An influencer has taken to TikTok where she has stated that it is "discrimination" if airplane aisles aren't appropriately sized for plus-sized travelers.
Getting on a plane can be stressful at the best of times, especially after battling through the airport which is usually a pretty hectic affair.
Unless you're paying a bit extra for your seats on the plane, it can be tricky to get comfortable - but being a plus-sized traveler can cause additional difficulties and discomforts.
A TikToker who goes by the name Big Curvy Olivia (@olivimbpp0t) recently documented herself walking down the aisle of a plane where she struggled to navigate between seats.
Olivia was forced to twist her body in order to walk down the aisle, as it appeared that she was uncomfortable about not being able to get to her seat easily.
The influencer penned over the video: "Honestly, it's discrimination that they can't build wider aisles in airplanes in 2023."
People flocked to the comments to offer their thoughts, and as one person stated - it's easy to have a debate about this topic without being hateful.
One person supported Oliva by saying: "As a skinny person, I actually agree. I don’t think it’s discrimination, just annoying we’re all packed in like sardines."
A second person raised a good point about accessibility: "She is right the [aisles] are small as like come on a person on a wheelchair has [to] walk cause the wheelchair doesn’t fit. [By the way] your beautiful."
Another questioned how the airlines would generate the same amount of income with less seats. They penned: "Wider aisles mean less seats. And they would be cutting into profits to accommodate the super sized. That wouldn't make sense."
Others added comments about how difficult it can be traveling as a tall person, as legroom on a plane can be pretty hard to come by.
There are often debates online about whether plus-sized travelers should purchase two seats if they are unable to occupy one, but it feels a bit unfair for someone to have to fork out double the money because of their body.
Recently, another plus-size traveler launched a petition calling for the Federal Aviation Administration and airlines to protect larger passengers from discomfort and discrimination.
As reported by the New York Post, Washington-based influencer Jae’lynn Chaney has amassed more than 90,000 followers on Instagram after providing helpful travel advice to plus-size individuals.
However, during a recent two-hour flight from Pasco to Denver, Chaney says she was allegedly subjected to discrimination that resulted in her starting an online Change.org petition.
"No one should have to endure the discomfort, embarrassment, and discrimination that often comes with being a plus-sized passenger trying to navigate air travel," she says in an accompanying Instagram video. She adds that despite a large percentage of the population being plus-size, many airlines do not have concrete guidelines in place to assist bigger passengers.
Additionally, Jae’lynn says that a simple and accessible refund system should be in place should the passenger have to go through the process of purchasing more than one seat.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comments!