The Best Airplane Seat Belt Extenders For Plus-size Travelers

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Many of us are wondering, can you use your own seat belt extender when flying?

While there are some debates around this question here is what we found.

In 2012 the FAA released a policy on passenger-provided seat belt extenders. The policy states that seat belt extenders provided by passengers are a safety risk due to the lack of regular safety testing.

What does this mean for those of us who are embarrassed about asking for an extender?

Asking a flight attendant just as you start boarding seems to be the best option as the majority of the time they will discreetly hand you the extender upon final checks.

But for those who are rebels, you might be curious what are the best seat belt extenders.

Types of seat belt extenders

Airlines use two basic types of seat belts, categorized as Type A or Type B.

Most airlines in the US and UK use Type A, except for Southwest which utilizes Type B seatbelts.

Can I bring a seat belt extender on a plane?

There is some debate about this, considering the FAA has pretty much said no due to safety reasons. However, the FAA has also approved many extenders that are currently on the market. With this, the majority of the advice you will hear or read in Facebook groups, Reddit, etc. will tell you to bring your own, however, this does not mean you will always be able to use it.

If a flight crew asks you to use one of the plane’s extenders be courteous as they are just doing their job.

The best airline seat belt extenders

Since there are two types of seatbelts we want to provide you with as much information as possible for your comfort and budget. To start we will go over duel packs that provide you with both type A and type B seat belts, from there we will break it down into the different types.

*Reminder these are only suggestions and may not work with all airlines.*

Best Seat Belt Extenders for Type A and Type B Airlines

Best Seat Belt Extenders for Type A Airlines

Best Seat Belt Extenders for Type B Airlines

Where can I buy seat belt extenders?

Seat belt extenders can be bought at many online retailers along with a few big box stores. We have found that locally owned luggage retail stores can sometimes also get their hands on these for customers.

Some of the stores you can purchase online from are Amazon, Walmart, and Seat Belt Extenders Pro.

Can I purchase a seat belt extender at the airport?

Unfortunately no you cannot purchase a seat belt extender at the airport. However, every flight should have a few available for customers and it is recommended to just ask the nearest flight attended at your seat.

How do you carry a seat belt extender through TSA checkpoints?

If you haven’t flown in a while the thought of being stopped at the security line for something such as a seat belt extender can be pretty nerve-racking. Granted majority of us have been stopped at least once or twice in our times for something (I once got stopped for my breakfast sandwich), this can still have some pretty big confidence-busting moments.

With that, if you are determined to carry your seat belt extender here are a few tips.

1. Carry it in your carry on where you can easily pull it out after boarding (my recommendation is in your personal item that goes under the seat in front of you.
2. Most of the time TSA will not stop you for this as there is a large population of plus size and overweight travelers these days
3. If asked about your seat belt, many travelers show proof of purchase (usually comes with a owners card upon purchasing).

What do all the safety standards mean?

Ok, I’ll admit, I was curious about what all of these standards such as E4 and E9 meant. Because I’m not any type of authority on the topic of seat belt safety I found this great resource to help if you want to learn more.

Universal Seatbelts Seat Belt Certification & Safety Standards.

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