A plus-size influencer has 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.
She titled her petition: "Demand for the FAA to Protect Plus-Size Travelers", and explains in the description: "During a flight from Pasco to Denver, my fiancé was subjected to hateful comments, disapproving looks, and even refusal to sit next to them, amounting to discrimination. Similarly, on another flight, I was forced to occupy only one seat with immovable armrests that caused me pain and bruises."
She continues: "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.
"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."
Chaney now wants the FAA to ensure that all airlines introduce and enforce a "clear customer-of-size policy that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of all passengers".
Listing her expectations, she states that airlines should "provide accessible additional seats" for plus-size passengers - with larger flyers being "provided with an extra free seat, or even two or three seats depending on their size" in order to ensure they are comfortable throughout the flight.
Additionally, she 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.
Chaney is also calling on airlines to "provide additional airport assistance to plus-size travelers if necessary", which would include "wheelchair assistance, priority boarding, larger bathrooms, seat belt extenders, and alternative seating arrangements."
All new airplanes should also include at least one wheelchair-accessible restroom, according to the petition.
Finally, she believes all airline employees should be trained in how to accommodate for plus-size travelers, which would cover the "handling sensitive situations and providing appropriate customer service."
As of this writing, Chaney's petition has received more than 4,000 signatures from supporters, with one person commenting: "We deserve a world that is built to our bodies not to corporate profits."
You can sign Chaney's petition here.
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