Airline seat belt extenders – what you need to know

airline-seat-belt-extensionsMost airlines have policies relating to customers of size who are unable to lower the armrests of their seat, thereby infringing into the seat next to them. Most of these passengers are, unfortunately, forced to buy an extra seat. But what if you can lower the arm rests, meaning you don’t require the extra seat, but the seat belt doesn’t fit? Avoid this rather embarrassing scenario by purchasing ahead of time your own airline seat belt extender! An airplane seat belt extender is simply an extra piece of belt that clicks into the existing seat belt system, thereby allowing larger passengers to travel in comfort and safety.

Airline seat belt extenders come in a few different varieties which are made to match up with the seat belt systems of various airlines. The maximum length of an airline seat belt is 46 inches, so measure ahead of time to see if this length will accommodate you. If not, you may need to purchase an airplane extender, which usually provide an extra 26 inches or so. When planning to use an airline seat belt extender, contact the airline ahead of time to be sure they don’t place any restrictions on the use of seat belt extenders. Most airlines do not allow seat belt extenders to be used in the exit rows.

Because airlines are governed by the FAA, it is vital that you purchase an airline seat belt extender that is FAA approved. Some airlines have seat belt extensions available upon request, but not all passengers are comfortable with asking for this service. In this case, it may be wise to bring your own seat belt extension that can be used discreetly on the plane. Airline seat belt extenders play a key role in allowing customers of size to continue their air travel without needing to worry about the embarrassment of not having an appropriately fitting seat belt or of travelling in an unsafe manner.

Incoming search terms:

  • Airline Seat Belt Extensions
  • will i need a seat belt extender