A plus-size blogger has reposted her demand that U.S. airlines stop making larger passengers pay more for extra seats ahead of the holiday travel season.
Jaelynn Chaney thinks it’s outrageous that plus-size passengers are “forced to pay twice for the same accommodations as anyone else with a single ticket,” she said in a tiktok video this week.
“It’s not about giving more to fat people, but about meeting their basic needs.”
The plus-size travel advocate has long preached the need for larger seats on airplanes, as she claims major air travel companies continually shrink seats to accommodate more passengers.
She believes the United States should take on Canada’s “one person, one ticket” policy.
Since January 2008, the Canadian government has enacted a one-person, one-rate policy.
Airlines such as Air Canada require passengers who need medical accommodation to submit paperwork and documentation from their doctors to make the request, which will be approved up to 48 hours before the flight, according to the canadian government.
Air Canada Aptitude for air travel procedures It does include a section to allow passengers to request an accommodation “for reasons of obesity.”
Jaelynn Chaney thinks it’s outrageous that plus-size passengers are “forced to pay twice for the same accommodation as anyone else with a single ticket,” she said in a TikTok video.
She believes the United States should take on Canada’s “one person, one ticket” policy. The Canadian government has enacted a single-rate one-person policy into law since 2008.
To determine if a passenger is eligible for a person’s policy, a fare through the airline, they must provide their height, weight, body mass index and surface area measurements, which is the distance of the two widest points.
It also requires a doctor’s signature.
The United States does not have a similar policy. He Department of Transportation rules: “Airlines are not required to provide more than one seat per ticket purchased.”
“Why do other countries, like Canada, recognize this as a basic need, but here in the United States the airlines are still making money off of our discomfort?” Chaney questioned. ‘It’s time they stopped profiting from our bodies and started treating everyone fairly.
“And let’s not forget that airplane seats continue to shrink every year, making things even more difficult for people who already need extra space.”
Commenters were quick to disagree with Chaney’s will, with one writing: “If you take up two seats, no one else will be able to buy a ticket to sit there, so you’ll have to pay for it.”
Another questioned the same: ‘If you use two seats, shouldn’t you pay for two seats?’
Another disgruntled commenter wrote: “If I’m ever big enough to need two seats, that’ll be my wake-up call.”
Airlines, such as Air Canada, require passengers who need medical accommodations to submit documentation and documentation from their doctors to make the request. To determine if a passenger is eligible, they must provide their height, weight, body mass index, and more.
‘So who would decide if two seats were needed?’ wrote one man. ‘What happens if I identify as a size passenger? Or would the fact that I’m 6’4” force me to have guaranteed business or get out of the ranks?’
This is not the first time the influencer has advocated for the half of obese travelers who are desperate for more space to fly comfortably.
In June 2023, it called for US airlines to be required to reimburse overweight passengers for additional seats they are forced to purchase when booking to accommodate their size.
“As plus-size travelers, my partner and I have unfortunately experienced discrimination and discomfort while flying,” he wrote in his requestwhich has been signed by almost 40,000 people.
He added: “All plus-size passengers should be provided with an additional free seat, or even two or three seats depending on their size, to meet their needs and ensure their comfort during the flight.”
Returning the focus to refunds, Chaney added: “Airlines should offer a refund to plus-size passengers who purchase additional seats independently.” This should be a simple process that can be accessed online or through customer service.’
Almost a year and a half later, US airlines have still not heard his request.
But she’s had trouble with more than just airplane seats, such as when she got stuck in a revolving door at Chicago O’Hare.
“Why do other countries, like Canada, recognize this as a basic need, but here in the United States the airlines are still making money off of our discomfort?” Chaney questioned. “It’s time to stop profiting from our bodies and start treating everyone fairly”
Despite not needing a wheelchair for mobility reasons on a daily basis, Chaney decided to use one while passing through Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
‘I recently had a harrowing experience at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. “As a plus-size ambulatory wheelchair user, I faced a significant challenge trying to get to the baggage claim area,” Chaney began.
‘The only option is to go through a revolving door. We pressed the button to slow down for people with disabilities, but when we got in we got stuck,” he explained, noting that he also has claustrophobia.
“I started to panic and frantically flagged down the staff to help me, but they just stared at me and offered no help.”
Chaney, who is 6XL, did not post any photos or videos evidencing her ordeal and accused O’Hare Airport staff of failing to respond.
She also claimed that staff at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport refused to push her off the jet bridge because of her size.
“My ordeal at SeaTac Airport will shock you,” Chaney said in a TikTok in May. Chaney, who can walk, detailed how he requested wheelchair assistance on a recent flight, as he always does.
However, Chaney claims that when she attempted to leave the plane, the employee assigned to help her began to walk away when he realized he was supposed to help the plus-sized woman and not one of the smaller passengers.
The travel influencer said that as the employee walked away with the wheelchair she was making comments about her size. Chaney says the ordeal left her breathless.