Traveling With Obesity: Tips About Airline Seating, Hotel Accommodations, and Comfort

Thinking through these details early can help you avoid discomfort and feel more prepared for the journey.

Flight Preparation and Comfort

Select Your Seat

Before buying an airline ticket, check whether the fare allows you to choose your seat. When possible, select your seat as soon as you book your ticket because aisle, window, and extra-legroom seats may become limited as the flight fills, says Michael J. Allen, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician at Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital in Texas.

Think about the seating arrangement that would make the flight most comfortable for you, such as:

• Aisle Seat “If you anticipate getting up periodically to stretch your legs, which you should as a general rule, or if you use the restroom frequently, then an aisle seat is usually the better option,” says Dr. Allen. Some aisle-side armrests can be raised, which can make it easier to enter the row and get settled, while others remain fixed.

  [3]

   Ask the airline which rows have movable aisle armrests if this feature would help you. Bear in mind that the crew may ask you to return a movable armrest to the down position before takeoff and landing.

  [4]

• Window Seat These seats may work better if you prefer not to have other passengers crossing in front of you, though getting up can be more difficult, Allen says.
• Extra-Legroom Seat The additional space can make it easier to change positions, especially during longer flights. Emergency exit row seats often provide extra legroom, but you must meet the airline’s safety requirements to sit there.

  [5]

   Extra legroom also doesn’t always mean the seat itself will be wider.
• Bulkhead Seat These seats are in the first row behind a wall or divider and usually offer more open space in front of you.

  [6]

   You also won’t have another passenger reclining into your space. But some have thicker, fixed armrests that store the tray table, which can leave less room to sit comfortably. Check the layout and seat details for the aircraft before paying extra for bulkhead seating.

  [4]

Ask for a Seat-Belt Extender

“I recommend asking [for a seat-belt extender] at the gate kiosk either shortly before or while boarding rather than waiting until everyone is seated,” says Allen. “It’s simple, discreet, and allows you to get settled well before takeoff.”

If you’re considering an emergency exit‑row seat for extra legroom, keep in mind that airlines generally don’t allow passengers who use a seat-belt extender to sit in these rows, Dr. Garcia-Webb says. Check the airline’s policy before choosing one of these seats.

Manage Pre-Flight Anxiety

• Arrange assistance ahead of time. If walking through a large airport is difficult, Garcia-Webb recommends requesting wheelchair assistance from the airline. You can arrange it before your trip or ask at the airline’s check-in desk when you arrive.

  [12]

• Plan for medications and medical devices. Pack medications in your carry-on so you can access them throughout the trip. Allen also recommends checking the travel and screening requirements for any medical supplies you use, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, mobility devices, and refrigerated medications before leaving home. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows medically necessary liquids and cooling supplies in reasonable quantities, but you should tell the officer about them before screening because these items may need to be inspected separately.

  [13]

• Consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck. While it’s available at an extra cost, TSA PreCheck — a program that lets you use faster security lines — may be helpful, especially if you travel regularly.

  [14]

   You can usually leave your shoes, belt, and light jacket on and keep your laptop and small liquids inside your bag, reducing how much you need to unpack and repack at the checkpoint.

  [15]

   If TSA PreCheck isn’t an option, place items you may need to remove at security near the top of your carry-on and wear supportive slip-on shoes that are easy to take off and put back on.
• Give yourself extra time. Allen stresses arriving at the airport early enough so that you don’t have to rush. Allow time for check-in, security, restroom stops, waiting for mobility assistance, and getting to your gate.
• Prepare before boarding. Garcia-Webb recommends using the facilities in the airport shortly before boarding because airplane restrooms can feel extremely small. If you need extra time or assistance because of mobility limitations, ask the gate agent to preboard and get settled before general boarding begins, she says.

Keep Moving During the Flight

Also, stay well hydrated. While hydration alone won’t prevent stiffness, Hribick notes that it can help keep your tissues healthy and can make long travel days feel a little easier.

Hotel Accommodations

Call the Hotel Before Booking

• Does the bathroom have a walk-in shower or only a bathtub?
• Are grab bars installed, and is a shower chair available?
• What size is the bed, and how high is it from the floor?
• Is there enough space to move comfortably around the bed and bathroom?
• Does the room have a sturdy chair, preferably without narrow arms?
• Is there a refrigerator for medications and an outlet near the bed?
• Are plus-size towels, bath sheets, or robes available?

Consider the Entire Property

Garcia-Webb recommends asking for a ground-floor room or one close to the elevator when available. Based on your needs, you may also want to ask:

• How far is the room from the lobby, parking area, and elevator?
• Are there stairs or steep inclines that cannot be avoided?
• How far are the restaurant, pool, and other amenities?
• Are luggage carts available?
• Does the hotel offer a shuttle or other transportation around the property?

If you want to swim, ask whether the pool has steps, a gradual entry, or an accessible lift, says Allen. If you plan to use the fitness center, check if the equipment accommodates different body sizes and mobility levels, he adds.

On-the-Go Well-Being

Part of the joy of travel is filling your itinerary with the sights and experiences you’ve been looking forward to. Those adventures can also ask a lot of your body. A bit of preparation before you leave home can help you keep up with your activities.

Prepare Your Body Before the Trip

If your trip is going to involve more walking than you’re used to, try to gradually increase your activity level in the weeks leading up to it, recommends Hribick. Think of it as training for the activities you’ll be doing to give your muscles and joints time to adjust.

You may start with a walking time or distance that feels doable, and add a little more as your body adapts. “The better prepared your body is, the more enjoyable your travel will likely be,” Hribick says.

Choose Shoes and Mobility Aids That Reduce Strain

He also recommends bringing any cushioned insoles or custom orthotics you normally wear.

Pack Items That Help Improve Comfort

Think about items that may help you feel more comfortable, whether that’s during a long flight, while managing luggage, preventing chafing, or keeping medications at hand.

Hribick and Allen suggest packing:

• A supportive neck pillow for long flights or car rides
• A small lumbar roll or rolled-up towel to place behind your lower back while sitting
• Luggage with smooth-rolling wheels to avoid lifting or dragging bags any more than you have to
• Anti-chafing balm or powder, anti-chafing shorts, or thigh bands for long walking days
• A refillable water bottle and protein-rich snacks to avoid relying entirely on airport or roadside options
• Enough medication to cover your trip and any unexpected travel delays
• Compression socks, if recommended by a healthcare provider

Pace Your Activities