Rumeysa Gelgi, the world’s tallest woman, has opened up about the extraordinary lengths she must go to just to board a plane — including paying for six seats and flying while strapped to a stretcher.
Standing at an astonishing 7 feet 0.7 inches, the Turkish native holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest living woman. While she recently marked her 28th birthday with plans to travel the world, her journeys come with unique and often daunting challenges.
Rumeysa, who lives in Turkey’s Karabük province, typically uses a wheelchair or walker for mobility. Due to her height and medical condition, she cannot sit in standard airline seats. As a result, Turkish Airlines has gone to remarkable lengths to accommodate her — removing six seats from one of their aircrafts and installing a custom stretcher so she can fly lying down.
She took her first-ever flight in September 2022, traveling from San Francisco to Istanbul, and has since flown internationally about once a year — always with Turkish Airlines, one of the few carriers offering the necessary stretcher service. Countries she’s visited so far include the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy.
However, air travel remains a major undertaking. Rumeysa must arrive at the airport four hours early to meet with medical staff and prepare for boarding. She also bears the cost of the six-seat space required for the stretcher — a significant financial burden.
Despite her ambition to visit every country, Rumeysa has not yet been able to travel by bus or train. She hopes to experience those forms of travel in the near future.
Beyond transportation, accessibility at tourist attractions is another major hurdle. Speaking to Luxury Travel Daily, she expressed frustration at being unable to visit certain historic landmarks.
“At times, it’s upsetting to hold myself back from visiting remarkable places and experiencing the richness of history,” she said. “The lack of accessibility is often the only thing standing in the way. My top priority is always safety — not just to protect my wheelchair, but to prevent any harm to myself.”
Because she has spinal implants, even a minor fall could be dangerous. That risk limits her access to sites without proper infrastructure. She explained that while people are often helpful and well-meaning, their improvisations aren’t always safe or practical.
One dream trip still on her list is to explore East Asia — particularly Tokyo, Kyoto, Shanghai, and Seoul. But her most heartfelt wish is much closer to home: visiting the ancient monuments in Safranbolu, her hometown.
“One of its most famous areas is the Old Town, where visitors can see well-preserved Ottoman-era houses, mansions, and bathhouses,” she said. “Sadly, even though I live very close, I haven’t been able to visit. It’s not very accessible.”
She also recalled challenges navigating historic churches in other parts of the world, acknowledging that maintaining original conditions is important — but so is inclusion.
“Everyone deserves the chance to connect with the past, regardless of mobility,” Rumeysa said. “I hope to see more innovative solutions that make historic sites accessible to people with limitations.”
Rumeysa’s extraordinary height is caused by Weaver syndrome, a rare genetic condition that leads to rapid growth and other developmental challenges. Despite the physical and logistical barriers she faces, her determination to experience the world — and advocate for greater accessibility — continues to inspire many around the globe.
