In a push for greater inclusivity in air travel, an influencer recently demanded that airlines provide overweight flyers with as many free extra seats as needed. This demand seeks to address the challenges faced by larger passengers in cramped airline seats, and to make air travel accessible for everyone regardless of their weight.
Influencer Demands Airlines Give Overweight Flyers As Many Free Extra Seats As They Need
By
Aleena in
Social Issues
On 23rd April 2023
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Credit: Instagram/@jaebaeproductions
Jaelynn Chaney, a travel and lifestyle creator who recently faced ‘discrimination and discomfort’ while traveling by air as a plus-sized person, has launched an online petition to advocate for greater protection and accommodation of overweight travelers like herself.
Based in Vancouver, Chaney is ‘demanding’ that the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) requires all airlines to implement a clear customer-of-size policy that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of all passengers, including those who are overweight.
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In the petition, she writes:
“This policy should include clear guidelines on accommodating larger passengers, such as providing larger seats, seat belt extenders, and alternative seating arrangements.”
Credit: Instagram/@jaebaeproductions
According to Chaney, both she and her partner have had negative experiences while traveling by air, which has inspired her to launch an online petition advocating for greater accommodation and protection for overweight passengers.
“My fiancé was subjected to hateful comments, disapproving looks, and even refusal to sit next to them, amounting to discrimination,” she said of a flight from Pasco to Denver.
“Similarly, on another flight, I was forced to occupy only one seat with immovable armrests that caused me pain and bruises.”
Chaney continued:
“Being forced to occupy only one seat can result in pain and vulnerability to poor treatment from fellow passengers, including hateful comments, disapproving looks, and even refusal to sit next to them.
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“This mistreatment of plus-size passengers is unacceptable, and it highlights the urgent need for better policies that protect the dignity and rights of all passengers, regardless of size.
“Unfortunately, plus-size passengers often experience discomfort and discrimination when flying. The lack of a uniform customer-of-size airline policy is unacceptable and must be addressed.”
Through her online petition, Chaney calls on the FAA to ‘protect’ overweight travelers like herself by implementing policies that prioritize their comfort and well-being.
These policies include providing accessible additional seats to accommodate their size and other measures to prevent discrimination and ensure a positive travel experience for all passengers.
She said:
“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,”
Additionally, Chaney believes that airlines should offer full reimbursement for plus-sized travelers who purchase additional seats independently and provide comprehensive employee training on how to accommodate overweight passengers.
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These demands aim to create a more inclusive and equitable air travel experience for all passengers, regardless of their size or body type.
Credit: TikTok/@jaebaeofficial
Chaney acknowledges that these changes could result in higher ticket prices, but she argues that it’s a small price to pay for ensuring that all passengers are treated with dignity and respect while traveling by air.
As a travel influencer, Chaney has used her platform to document her and her fiancé’s struggles while flying, sharing videos of them being tightly packed into seats and recounting the hurtful comments that other passengers have made, such as asking her if she purchased two seats.
She continued:
“Airlines must create a set of policies, standards, and procedures for plus-size travellers and communicate them in a clear, accessible, and easy-to-understand way,”
“This should include information on booking additional seats, requesting a refund, and what to expect during check-in, boarding, and flight.”
Chaney believes that airlines should provide additional airport assistance if necessary, such as wheelchair assistance and priority boarding, to accommodate plus-sized travelers.
She added:
“Airlines should also create accommodations for larger passengers, such as larger bathrooms, seat belt extenders, and alternative seating arrangements,”
On April 16, after her online petition garnered over 5,000 signatures, Chaney posted an update to express her gratitude for her overwhelming support.
In her update, she thanked everyone who has signed and shared her petition and reiterated her commitment to fighting for greater accommodation and protection for overweight travelers.
She wrote:
“I am so excited to announce that we have reached 5,000 signatures on our petition to make travel more inclusive for people of all sizes and abilities!
“This is a major milestone and could not have been achieved without the incredible support from all of you. Thank you so much for your unwavering dedication to this important cause.
“As many of you may already know, our petition has been featured in the press lately, which has brought some negative attention to our page.
“However, we will not be discouraged by this. We know that our mission is a worthy one, and we will continue to fight for inclusivity in the travel industry.”
In a recent Instagram post, she added:
"No matter what we do, someone is mad. So we might as well do exactly what we want to do. We only get this one life to live and I'll be damned if I spend it sad and hating my life and or body.
"Nobody should have to live like that. I will never encourage someone to spend life hidden away to appease someone on the internet who takes time out of their day to spread hate."