Rumeysa Gelgi was able to make her first trip on an airplane after Turkish Airlines removed six seats in order to accommodate her.
Gelgi, a Turkish advocate, researcher, and developer, currently holds the Guinness World Records’ titles of the tallest living woman, largest hands, longest fingers, and longest back. She stands at a towering 7 ft 0.71 in.
“This was my first plane ride but it certainly won’t be my last. From now on it will be a great honor and pleasure to fly to different parts of the world with @turkishairlines A heartfelt thank you to each and every person who has been a part of my journey,” Rumeysa Gelgi wrote on Instagram about her historic flight.
Gelgi, who has a condition known as Weaver syndrome, causing her bones to grow rapidly and larger than normal, had never flown before her September flight from Istanbul to San Francisco. The airline made room for a stretcher for Gelgi to lie on during the flight by removing six seats.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Weaver syndrome, also known as Weaver-Smith syndrome, is a rare genetic condition. The condition causes bone overgrowth, which usually results in people with Weaver syndrome growing very tall. Some may have distinct facial features, such as wide-set eyes, and may also have intellectual or physical disabilities.
While there is no cure for Weaver syndrome, people with this condition can live very healthy lives.
Gelgi became a front-end web developer in 2021 and is a passionate swimmer as well as an avid reader of crime novels.
Gelgi previously held the Guinness World Records title in 2014 for the tallest female teenager when she was 18. Earlier this year, she was awarded the distinction of having the longest finger on a living female at 4.4 inches. She also is the record holder of the longest back on a living female, with a measurement of 23.58 inches.
Guinness World Records stated last year that Gelgi can walk short distances with the aid of a walker. She primarily relies on a wheelchair to get around, however.
The 25-year-old Turkish woman has plans to spend the next six months in the U.S. She has been recording and posting via her Instagram account while she spends time in California.
