How does the tallest woman in the world travel on a plane?

We are sure that the question has crossed your mind at least once: how do the tallest people in the world travel?

How do you plan a trip, when you are the tallest woman in the world? What adjustments are needed, and what can ensure a flawless experience? 

To answer those questions, we glimpsed behind the scenes of Rumeysa Gelgi's travels: her very first trip (from Istanbul, Türkiye, to California) and her most recent one as she visited London for Guinness World Records Day 2024.

Standing at an impressive 217 cm (equalling to 7.1 feet tall), as it's easy to imagine, Rumeysa's superlative height and health condition make air travel far from straightforward.

In both cases, however, Turkish Airlines played a pivotal role in ensuring the ICON's comfort and well-being. 

The company itself isn’t new to record-breaking accomplishments. 

The Istanbul-based airline recently set itself apart from other companies and, as of October 2024, officially holds the Guinness World Records title for the most countries flown to by an airline.

In a year, from September 2023 to September 2024, the airline operated routes to 120 different countries.

It’s no surprise, then, that they were able to make Rumeysa’s “travel dreams” come true. 

Rumeysa was born with Weaver Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes bone overgrowth, among other symptoms, and that contributed to her height.

Extremely rare, this genetic disorder counts only about 50 reported cases in medical history, with Rumeysa being the first ever case documented in her native country.

Although her life wasn't always easy, Rumeysa said that her records "motivated her to pursue her goals and have a more confident outlook in life."

Now, the ICON is a beacon for inclusivity: she often advocates for equal rights, uses her platforms to educate others on her condition and boasts several records thanks to her remarkable figure and outstanding stature.

Among them:

• Longest back on a living person (female) - a total of 59.90 cm (23.58 in) 
• Largest hands on a living person (female) - right hand 24.93 cm (9.81 in) and left hand 24.26 cm (9.55 in)
• Longest baby (female) ever - measuring 59 cm (1 ft 11 in) at birth.

However, that also means that Rumeysa faces unique challenges in her everyday life.

Travelling is no exception. 

In fact, for a long time, such difficulties kept Rumeysa from travelling at all. 

Her height and spinal condition usually restricted her from boarding a standard-size aircraft unless adjustments were made.

Her first-ever flight became possible in 2023 thanks to the efforts of Turkish Airlines: an involvement that allowed the record holder to set off from her native Türkiye and reach San Francisco, USA, to meet other record holders. 

It was the first time she experienced the skies, and she recalls that her country's national airline went above and beyond to accommodate her needs.

“Because of my spine condition, I have to fly on a stretcher,” Rumeysa explains. 

Due to her scoliosis, (a spine condition that causes an irregular curve in the frontal plane, the anatomical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections), it's impossible for the record holder to sit for longer than a couple of hours.

Flying on a stretcher allows Rumeysa to board a plane and enjoy her flight while keeping her back on a flat surface.

As she explained on Instagram, that's the safest - and, often, the only - option for the record holder.

To allow Rumeysa to travel while lying down, Turkish Airlines removed six seats from the aircraft and installed a custom stretcher, ensuring the support and comfort she needed.

Rumeysa's trip from Istanbul to San Francisco stretched for 19 hours, with 13 hours only occupied by air travel.

The preparations, boarding and flight involved different teams and demanded meticulous coordination between cabin crew, medical personnel, and several other departments.

To make the memorable journey even sweeter, the airline’s in-house chef and crew surprised her with a chocolate cake to celebrate her first time in the clouds. 

Moved, Rumeysa defined the gesture as “so kind and lovely.”

The record holder’s adventures in the US were recorded in Rumeysa: Walking Tall, the first-ever feature-length documentary by Guinness World Records.

After that life-changing trip, the record holder praised Turkish Airlines on Instagram for their inclusivity and support.

The company had turned a dream into reality.

They made it possible even for those passengers who (as Rumeysa would write in a later post) thought "travel would forever be beyond their reach".

“From now on, I will be honoured and happy to fly to different parts of the world with @turkishairlines,” she wrote in the caption of her heartfelt Instagram post.

True to her word, Rumeysa took to the skies again in November 2024.

On that occasion, the record holder successfully ticked off another dream destination from her bucket list: London, where Rumeysa became one of the protagonists of the 20th anniversary of GWR Day.

During a journey to remember, Rumeysa met fellow Guinness World Records ICON Jyoti Amge, the shortest woman (mobile) in the world and superstar of American Horror Story: Freakshow.

The week was packed with extraordinary adventures for the ladies: they went from sightseeing (when their busy schedule allowed) to epic Hungry Hippos head-to-heads, and even indulged in a luxurious afternoon tea at the Savoy Hotel.

The meeting made headlines worldwide, marking an exciting page in the history of Guinness World Records.

As she reflected on her London adventure, Rumeysa dedicated another shoutout to Turkish Airlines.

The company ensured her comfort and safety arriving and departing from London Heathrow (respectively aboard flights TK 1979 and TK 1980) and allowed the record holder to add "another tick to her world map".

"It fills me with happiness and pride that my home country’s airline provides such an excellent option, making air travel accessible to so many," she writes.  

From the lovely personalized welcome note she received with her ticket to the total attention to detail, Rumeysa applauded the airline for making air travel accessible for all passengers.

"I can’t express how much I love watching our planet from above the clouds, and how deeply grateful I am to Turkish Airlines for making this possible," she reports.

"Turkish Airlines, thank you for being my home in the skies and always supporting me in achieving my travel dreams," she concludes.

A second journey that, like the first one, was nothing but “seamless”.

It's no secret that travel can often be a source of anxiety: from dealing with unexpected delays to experiencing anxiety during boarding, according to a 2023 study, catching a flight can turn into a major stress factor for travellers.

That is even truer as the tallest woman in the world.

However, Rumeysa has taken the challenge in stride.

Now, thanks to the support of those around her, the 28-year-old ICON can fully embrace her 'seeing the world' era.

As she confessed during her birthday celebrations, the Guinness World Records 2025 superstar has big plans for 2025: "My New Year’s resolutions are to visit more countries and landmarks, return to the USA at some point in 2025, and explore more opportunities related to my personal career.”

As we eagerly wait to see what other countries she will visit next, we wish every flight in Rumeysa's future will be a piece of (chocolate) cake!