Updated: Apr 30
As I travel — and squeeze myself into new planes, new seats, and new levels of legroom-related frustration — I'll be updating this post with my honest thoughts. Not just for the drama, but because tall people deserve intel on how to fly without cramps and aches.
Plane Specific Hacks and Intel
First Plane Seat I recommend is Boeing 767-400, Seat 41E. (Delta)
- Knee room: It's tight but not painful. My knees touched the back of the seat in front of me… but not in an "I need to file a complaint" way.
- Overall comfort: 7.5/10. I'd book again if needed.
simplyaboveaverage Tips & Tricks
- Never, and I mean never, put your backpack under the seat. That's premium legroom, sweet pea, and we cannot afford to lose it!! If anyone has a problem, slowly stand up from your seat, for dramatic effect, and say, "sorry I'm so tall my bag just doesn't fit with my legs." I promise the slow climb up will do the trick.
- If your flight is over 3 hours, stretch, I repeat, stretch your legs to make sure the blood is flowing. No simplyaboveaverage users are getting blood clots on my watch.
- Drink water — we prescribe 2-4 cups.
- When in doubt, or stressed, watch a video of fish swimming hahaha. I promise it's soothing.
- Always ask for the upgrade at the desk. If you went to a school with strong athletics, tbh wearing the merch can improve your flying experience.
- AVOID the bulkhead — I've always found it incredibly uncomfortable on long flights. I think it's important to have room to stretch your legs to the side, which you cannot do in these seats.
- Before your flights, double-check this blog post and/or SeatGuru. This site offers detailed layouts of aircrafts, and you can learn the highlights and lowlights of your seat.
- Proactively ask the person sitting in front of you if they can refrain from reclining the seat. I use the word refrain intentionally because most humans dislike being told not to; while asking, be sure to mention your unique situation of being 6"+ —most people are quite kind.
Good to Know Basic Information
Airlines vary widely in seat sizing and legroom. For instance, airlines like JetBlue and Delta offer seats with up to 32 inches of room in economy class, providing a bit more space to stretch out. In contrast, some budget airlines may offer as little as 28 inches — so be sure to check SeatGuru!
We all know this but the exit row is wonderful (~38 inches of room).
What's the value of Premium Economy? About 6-8 inches more legroom.
Traveling with Ease
This is for every long-limbed traveler who's silently suffered through 6+ hours of knee-to-tray-table warfare. You're not alone, and this blog is our safe zone.
