(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) Obese TikTok influencer Jae’lynn Chaney called on the Federal Aviation Administration to force airlines to comp tickets for fat people who could not fly comfortably in a single seat.
According to the Post Millennial, Chaney argued that airline policies were “discriminatory” and passengers who did not fit in regular-size airline seats should not have to pay for the space they occupied.
“People with smaller bodies get to pay one fare to get to their destination, and we have to pay two fares, even though we’re getting the same experience,” she said. “If anything, our experiences are a little bit more challenging.”
Cheney is a size 6XL. In an interview with CNN Travel, she said she has been larger than average her entire life and garnered a massive social-media following posting her gripes about traveling as an obese individual.
Many of her complaints stemmed from the reactions of other travelers.
She recently started a petition calling for government intervention in the airline industry, “requiring plus-size passengers to be accommodated for free or reimbursement.”
@jaebaeofficial As a plus size traveler, I know firsthand how uncomfortable and unsafe it can be to squeeze into a tiny airplane seat. That’s why I believe that every plus size traveler should have access to a free second or even third seat on an airplane if needed. This isn’t about asking for special treatment or luxury accommodations. It’s simply about ensuring that all travelers have enough space to travel comfortably and safely, without fear of being discriminated against because of their size. I’m not alone in this opinion – many people agree that plane seats are too small even for the average person. By signing my petition and sharing it with your friends and family, you can help us work towards a more inclusive and accommodating air travel experience for everyone. Let’s stand together and make some real change in the industry. To sign the petition check out the link in my b!0. You can also find the petition at change.org/plussizetravel #plussizetravel #plussizetraveltok #travelingwhilefat #flyingwhilefat #fattravel #accessibilityforall #inclusivitymatters #bodyequalityintravel #inclusivetravel #fyp ♬ Beautiful
Cheney claimed that she and her partner “were subjected to hateful comments, disapproving looks and even refusal to sit next to them.”
Cheney also requested that the FAA mandate all new airplanes have at least one wheelchair accessible restroom to “promote a more inclusive and accommodating travel experience.”
Only 20,000 people signed the petition since its publishing in April.
She also requested that the industry become more “standardized,” asking airlines to publish how-to guides, giving plus-size people step-by-step instructions on their procedures.
Cheney cited Canadian policies on plus-size travelers, which prohibited airlines from charging larger passengers for multiple seats in 2008, despite the fact that they take up more space and resources. Australia also implemented similar laws for domestic flights.
Nonprofit organization Flyers Rights petitioned the FAA in 2022, demanding the governmental organization update the regulations surrounding seat size for airlines—which has decreased from 18.5 inches to 17 inches in the last 20 years.
The US appeals court struck the measure down earlier this year.
