World’s Tallest Woman Pays for Six Plane Seats to Fly Lying Down

Rumeysa Gelgi, recognized as the tallest woman in the world, has revealed the extraordinary lengths she must go to in order to travel by air—paying for six plane seats each time she flies to accommodate her unique condition.

Standing at 7 feet 0.7 inches tall, the 28-year-old Turkish woman lives with Weaver syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes accelerated growth and other physical complications. Due to her height and medical needs, she is unable to sit upright in standard airplane seats and must lie flat throughout her flights.

To facilitate her air travel, Turkish Airlines removes six seats on the aircraft and replaces them with a specially arranged stretcher, allowing Rumeysa to fly in comfort and safety. The airline first provided this service for her in 2022, during her journey from San Francisco to Istanbul.

“Each flight comes with its own set of challenges,” Gelgi said in an interview with Luxury Travel Daily. “I have to arrive four hours early, go through medical procedures, and personally fund the six seats required for the setup.”

Despite the logistical and financial hurdles, Rumeysa has already visited countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy. Her future travel aspirations include Tokyo, Kyoto, Shanghai, and Seoul. However, she has not yet been able to travel by train or bus, though she hopes to try those modes soon.

One of the biggest obstacles she faces is the lack of accessibility at many historic and tourist sites around the world. Even in her hometown of Safranbolu, Turkey, she has been unable to visit the famous Ottoman-era landmarks because they are not wheelchair accessible.
“It’s upsetting to hold myself back from visiting remarkable places and experiencing the richness of history,” she lamented. “Even though they are close by, they’re just not accessible.”

Rumeysa also emphasized the importance of safety due to the spinal implants she uses—making even a minor fall potentially dangerous. While she appreciates when strangers offer help, she noted that such assistance is not always safe or appropriate.

“Everyone deserves the chance to connect with the past, regardless of mobility,” she said, advocating for innovative efforts to make historical and public spaces more inclusive for people with physical limitations.