Woman Petitions Airlines To Give Free Extra Seat To Plus-Size Passengers Like Her For Comfortable Flying
Apr 25, 2023 by apost team
When someone flies via airplane, comfort is one of the most crucial things that a passenger take into consideration before booking their tickets. Unfortunately, some people might experience things that are beyond anyone’s control. But more than comfort or luxury, every passenger has the right to fly safely – and every airline should give utmost importance to providing the best kind of service when it comes to safety.
As for plus-size travel and lifestyle content creator Jaelyn Chaney, she has been wrestling with the unfair ordeal of booking the adjacent seat in her flights just to sit her whole body in an airplane. In an Instagram post, she detailed the unfortunate encounters she had in the past when people learned about her predicament.
“People ask me if I purchase two seats when flying: They say it's not fair to the person who has to sit next time if I don't. When I tell them I do, they say I am selfish for taking a seat from another,” she said in the video. “The fact of the matter is that people can't stand to see fat people happy. So why should we care what they think?”
Chaney, who also has a plus-size boyfriend, usually accompanies her on all of her flights. In another video, she also revealed that most of the time, they book two seats in a row or book the whole row to accommodate them, depending on the airline.
As a vlogger, Chaney posts instructional videos on how plus-size persons like her use a seat belt extender and even as to how they book extra seats online without the hassle of going through a lengthy process.
But more than just her video, Chaney is leading the change to institutionalize a comprehensive policy that could benefit all customers of all sizes.
In a Change.org petition, Chaney demanded the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) protect plus-size travelers like her by instituting a comprehensive “customer-of size policy” for all airports across the United States.
According to Chaney’s petition, the FAA should mandate all airlines to have a policy that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of all passengers, regardless of their disability and size. The said policy should contain “clear and inclusive” guidelines to accommodate everyone with the comfort they need while flying.
From adding more accessible seats, clear reimbursement and communication guidelines, sensitive employee training, and even wheelchair-accessible restrooms, Chaney’s petition is a reflection of the discrimination and sense of unsafety they have felt on their previous flights.
Chaney’s petition also demanded to give customer-of-sizes the accommodations of free seats or even a row to accommodate their comfort in flying.
“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,” she wrote in the said petition. “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.”
She has also called out the mistreatment and discrimination of customer-of-size during Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screenings in addition to the lack of accessibility extended to them. She implored the agency to train agents in respectfully interacting with customers and implement clear guidelines for executing such.
Chaney’s petition has already amassed more than 8,000 signatures, under 2,000 signatures short of achieving its goal of getting a reaction from the agencies. Although she confessed to not knowing who would foot the bill to institutionalize these changes, she believed that the costs would be “worth it.”
apost.com
What can you say about Jaelyn Chaney’s problem? Do you think customer-of-sizes should be given free seats? Do you think having a comprehensive customer-of-sizes policy would be beneficial? Let us know, and pass this on to someone who you think would want to read this.