I purchased two seats for myself on a business aircraft because I’m overweight—not for luxury, but for tranquility. I was dubbed a “fat jerk” by an entitled couple who took the extra seat. They believed they could embarrass me and escape punishment. I made sure they felt bad about every arrogant remark they made at 35,000 feet.
My name is Carly, and I’ve spent the last thirty-two years learning how to live in a body that is strongly viewed by society. I’m overweight. Not the type of fat person who is given adorable nicknames in romance books. I’m the type of big person who feels free to make remarks about the things in my grocery basket. The kind where, despite the fact that it is physically impossible, I have perfected the art of shrinking myself in public.
Which is why I always buy two airplane seats when I travel alone.
Sitting on the bed is a woman | Source: Freepik
When we fly together, my partner Matt never makes me feel like I need two seats. He will raise the armrest, allow me to rest against him, and in some way, all of my worries about taking up room will go.
But traveling alone to Westlake for this marketing conference? A different tale.
I got on Flight 2419 early, found my window and middle seats, then raised the armrest between them to make my own small haven.
I spent an extra $176 for that middle seat… not because I couldn’t technically fit in one, but because I didn’t want to spend three hours pressed against a stranger who’d shoot me side-eye every time turbulence pushed us together.
Travelers in the economy section of a plane | Source: Unsplash
They showed up as I was looking through the safety card.
“Look, baby! Instead, I could sit right next to you! declared a man in a voice full of undeserved confidence.
When I looked up, I saw a pair standing in the aisle: a man with his hair slicked back and wearing a shirt that was too tight, and his girlfriend wearing jewelry that gleamed in the fluorescent lights and had a flawless blowout.
Like they had unearthed hidden treasure, they were both fixated on my vacant middle seat.
Flight with empty seats | Source: Unsplash
I summoned my courteous voice and apologized, saying, “I actually paid for both of these seats.”
The man, whom I called Mr. Entitled in my mind, gave a dramatic double-take. “You purchased two seats? For yourself?
Heat began to rise up my neck. For my own comfort, yes. The middle seat is covered by insurance.
He flashed his flawless teeth as he laughed. It’s empty, isn’t it? Nobody is seated here.
That’s because I purchased it so that nobody would be seated there. Kindly proceed to your designated seat.
A man indicating with his finger | Source: Freepik
Rather than answer, he just sank into the middle seat, his scent instantly encroaching on my personal space. “Don’t be theatrical, please! The flight is filled. It’s pointless to waste a seat.
Miss Entitled, his girlfriend, took her seat across the aisle from him and leaned forward to join us in our talk.
She pouted her lips and replied, “We just want to sit together,” as though I were being totally irrational. “It’s not a huge deal.”
However, it was. His leg touched my thigh, and his arm was already pressed on mine. The comfort I had purchased vanished.
A woman’s pouting lips in grayscale | Source: Pexels
I responded, my voice firm despite the rage simmering beneath, “I understand wanting to sit together, but I specifically paid for this seat so I wouldn’t have to deal with exactly this situation.”
“Come on! He extended his legs wide and murmured, “Just move over a bit.” “If you need more space, it’s not my fault.”
“Pardon me?”
Once more, Miss Entitled bent across the aisle. “Oh my god, stop it right away. You’re acting like a fat jerk in this situation!
Those words cut through me like ice, loud enough for other passengers to hear. Across the aisle, an old woman averted her eyes uneasily. Two rows above, a businessman turned to gaze.
A woman who is discouraged | Source: Freepik
I had the option to call the flight attendant. or created a commotion. I simply grinned instead.
“All right! Retain your seat.
I grabbed a family-sized bag of extra crunchy kettle chips from my carry-on as soon as the jet reached cruising altitude.
I ripped the bag open with a loud tear and said to Mr. Entitled, “I hope you don’t mind.” “When I fly, I always eat something.”
I forced myself to find a comfortable position, which meant taking back every inch of space that was mine. Every time he moved away, I grew to fill the void.
A woman with a bunch of potato chips in her hand | Source: Pexels
He said, “Could you..?” when my elbow brushed his for the third time.
“I apologize!” Not at all sorry, I said. “You know, tight quarters?”
I took out my iPad and held it at an angle that made my arms look bigger. I then “accidentally” jostled him as I unscrewed the cap on my water bottle.
After twenty minutes of this, I could sense his annoyance mounting. His girlfriend responded with increasingly dramatic eye rolls as he continued to steal looks at her.
At last, he yelled, “Will you please stop moving around so much?”
In mid-crunch, I stopped. “All I’m trying to do is settle into my seats.”
A man who is annoyed | Source: Freepik
“Seats? There is only one seat. You are in a single seat.
I reached for another chip and remarked, “I’m actually in one and a half seats.” the part you’re in right now? I also payed for that.
His expression clouded. “This is absurd.”
“I absolutely agree.”
The call button over his head was poked.
Moments after, a flight attendant with smooth hair and weary eyes emerged. “How may I assist?”
He pointed to me as if I were a suspicious item and said, “This woman is making it impossible for me to sit here.” She continues to spread out, elbow me, and eat directly in front of me.
An airline employee investigating passenger concerns in the economy section | Source: Unsplash
The flight attendant gave me a hopeful expression.
I raised two fingers. “I purchased both of these seats.”
She made a subtle adjustment in expression. “I’ll verify that for you.” After taking out her iPad and tapping it a couple of times, she nodded. “Sir, our system indicates that the same passenger purchased both 14A and 14B.”
Mr. Entitled’s expression became limp. “You’re not serious.”
“I’m afraid I am. You must go back to your designated seat, which is… “22C,” she checked her tablet once more.
“This is crazy,” he said, but he stood grudgingly.As he pushed past his companion and into the aisle, I murmured, “Have a pleasant flight.”
A man shouting at someone out of frustration | Source: Freepik
Miss Entitled was far from finished. “You’re too overweight for a seat, so you really purchased an extra one? I have never heard anything so pitiful.
The flight attendant’s body tensed up. “Ma’am, using profanity like that on our flights is just inappropriate. I must request that you abstain from disparaging other people personally.
She muttered, “Whatever!” yet her cheeks turned red.
A fiercely looking woman | Source: Pexels
I eventually let out a breath as they backed off to their own seats in the back. The flight attendant who had “Jenn” written on her name tag stayed.
“I apologize for that,” she replied.
It’s not your fault. I appreciate you checking.
She gave a nod. “If you require any additional assistance, simply press the call button.”
With a sense of triumph, I took back my position and spread myself across both seats.
I became aware of a disturbance in the vicinity of the rear around an hour into the journey. I craned my neck to see Mr. and Miss Entitled standing in the aisle, looking at another flight attendant with heated gestures.
Passengers on a plane | Source: Unsplash
I inferred from snippets of their louder chat that they were attempting to persuade other travelers to move seats so they could sit together. The younger, buzz-cut flight attendant continued to shake his head.
“Please go back to your seat, sir. The aisle is being blocked by you.
“All we want to do is sit together!” The voice of Miss Entitled could be heard all the way to the front. “You won’t let us switch, even though someone was willing to do so!”
“We need you to clear the aisle for the beverage service right now, and as I mentioned, crew approval is required for mid-flight seat changes.”
Although this work has been fictionalized for artistic reasons, it is based on actual individuals and events. To preserve privacy and improve the story, names, characters, and specifics have been altered. Any likeness to real people—living or dead—or real events is entirely accidental and not the author’s intention.
The publisher and author disclaim all liability for any misunderstanding and offer no guarantees regarding the veracity of events or character portrayals. The opinions contained in this narrative are those of the characters and do not represent the author’s or publisher’s perspectives. It is presented “as is.”