Down that narrow aisle is the bane of my existence as a fat airline passenger.

THE AIRPLANE TOILET! For a long time, I wouldn’t fly at all because I wasn’t sure I’d fit. Somehow hurtling through the air at 536mph with a dangerously full bladder seemed the wrong moment to find out.

But then my best friend and I fell in love. After she’d just moved away to LONDON! I was gonna have to fly and I was gonna have to pee. There was no way around it. So, I tried. 

I fit but only just. I couldn’t get my legs apart once I’d peed. I had to do some acrobatics to engage in proper hygiene.

I ultimately made it to London with my dignity intact — & have since moved there permanently. I fly back to Portland, Oregon every year & I’m grateful each time that I fit well enough to make that possible. Not everyone has that privilege. I’m also keenly aware that I’m only one injury away from becoming too inflexible to do the required acrobatics — or one capitalist space-saving decision away from no longer fitting.

Tips & Tools for Using Airplane Toilets While Fat:

The “Bottom Buddy” is a handy tool to extend your reach in tight situations & It’s available on Amazon.

There are also “Heavy Duty” liners in case of leakage when you’re trying to hold on for landing on shorter flights.

IMPORTANT NOTE!

Whatever you choose to do about using the toilet while fat – please remember to stay hydrated! Dehydration is a primary risk factor for DVT. STAY SAFE! And remember: You deserve to fly just like everyone else!