Family traveling to UK and then Italywith Overweight member of family
Dec 13th, 2015, 03:11 PM
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Family traveling to UK and then Italywith Overweight member of family
Myself, Daughter, my son in law, 2 young girls traveling to UK and then to Italy for a wedding. We are good with accommodations. We have relatives in UK and we are booked into the venue. My question is My son-in law is morbidly obese What problems will he be faced with by the Airlines and on the ground in these 2 countries.? thank you for your help
Dec 13th, 2015, 04:11 PM
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Well without measurements we can't help but he might not fit in an economy seat - even with a seat belt extender. (Morbidly obese can be 250 pounds or it can be 400 pounds or more.)
Has he flown recently? He should check the seat size - and he might need to buy a business class seat instead of coach. If you will be flying from UK to Italy do check the specific seat size on the airline you will use - some of the budget airlines have seats that are minute for many people. In any case he should look into the details and have a fix before booking the trip.
As for on the ground, his biggest problem I would think is doing the necessary walkking to see the sights. If he is not comfortable walking fairly long distances he might need to take one of those portable folding seats with him so he can rest at intervals since there is not always a handy bench. For some museums which might not allow this sort of stick seat he might need to arrange a wheelchair in advance.
Finally do make sure that whatever lodgings you use has an elevator so he doesn't have to cope with several flights of stairs.
Has he flown recently? He should check the seat size - and he might need to buy a business class seat instead of coach. If you will be flying from UK to Italy do check the specific seat size on the airline you will use - some of the budget airlines have seats that are minute for many people. In any case he should look into the details and have a fix before booking the trip.
As for on the ground, his biggest problem I would think is doing the necessary walkking to see the sights. If he is not comfortable walking fairly long distances he might need to take one of those portable folding seats with him so he can rest at intervals since there is not always a handy bench. For some museums which might not allow this sort of stick seat he might need to arrange a wheelchair in advance.
Finally do make sure that whatever lodgings you use has an elevator so he doesn't have to cope with several flights of stairs.
Dec 13th, 2015, 06:28 PM
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He may be very, very uncomfortable in an economy seat. You don't say when the flight is but this needs to be addressed now, not at the airport. At a minimum he needs to book an aisle seat. If one of the young girls is in the middle seat, that would help.
If he is very large he really should book a premium economy seat with an airline that provides wider seats in premium economy, not all do. If the flight is full, there is nothing the airline will be able to do for him at the airport.
Are you flying a budget airline from the UK to Italy? We always fly Easyjet between the UK and France. Their seats don't recline but are fairly comfortable. For a small fee, I think around £5 per seat, you can pre-select your seats. This will be a comparatively short flight but do plan ahead.
Is he okay with walking long distances in airports? Again, if not, you can plan ahead and request help. Comfortable clothes and shoes are a must.
I'm really painting a worst case scenario, if he flies in the States he'll know the drill. The main difference is he's going to be in a small seat for a very long time.
If he is very large he really should book a premium economy seat with an airline that provides wider seats in premium economy, not all do. If the flight is full, there is nothing the airline will be able to do for him at the airport.
Are you flying a budget airline from the UK to Italy? We always fly Easyjet between the UK and France. Their seats don't recline but are fairly comfortable. For a small fee, I think around £5 per seat, you can pre-select your seats. This will be a comparatively short flight but do plan ahead.
Is he okay with walking long distances in airports? Again, if not, you can plan ahead and request help. Comfortable clothes and shoes are a must.
I'm really painting a worst case scenario, if he flies in the States he'll know the drill. The main difference is he's going to be in a small seat for a very long time.
Dec 13th, 2015, 06:43 PM
#5
You have only mentioned countries and not specific locations. Where in the UK? It can make a HUGE difference. In London he can take cabs if he can't manage the stairs in the tube or walking to bus stops. But if the wedding is in the countryside or somewhere -- maybe not so easy.
And where in Italy? Venice? Really difficult getting around because of the boats and bridges and uneven pavement/surfaces. Rome - again he can take cabs.
How large is he? If he is morbidly obese that would seem in the 300lb+ range. There are 250-300 lb people who manage OK in coach. But others - depending on the actual body type/shape don't fit easily in an economy+ seat or even a business seat on some planes..
Does he travel in the States? Does he fly? Can he walk any distances -- many airports have you walking half a mile or more between getting off the plane/schlepping to immigration, then trekking to baggage, and then through customs.
If mobility is an issue -- you may need to order wheelchairs in the airports. Many obese people also have sleep apnea - is that an issue? if so, he'll have to carry his cpap machine.
And where in Italy? Venice? Really difficult getting around because of the boats and bridges and uneven pavement/surfaces. Rome - again he can take cabs.
How large is he? If he is morbidly obese that would seem in the 300lb+ range. There are 250-300 lb people who manage OK in coach. But others - depending on the actual body type/shape don't fit easily in an economy+ seat or even a business seat on some planes..
Does he travel in the States? Does he fly? Can he walk any distances -- many airports have you walking half a mile or more between getting off the plane/schlepping to immigration, then trekking to baggage, and then through customs.
If mobility is an issue -- you may need to order wheelchairs in the airports. Many obese people also have sleep apnea - is that an issue? if so, he'll have to carry his cpap machine.
Dec 13th, 2015, 07:06 PM
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It may seem bad to mention this, but better to know a possible issue upfront. Airline space seems more and more crowded to me, and people scrunched together can be cranky and tired. If he really is obese, it is important that he has enough individual space so as not to infringe on passengers in adjoining seats.
Another really horrible thing on airplanes are the toilets. I am fairly small, and I can hardly get in and turn around. I see some people backing in. I don't see how an obese person can even get in. Think how to best deal with that.
Another really horrible thing on airplanes are the toilets. I am fairly small, and I can hardly get in and turn around. I see some people backing in. I don't see how an obese person can even get in. Think how to best deal with that.
Dec 14th, 2015, 12:10 AM
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I find most Italians to be frank but accommodating with large people. For example, they have no problem as they seat you at a restaurant table exchanging a less sturdy chair for a more substantial one; they don't make a fuss over it but they also don't try to be ultra discrete either. Making a reservation and letting them know you have a large person in your party or actually stopping in beforehand to request a specific table location works if possible.
Most Italian hotels have firmer beds with good slats that can support a person of say, 300 pounds or so. Ask for a shower, not a bath tub but be aware in the older hotels, it may be too small for him (the 2 sliding doors that meet at the corner style showers are impossible to get into. Get the better (more expensive usually)room. Elevator and A/C especially from May-Sept. as well as central location to sights will help the person conserve energy for essential activities. No elevator, ask for a lower floor or handicapped room. (while some might not consider obesity an handicap, it is for some truly handicapping).
If you vet your hotel & restaurants well on-line it really helps avoid issues...public toilets are a problem you will just have to deal with as the situation arises since the size of an establishment isn't necessarily indicative of the size/location of its restroom.
Maybe there is a travel group online for XL people???
Most Italian hotels have firmer beds with good slats that can support a person of say, 300 pounds or so. Ask for a shower, not a bath tub but be aware in the older hotels, it may be too small for him (the 2 sliding doors that meet at the corner style showers are impossible to get into. Get the better (more expensive usually)room. Elevator and A/C especially from May-Sept. as well as central location to sights will help the person conserve energy for essential activities. No elevator, ask for a lower floor or handicapped room. (while some might not consider obesity an handicap, it is for some truly handicapping).
If you vet your hotel & restaurants well on-line it really helps avoid issues...public toilets are a problem you will just have to deal with as the situation arises since the size of an establishment isn't necessarily indicative of the size/location of its restroom.
Maybe there is a travel group online for XL people???
Dec 14th, 2015, 12:47 AM
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Regarding airline seats, if you do require more than one seat, economy will be the way to go because of the moveable arm rests. Business class and PE seats have fixed arm rests and are not often that wide.
You need to call the airline and ask about booking two economy seats together. Some airlines charge double fare and others do not so it's a good idea to shop around.
Then there are the mobility questions that will need to be addressed, both on the ground and on the aircraft. On low cost carriers (UK to Italy), they tend to use the most furthest gate IME and sometimes bus people out to the aircraft and you need to be able to walk up the steps, so bear that in mind too.
You need to call the airline and ask about booking two economy seats together. Some airlines charge double fare and others do not so it's a good idea to shop around.
Then there are the mobility questions that will need to be addressed, both on the ground and on the aircraft. On low cost carriers (UK to Italy), they tend to use the most furthest gate IME and sometimes bus people out to the aircraft and you need to be able to walk up the steps, so bear that in mind too.
Dec 14th, 2015, 03:00 AM
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As others have said it depends on how obese he is. I am technically morbidly obese, but I fit into an airline seat, even in economy, without overflowing, and can get around just fine.
I know a man who weighs about 200Kgs. He usually books himself two seats and has a seat belt extender booked too. He likes to fly KLM, I believe they change him a seat and a half or something. He isn't especially tall, about 1m 70cm, so legroom isn't so much of an issue for him. He can walk just fine though and gets out and about quite a lot. He also manages to use airplane loos since I don't think he flies to California with his legs crossed all the way.
I know a man who weighs about 200Kgs. He usually books himself two seats and has a seat belt extender booked too. He likes to fly KLM, I believe they change him a seat and a half or something. He isn't especially tall, about 1m 70cm, so legroom isn't so much of an issue for him. He can walk just fine though and gets out and about quite a lot. He also manages to use airplane loos since I don't think he flies to California with his legs crossed all the way.
Dec 14th, 2015, 03:24 AM
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If you are thinking of traveling by train in Italy, many seats have fixed tables in front of them, which a person who is more than technically morbidly obese would not be able to fit into. Fortunately you can book specific seats ahead of time, so you will need to avoid those seats.
If you are thinking of traveling by auto, you should get, at a minimum, a car with 4 doors.
I have a friend who is more than technically morbidly obese, and while he is happy to visit us in Italy (never asked how he deals with airplanes), his appetite for sightseeing is very much limited by the condition of his knees and ankles, which quickly become pained from dealing with stairs, hills and uneven walking surfaces -- almost impossible to avoid in Italy except in a few places. He is also limited by having very little tolerance for being active in the hot afternoons, which can occur most of the year in Italy, if it is a sunny day.
Many popular wedding destinations in Italy are in locations where it is necessary to ascend and descend stairs, steep hills or walk on unpaved surfaces in the middle of the afternoon. If you don't have a clear picture of the wedding venue, you might want to ask before arriving.
If you are thinking of traveling by auto, you should get, at a minimum, a car with 4 doors.
I have a friend who is more than technically morbidly obese, and while he is happy to visit us in Italy (never asked how he deals with airplanes), his appetite for sightseeing is very much limited by the condition of his knees and ankles, which quickly become pained from dealing with stairs, hills and uneven walking surfaces -- almost impossible to avoid in Italy except in a few places. He is also limited by having very little tolerance for being active in the hot afternoons, which can occur most of the year in Italy, if it is a sunny day.
Many popular wedding destinations in Italy are in locations where it is necessary to ascend and descend stairs, steep hills or walk on unpaved surfaces in the middle of the afternoon. If you don't have a clear picture of the wedding venue, you might want to ask before arriving.
Dec 14th, 2015, 10:51 AM
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With everyone talking about 220 to 450 or thereabouts I presume the weight is in pounds. Do I also presume that everyone presumes that the individual is American?
Italy is a very welcoming country as many on this forum will attest.
Share a little more info and I am sure you will receive good advice.
Italy is a very welcoming country as many on this forum will attest.
Share a little more info and I am sure you will receive good advice.
Dec 21st, 2015, 06:47 AM
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450lbs? It would be wise to either put him in business class, buy two seats for him, fly charter, or put him on the QE II.
How is his mobility? If he relies on those scooter things, he is going to struggle.
How is his mobility? If he relies on those scooter things, he is going to struggle.
Dec 21st, 2015, 06:50 AM
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Thank you everyone for your input My SIL is over 400 lbs This is their first time travelling as a family and I knew there were issues we need to address before we book tickets. I did not know exactly where to start. Your information has been very helpful
Dec 21st, 2015, 07:11 AM
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Forgot to mention we will be traveling from USA SIL id 6ft 2ins over 400 lbs and does have difficulty walking long distances walking up and down stairs is a slow process and uses a CPAP machine
Venue is in the countryside outside of Rome
Venue is in the countryside outside of Rome
Dec 21st, 2015, 07:17 AM
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1. The CPAP is not dual voltage, your SIL is going to need a voltage converter.
2. Even if his weight was appropriate for his height, 6' 2" is going to be painful in economy for him and his seatmate(s). Use seatguru.com to check the seating in whatever your flights are.
3. I have no advice regarding steps and walking long distances except he will probably encounter both. Escalators and elevators are not normally standard conveniences. Italy does have Uber.
2. Even if his weight was appropriate for his height, 6' 2" is going to be painful in economy for him and his seatmate(s). Use seatguru.com to check the seating in whatever your flights are.
3. I have no advice regarding steps and walking long distances except he will probably encounter both. Escalators and elevators are not normally standard conveniences. Italy does have Uber.
