• Take a letter from your doctor explaining why you need extra leg room, but also stating that you are fit to travel; and don't fly with British Airways. I, too, have a history of deep-vein thrombosis and very long legs. I have had to fly to New York four times in the past year, and the letter to the airline was my doctor's suggestion. Producing the letter at check-in got me a blissfully spacious bulkhead seat from three of the airlines I travelled with: Virgin, American, and United. But British Airways couldn't have been less helpful. Although they were the only airline who specifically asked for a doctor's letter confirming my fitness to fly, they then suggested that he was wrong and I should not be flying in economy class with my medical condition. I've been told that bulkhead seats aren't usually allocated in advance, and priority is given to people travelling with babies, so it's probably wise to phone the airline beforehand and see what their policy is.
Rebecca Rutherford
• I am 6'3", so have similar problems. The best way I have found to manage is to ask for an "exit seat" - the extra space required for access to the emergency exit means a great deal of extra leg room for those who sit next to them.
And a warning - some airlines can refuse to allow someone they deem too old, weak or slow to sit by an exit. Apparently you could constitute a safety risk! Hardly encouraging, but...
Doug Stratton
• Try and get to the check-in desk really early, so you're one of the first. That way you can ask for a seat by one of the emergency exits - they have more leg room than ordinary economy seats.
I would also recommend buying a pair of surgical stockings to keep down the risk of blood clots in your legs. You can buy them quite cheaply in chemists such as Boots. And don't forget to get up and walk around the cabin at least once an hour, to keep the blood circulating.
Judith Zerdin
• Despite being obviously tall, checking in early and usually asking for extra leg room, I have only succeeded twice. Flying alone from Santiago in Chile to Atlanta on Delta, the Chilean desk clerk allocated me two seats together for an overnight flight. I was not so fortunate on my second consecutive night on a Delta plane, flying to London. Last month, my boyfriend and I flew with a charter airline to from Gatwick to Agadir. Our check-in was delayed by two confused elderly couples. The clerk remained exceptionally calm and, after taking a deep breath, asked if we would like extra leg room, and allocated us bulkhead seats.
Leg room is not the only consideration: getting up and walking around, and exercising feet, ankles and legs while seated, is also important.
The medical aspects you mention are important: consult your GP regarding taking aspirin or heparin, and get measured for compression stockings by your pharmacist.
Jean Sinclair
