Not because I’m afraid of heights or turbulence — but because I’m overweight, and airplane seats are notoriously small. Every flight feels like a quiet battle: apologizing to strangers with my eyes, pressing myself against the window, worrying that I’m making someone else uncomfortable just by existing.
So this time, I decided to do something different.
When I booked my ticket, I purchased an extra seat next to mine. It wasn’t cheap — it literally doubled the cost of my flight — but I told myself it was worth it. I wanted to travel without anxiety, without invading someone else’s space, and without feeling humiliated for a few hours at 30,000 feet.
The day of the flight, I boarded early and settled into my window seat. The middle seat beside me was empty, just as planned. I exhaled for what felt like the first time all day.
Then a woman holding a toddler stopped in front of my row.
She looked at her boarding pass, then at the empty seat next to me.
“Oh perfect,” she said. “That seat is free? My son can sit there.”
I smiled politely and replied, “Actually, I purchased that seat as well.”
She blinked. “You bought two seats?”
“Yes,” I said calmly. “I needed the extra space.”
Her expression changed instantly.
“Well, that’s a little unnecessary, don’t you think? I’m traveling alone with a toddler. He needs space more than you do.”
