BUMP your post, Jem.
5’4” 130 here and I almost always get a huge fatty seated next to me and half the time a non-English speaking huge fatty who brings native food on board in a paper sack. I can’t afford First Class either.
I AM willing to pay more for coach if I can get more leg room. I do pay for the premium seats when the seats are available. On a 13-hour flight, it makes a huge difference.
A few times, I have paid extra and flown business. The larger seats and leg room is wonderful!
You and I are close to the same size and I have been crammed between fatties too often. People who are really fat should be required to buy 2 seats instead of hanging over the arm rest into my space. The tall long legged guys don’t crowd me but I know they are uncomfortable. The rest rooms on Southwest are so narrow that fatties have to back in. How embarrassing is that!
The other thing I dread is sitting next to sick people, coughing and sneezing all over. ugh!