World’s Tallest Woman, Rumeysa Gelgi, Shares Her Air Travel Experience – News18

Last Updated:January 07, 2025, 3:03 PM IST

Rumeysa Gelgi was lying flat on a stretcher to protect her back throughout the 19-hour journey from Istanbul to San Francisco.

Rumeysa Gelgi, the world’s tallest woman who lives with a rare genetic condition, recently revealed her air travel experience. Turkish Airlines went the extra mile to ensure her comfort during the 19-hour journey from Istanbul to San Francisco. To accommodate her needs, the airline removed six seats to install a custom stretcher, allowing Rumeysa to lie flat and protect her back throughout the flight. The cabin crew, medical staff and support teams worked diligently to make the journey seamless and relaxing.

Speaking about her experience with Guinness World Records, Rumeysa said, “I’m literally so excited my heart beats fast. Because of my spine condition, I had to fly on this stretcher. It was great, it was really comfortable. The entire crew and the chef surprised me with a stunning chocolate cake. This was so kind, so lovely, it made me emotional to be honest.”

In the comment section, Rumeysa Gelgi further explained, “I have a condition called scoliosis, which is severe spinal curvature. I had spinal fusion surgery for it, 11 years ago and my curve has been reduced and doesn’t threaten my life anymore. However, the time I can stay seated is still limited to 1-2 hours at once (it was a maximum of 20 minutes before my surgery). After that period of time, I need to lie down for a while to relieve the immense pressure on my spine.”

Rumeysa Gelgi shared that her spinal condition requires her to keep her back straight and flat at all times due to two long rods and 30 screws in her spine, which prevent it from bending or twisting. As a result, travelling by air on a stretcher is not just the safest option but the only viable one for her—not because of her height, but due to her medical condition. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for finding a way to experience air travel safely.

According to GWR, Rumeysa Gelgi was born with Weaver Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that leads to bone overgrowth and other symptoms. This condition has only around 50 known cases in medical history.