World's tallest woman finally flies for the first time after plane removed six seats

No one particularly loves flying. Being stuck in an aluminium box for hours on end while tens of thousands of feet up in the air can be uncomfortable at the best of times. And don’t even get us started on the leg room.

But for 25-year-old Rumeysa Gelgi, who holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for her height, no leg room in the world has ever been able to accommodate her 7ft frame.

Until recently, that is, when an airplane removed six seats to enable Gelgi to take to the skies for the first time in her life.

Instagram/rumeysagelgi

Thanks to Turkish Airlines, Gelgi was able to zip across the planet to San Francisco after the airline transformed seats into a stretcher long enough for her body.

Gelgi has Weaver syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes rapid growth, and gets around using a wheelchair.

She documented her trip on Instagram, writing: “A flawless journey from start to finish... this was my first plane ride but it certainly won't be my last... a heartfelt thank you to each and every person who has been a part of my journey."

Gelgi, who earns her living as a technology software expert, will be spending six months in the States for work but will also be collaborating with Guinness World Records while in California.

She and the Guinness World Records go way back, with their first collaboration being in 2014.

That year, she became the tallest living teenager and in 2021, was recognised as the 'tallest woman in the world'.

She’s also broken the Guinness World Record for the longest thumb on a living female, the largest hands on a living female and the longest back on a living female.

Gelgi’s followers were delighted to hear that she’d finally found an airline that would accommodate her, with many taking to the comment section of her post to share support.

People left comments including: “So glad your first flight went well!”, “So happy for you!” and “Awesome. I hope you get to see the world now.”

Turkish Airlines also responded to her post, writing: “Hello Ms. Rümeysa, we are very happy that your flight went smoothly and your valuable feedback.

“We always want to do what we can for you and our work continues in this direction. Whenever you need us, we are here for you as Turkish Airlines.”