A plus-size empowerment coach has hit out at airlines for their small seats and toilets.
Meg Goldberger, 24, blasted airlines for the lack of accommodations they make for plus-size passengers and demanded that she be offered business or first-class upgrades when seats were available.
The Cardiff native - who weighs 280lbs - went on to recount her own experience of fat-phobia during flights, which she has experienced from both fellow passengers and airline staff.
"I want airlines to offer us business or first class upgrades for free if there are empty seats," Goldberger said in an interview with The Sun.
"I won’t pay for it but it means we get access to bigger toilets and bigger seats," she continued, adding the upgrade was necessary because: "It makes flying more comfortable for me."
"I weigh the same as Olympic bodybuilders or weight lifters. They get free upgrades so should I. It’s only fair we get bigger seats and safe spaces," she argued.
Elsewhere in the interview, Goldberger highlighted how it isn't just physical discomfort she has to endure on planes, but the emotional trauma of her fellow passengers mocking her.
On a recent flight to Dubai, she claims people called her a "fat cow" and told her she belonged in the cargo hold while she was walking down the cabin aisle.
"We suffer long-term trauma or PTSD from in-flight fat shaming," she said.
Meanwhile, it wasn't just other passengers that Goldberger claimed she faced discrimination from.
She detailed how on a recent flight she also had to contend with fat-phobia from airline staff, who she had to repeatedly ask for a seat-belt extender. When they eventually brought her one, she claims she was given no instructions and had to work out how to use it by herself.
"I was terrified to ask for one and couldn't find any information about seat size, tray table reach or plus size assistance and support on the airline's website," the embodiment coach explained.
"Plus size people should not have to endure bullying and fat shaming on planes," she added.