Depending on your body shape, you may need a seatbelt extender when traveling in a car or airplane. Standard length seatbelts are designed for the traveler up to about 215 pounds in a car; however, if you weight more than 215 pounds or if you carry your weight around your hips and stomach, you are probably a good candidate for a seatbelt extender.
Types of Seatbelt Extenders
There are basically two types of seatbelt extenders:
- An extended length of seatbelt webbing with a clasp on each end
- A stick-like device which attaches to one of the existing seatbelt clasps
Car Seatbelt Extenders
There are two types of extenders designed for cars. One design is an extended length of seatbelt webbing with a clasp on each end which you attach to the existing seatbelt. The other design is an 8-10" stick-like device that you click into the stationary end of the current seat belt bracket.
Airplane Seatbelt Extenders
Seatbelt extenders for airplanes are an extended length of seatbelt webbing with a clasp on each end which you attach to the existing seatbelt. Flight attendants use them to demonstrate how to buckle your seatbelt and then provide them for use by passengers.
There are three basic types of airplane seatbelt extenders:
Style A - This style fits most of the Boeing jets flying domestically and internationally as well as many of the smaller jets and prop planes. Specifically, this style is used on American, United, US Air, TWA, Northwest, Delta, Continental, Jet Blue, Alaska, British Airways and Air Canada. This is the best style to purchase if you want to purchase only one style of extender for your airline travel.- Style B - This style fits most of the smaller planes.
- Southwest, Qantas and Lufthansa Airlines - These airlines have a unique style of seatbelt clasp and Style A or B extenders will not work with their onboard seatbelts. You will need to request a seatbelt extender from the flight attendant.
An airline seatbelt extenders is typically 24-25" in length, an can be adjusted to extend a few inches or up to the full length of the extender. If you need a longer extender, 30" extenders are available from Amplestuff.
Where to Buy Seatbelt Extenders
There are many online sources for seat belt extenders. When selecting your retailer, make sure that the seatbelt meets or exceeds federal standards and, in the case of airplane extenders, that they are FAA approved.
Car Seatbelt Extenders
The best source for car seatbelt extenders is your car dealer since you can be sure that the extender is designed to fit in your particular car. Frequently they will provide an extender for the driver at no cost. Check with their parts department for the cost and availability.
Specialty online retails such as LivingXL also offer car seatbelt extenders.
Airplane Seatbelt Extenders
There are many sources for airplane seatbelt extenders including LivingXL, Extend-ITs and Amplestuff.For More Help and Ideas
- Selecting a Size-Friendly Airline
- Airline Comfort
- Airline Tips for Large Passengers
- Elizabeth Fisher's website regarding the current regulations regarding seatbelt extenders
- LivingXL for seatbelt extenders.