There’s no doubt that airplanes are uncomfortable for even the most petite flyers. As a plus-sized person, it can be downright miserable. That’s why influencer Jae’lynn Chaney has started a petition, calling for airlines to offer up free extra seats and bigger bathrooms on board planes for larger flyers. She said she was inspired to start the Change.org petition after experiencing “discrimination and disomfort” while traveling with her partner.
Both Jae’lynn Chaney and her partner are plus-sized. During a recent flight from Paso to Denver, she says her fiancé was “subjected to hateful comments, disapproving looks, and even refusal to sit next to them.” Jae’lynn herself dealt with “pain and bruises” after she had to fit into a seat with unmovable armrests.
Twitter/Jae'Lynn Chaney
Understandably, she wants the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to step in to make flying a more welcoming experience for larger bodies. She believes “air travel should be comfortable and accessible for everyone.” With that in mind, she wants the FFA to “implement a clear customer-of-size policy that prioritises the comfort and well-being of all passengers.”
How does she propose this is done? Well, she believes plus-sized passengers should be given “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.” In addition, seat belt extenders (which are pretty widely available) and bigger bathrooms should be available.
Part of this will come down to employee training, as Jae’Lynn Chaney believes staff need to know “how to accommodate plus-size travellers, including handling sensitive situations and providing appropriate customer service.”
Chaney says she knows doing this would be. Bit costly, but she believes it’s an important change that would be well worth it. “Implementing policies to accommodate plus-size passengers may come with associated costs, but these costs must be weighed against the benefits of creating a more welcoming and inclusive travel experience,” she wrote.
At the time of writing, the Change.org petition has more than 5,800 signatures.
