair bit less now). I don’t want first class or business class, just a comfort level the same as every other passenger without having to prop up the airlines profit margins for being tall, fit and healthy. I am wanting to take this further as I travel extensively but today was ridiculous with absolutely no sympathy or help when I questioned why?
John Wallace
January 9, 2017I’m 6′ 4″ and 300 Lbs. and I Fly from Ohio to the Philippines every year. I always wear compression socks and try to get up every hour or so to walk. of course there always seems to be turbulence when I have to use the restroom but I usually get to walk or stand throughout the flight. The biggest issue I seem to have is eating, the table folds out right to my stomach and makes it very difficult to hold the meal and eat. bottom line, I always seem to get thru it and still have a good time.
abby
April 23, 2017poor 6’7″ hubby is on a tall man’s flight from hell as i write this…
20 hours in a british airways economy seat…..as i said, the flight from hell….
Tom J.
May 16, 2017I’m 6’6″ 300lbs and always try to get the extra length seat. I’ll pay a little extra but what helps me is I have a wife that’s 5’5″ and about 125lbs. She takes the window and I’ll sit in the middle and raise the armrest. I kind of have a seat and a half.
Kallai
May 27, 2017I can’t really relate to this because I am 4’11, but my boyfriend is 6’5 and deals with this. I find that airlines should have seats that can accommodate to tall people and short people.
Rued
July 23, 2018Yes, I agree. Hope they will soon launch these movable airplane sears that can be adjusted to fit both tall and shorter people.
/Rued
Robert
July 2, 2017Recently, when flying long haul with Asiana I found that, from my economy window seat there was sufficient space between the seat in front and the aircraft wall next to it to extend my left leg right out down the gulley, leaving space to find a more comfortable position with my right one. It also meant the left leg was unaffected when the seat in front was reclined. I should also say that, overall, Asiana was pretty comfortable to travel with, even on the thirteen hour slog back to Heathrow.
Rued
July 2, 2017Sounds like an alternative but good solution 🙂 we gotta be creative in optimizing the way we Tall sit in the limited space we’re given 🙂
alberto
August 8, 2017Well… as a 6,6ft high (200cms) and traveling often in long haul flights I defenitely need to book flight companies that allow me to pre-book seats, even if I have to pay more for that and discarding some better flights options (better stopovers and times).
I just can’t cope with long haul flights with me legs squeezed.
I always dreamed about an internationa tall people flight association that could make some lobbying near the flight companies to get priority on getting emergency exit seats, but until now, there’s nothing available.
Rued
July 23, 2018No, you’re right, there’s no association working on this specifically, but some companies are working on accessibility for all – including very tall people. So maybe we’ll see some change in the near future – hopefully.
/Rued
Mary
September 11, 2017I have much sympathy for tall people flying on airplanes. My best friend’s (35 year old) son is 6’7″ so I always think of him when I see a tall person flying on a plane.
Just a little advice from the short person that you’re flying next to:
Ask permission to put your leg in their “area” before you do so. Be polite. (Humor works great with me.)
I just flew cross country. I gave up my aisle seat to the tall guy. (I get an aisle seat because of a ridiculously small bladder.) He seemed to assume that it was my duty to switch with him. (Don’t do that.) Then he proceeded to manspread. He actually had his right foot/leg in the area where my feet and backpack were. And he promptly fell asleep for the duration of the flight. (So I gave up my seat and my freedom to pee and got not a word in return.)
Yes, airplanes suck, but don’t take it out on me!
Rued
July 23, 2018Yes, that’s not the way to do it. It’s not your fault that we are tall, but super nice of you to be open towards giving up a bit of your extra space for a tall person. Thanks!
/Rued
Thijs
September 30, 2017Hi, at 6.6 ft ( 2,0 m) I’ve had my share of nightmare flights. What I really cannot stand is that it’s hard to find and get any sympathy for my problem. Whenever I see tiny people sitting in exit row seats I feel the urge to walk up to them and ask them directly if they want to switch. Thinking this will lead to an all out legroom war, I usually say nothing. Another thing is people reclining their seats on short flights. Hello, wake up, can’t you see you’re using up my last couple of cm.s ? Usually I’ll push back or press my knees into their seat to make them understand that reclining is not a good idea. And always that ‘We hope you had a good flight’ message at the end.
Rued
July 23, 2018Thanks for sharing. I think the best option is to communicate; just ask the exit row people if they are up for the switch. Worst case is getting a no. I really recommend making the move, because it will make your trip so much better – maybe even a ‘good flight’.
/Rued
Eric
November 1, 2017Airlines are being forced to accommodate obese people even though in many cases their obesity is the result of overeating (a personal choice). The also accommodate people with all sorts of disabilities. So I suggest tall people try having their Dr fill out the same form used by disabled and obese people and requesting special seating. If enough of us started doing this, perhaps airlines would start to wake up to the fact that you can not put a 3 foot leg into a 2 foot space.
Rued
July 23, 2018Such a good point – I think it’s possible to get your doctor to state that it’s harmful to your body to sit totally crammed up in a flight seat for 10+ hours. I will give it a shot and return with the result.
/Rued
Tanguy Adriaenssen
February 8, 2018I am 40, 6’7” with 38” inseam. I flew cattle class with BA yesterday and it’s sucked. Last month it was with easyJet, before that with Delta… bottom line is airlines keep on pushing more seats into their planes and us tall guys just don’t fit.
Now, the way I see it, we didn’t choose to be tall, it just happened. So is it fair to be stuck in a shitty seat fir hours because we were born tall?
Disabled people gave special parking spots, ramps etc… why wouldn’t we demand to have special seats on planes (emergency or front row) preference? Seems fair…
If enough of us get together and make a bit of noise about this, maybe we can get a few more inches of legroom on that next flight
Just a thought…
Kevin
July 11, 2018At 6’6″ and 245 lbs, I’m not as. large as some. But for many years, I travelled back and forth to the US on business every month. The company policy was that everyone travels economy, but I was able to persuade my doctor (also a tall man) to provide me with a letter stating that if I had to sit in a seat with restricted legroom for more than three hours, I would be prone to DVT. Being terrified of being sued, they relented, and I could get an ‘economy plus’ ticket, which would often result in an upgrade to Business, particularly once I’d accumulated some air-miles.
Rued
July 23, 2018Sounds awesome with the upgrade; maybe I should pay the doctor a visit as well and see if I can get something similar 🙂
/Rued