Plus-sized traveler demands free seats, better accommodations on airlines
A plus-size travel social media influencer demanded that airlines better accommodate larger passengers when traveling.
Jae’lynn Chaney from Vancouver, Washington, started the Change.org petition “Demand for the FAA to Protect Plus-Sized Customers,” detailing several demands to ensure larger passengers can fly without issues.
Chaney kicked off the petition claiming she and her fiancé were subjected to discrimination on a recent flight from Pasco, WA to Denver — which roughly takes just over 2 hours.
She claims other passengers refused to sit next to them, with the pair receiving “hateful comments” and “disapproving looks” while traveling.
“As plus-size travelers, my partner and I have unfortunately experienced discrimination and discomfort while flying,” the content creator wrote in her petition.
The influencer wrote it was not the first time she felt discriminated against while flying.
“On another flight, I was forced to occupy only one seat with immovable armrests that caused me pain and bruises,” she wrote, citing that when she and her fiancé purchase extra seats on their own, they are still mistreated by other passengers and airline staff.
Chaney said her experiences flying caused her “pain and vulnerability” and that the airline companies have a responsibility to consider people of larger size when booking flights and is requesting the FAA to step in to enforce her demands.
“The FAA must require all airlines to implement a clear customer-of-size policy that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of all passengers. This policy should include clear guidelines on accommodating larger passengers, such as providing larger seats, seat belt extenders, and alternative seating arrangements,” Chaney wrote in the petition.
“All plus-size passengers should be provided with an extra free seat, or even two or three seats depending on their size, to accommodate their needs and ensure their comfort during the flight,” the influencer wrote.
For plus-size passengers who purchase extra seats on their own, Chaney wants the airlines to fully reimburse their additional seats, saying this process should be “straightforward.”
The FAA currently has no seat size requirement for airlines, with the average seat width in economy travel being 17 inches and 30 inches of legroom when a seat is pitched back, according to Reuters.
Chaney also called on the airlines to “provide additional airport assistance to plus-size travelers if necessary, including wheelchair assistance and priority boarding,” along with proper employee training to handle “sensitive situations and providing appropriate customer service” for larger travelers.
Her petition also calls for larger-sized bathrooms for plus-size travelers, saying planes should have “at least one wheelchair accessible restroom.”
For bathrooms, the average size is around 24 inches wide — depending on the airline — which is 10 inches less than the average porta-potty, according to the Washington Post.
But the airlines and FAA aren’t the only arm of air travel that Chaney has called out in the petition, with the TSA getting a piece of her mind with how they could better handle plus-size passengers.
“The TSA should implement clear guidelines for screening plus-size travelers, train agents on how to respectfully interact with plus-size travelers, offer sensitivity training, and provide accessible screening equipment,” she wrote.
Chaney’s petition has gained 3,951 signatures of her set goal of 5,000 as of Saturday morning.
Chaney labels herself as a “Plus Size Travel, Fashion & Lifestyle” creator and has nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram.
With Post wires
