Travel Tips from Plus‑Size Adventurers: How to Travel Comfortably and Confidently at Any Size

You belong in every destination and on every trail—exactly as you are. This guide pulls together real‑world strategies plus current airline and gear facts to make your next trip more comfortable, more joyful, and way less stressful.

Quick wins (TL;DR)

• Choose seats that give you control. Aisles usually offer easier movement. Bulkhead seats can look spacious but often have fixed armrests that narrow the seat—check the seat map details before you pick.
• Use airline‑provided seatbelt extenders. Personal extenders sold online aren’t “FAA‑approved,” and many carriers prohibit them. Ask a flight attendant if you need one.
• Know your airline’s “extra seat” (customer‑of‑size) rules. Policies differ across airlines—and they’re changing. If you might need more than one seat, booking it in advance protects your comfort. Details below.
• Pack gear designed for bigger bodies. Gregory’s Plus‑Size packs and Osprey’s Extended Fit line (hipbelts up to ~70") distribute weight comfortably and actually fit.
• Find your people. Communities like Chubby Diaries and Fat Girls Traveling share destination tips, airline scripts, and a lot of encouragement.

Plus‑Size Travel Tips from U30X Travelers

1) Confidence is a travel skill. -Laura B.

“Plus-size women can be self‑conscious about traveling, and a big part of the experience is building confidence. Everyone deserves to travel. Size shouldn’t limit anyone. I spoke with a U30X traveler who almost skipped a trip because she felt she’d be the biggest one. She hesitated to take photos. After we chatted about how her weight wasn’t something I even noticed, she felt more comfortable and was excited to take and post photos. Don’t let your body hold you back.”

2) Try the thing you think you can’t. -Lexie E.

“Mindset matters. In Greece, I psyched myself out about the Santorini hike, but I did it just fine, and the feeling of accomplishing it was incredible. Same with climbing the 287 steps up St. Vitus, scary at first, totally worth it once I was up there. You don’t know what you can do until you try.”

Flying comfort tip: “I’m tall, so I pay extra for bulkhead or exit rows on long hauls; it’s worth it for me.”
Gear shout‑out: “My Osprey backpack bought it for my first U30X trip in 2018, and it still goes everywhere with me.”

Editor’s note: Bulkheads offer legroom but sometimes have fixed armrests, which can reduce seat width. If hip space matters more than legroom, compare bulkhead vs. non‑bulkhead rows on your specific aircraft.

3) Pack for the climate and your comfort, especially in Asia. -Bree A.

“Check the weather and pack accordingly. If it’ll be cold, bring a warm enough coat, you may not have time (or be able) to find extended sizes easily in some parts of Asia. When you can, splurge for first‑class seats on trains or small domestic flights. I’m a size 16/18, and standard train seats or small‑plane economy can be snug.

Always keep at least 3 days of clothes in your carry‑on if you’re checking a bag. If your luggage goes missing, plus‑size clothing can be hard to find in stores in places like China and Korea. This saved me.”

1) Flight booking: seats, policies & stress‑reducers

Pick seats that work for your body.

• Aisle seats usually allow easier positioning and stand‑ups.
• Bulkhead seats often have fixed armrests (tray tables live there), which can shrink usable width. They sometimes feel tighter even if legroom looks good. Double‑check the aircraft’s seat map before selecting.

Understand seat width and belt lengths (examples):

• On Alaska Airlines, economy seats are ~17" armrest‑to‑armrest; belts are ~46" and their extenders add ~25". Only airline‑provided extenders are allowed.
• United shows exact seat widths by aircraft on its seat‑map pages (e.g., 737‑800 economy width ~16.6"–17.8"). Useful when deciding between rows.

Bring or request a seatbelt extender?

• The FAA advised airlines not to permit passenger‑owned extenders marketed as “FAA‑approved.” Ask your flight attendant for the airline extender instead. (Many add ~25".)

Customer‑of‑Size / Extra‑seat policies (U.S.)—what to know
Rules vary and are evolving. Always confirm on the airline’s site for your exact flight.

• Southwest (moving to assigned seating for flights on/after Jan 27, 2026): customers who encroach on a neighboring seat are told to proactively purchase the needed number of seats in advance; certain refunds are available post‑travel if conditions are met.
  
• United: you may need an extra seat if you can’t buckle even with an extender or if armrests can’t remain down.
  
• Delta: you can purchase an extra seat for comfort; when bought together, it’s sold at the same fare on that itinerary (Delta may re‑seat or rebook if space is needed and no extra seat was purchased).
  
• American: if you need more than one seat to travel comfortably and safely, AA asks you to call Reservations to book adjacent seats; only AA‑provided seatbelt extenders may be used.
  

Flying within Canada? “One Person, One Fare.”
If you’re a passenger with a disability‑related need for additional adjacent seating, Canadian carriers must accommodate you on domestic flights under the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR). (This includes cases where someone is “functionally disabled by obesity.” Documentation and eligibility rules apply.)

Pro tip: Save or screenshot key policy pages to your phone. If gate agents are unfamiliar, you’ll have the policy in writing.

2) Airport & onboard: scripts that help

• Preboarding (U.S.): If you have a disability and need extra time or assistance to board or be seated, airlines must offer preboarding when you self‑identify at the gate. Ask: “Hi, I need a preboard to have extra time to get situated.”
• Seat belt extender: Ask quietly after boarding: “Hi there—could I please have a seatbelt extender?” (They’ll provide the airline‑approved device.)
• If you feel squeezed: Try: “Could you check if there’s a free adjacent seat or a different seat with a movable armrest?” (Many seat maps show which aisle armrests move.)

3) Activities & tours: making fun accessible

Harnesses, kayaks, ATVs, and wetsuits are not one‑size‑fits‑all. Two quick steps reduce awkward moments:

-Email before you book. Ask for maximum waist/hip measurements, wetsuit sizes, and whether they have longer straps or alternate harnesses.
Copy/paste:

“Hi! I’m excited to join this activity. I wear US size __ / waist __". Do your harnesses/wetsuits fit these measurements? If not, is there an alternate fit or private slot available?”‍

‍-Bring or rent the right wetsuit. Brands like Henderson list women’s sizes up to 24 and publish clear size charts; many dive shops will pre‑reserve by your measurements.

4) Pack smarter: gear that actually fits

• Backpacks:
  
  
  • Gregory Plus‑Size packs were designed specifically for larger bodies (longer hipbelts/straps, re‑positioned pockets).
    
  • Osprey Extended Fit (EF) offers an extended hipbelt up to ~70 inches on core models (Aether/Ariel, etc.). If you’ve only known “standard” hipbelts, EF can be a game‑changer for load transfer.
    
  • If you’re new to fitting packs, REI’s how‑to explains torso length, hipbelt sizing, and what to look for.
    
• Clothing & layers: REI’s plus‑size buying guide covers stretch fabrics, layering, and brands offering extended sizing—handy for dialing comfort on long travel days.

5) Community = confidence

• Chubby Diaries (by Jeff Jenkins) shares travel tips, representation, and the energy to go now—not “after.” (Jeff also hosts Never Say Never on Nat Geo.)

Check out our podcast interview with Jeff about traveling as a plus sized travel influencer! 

• Fat Girls Traveling offers destination ideas, packing help, safe‑space discussions, and group trips. If you want a community cheering you on, start here.

Industry note: Some size‑inclusive outdoor brands have launched or closed in recent years (e.g., Alpine Parrot shuttered in Jan 2025), so product availability shifts. If something’s out of stock, check specialty retailers or buy‑sell groups.

6) Mindset shifts that make trips better

• You don’t have to shrink your joy. Pick excursions you want—not just ones you think you “fit.”
• Ask early, ask often. A 2‑line email can spare a 2‑hour headache.
• Comfort is not a luxury. Extra seat, aisle seat, EF backpack: these are tools, not indulgences.

Fact box: Key rules worth bookmarking

• FAA on personal seatbelt extenders: Not permitted; only airline‑provided devices should be used.
• Southwest assigned seating begins Jan 27, 2026; COS refunds/steps differ on/after that date—read the new pages when booking.
• United “extra seating” triggers: can’t buckle with an extender or keep armrests down.
• American: book adjacent seats by phone; airline extender only.
• Delta: extra seat available at same fare when purchased together.‍
• Canada’s One‑Person‑One‑Fare (domestic): extra adjacent seat for disability‑related needs, including when someone is functionally disabled by obesity.

Practical packing list (mix and match)

• Comfort kit: anti‑chafe balm, light scarf (as an armrest buffer), compact cooling towel.
• Seat strategy kit: printed seat map, policy screenshots, pen for forms.
• Activity kit: quick‑dry leggings/swimsuit, your measurements in notes app (bust/waist/hip/inseam), thin rashguard for easier wetsuit entry.
• Backpack fit kit: soft tape measure (hip/torso), if you’ll shop in‑destination.

If you need to advocate (scripts)

• At booking: “I’d like two adjacent economy seats under the [extra/comfort] policy. Can you confirm the refund rules for my fare?”
• At the gate: “Hi! If there’s a spare seat, can you keep the adjacent seat open for comfort? If not, can we move me to a spot with a movable aisle armrest?”‍
• With a tour operator: “My waist is __", chest __". Do your harnesses/wetsuits fit these? If not, do you have alternatives or a private slot?”

If this guide gave you more confidence, imagine what a week on the road with an encouraging group can do. Travel with Under30Experiences and make your next adventure the comfortable, joyful one you deserve.