One of the best parts of flying in business class or another premium cabin is having extra room to stretch out. Although I am not a huge person, it is always nice to be able to stretch out, especially on longer or overnight flights. There’s no denying that if you are a larger individual that flying can be challenging.
Passengers Of Size Starting Online Petition
Jae’lynn Chaney, a plus-size traveler and online travel advocate has started an online petition saying that the FAA should mandate that all airlines have a comprehensive customer-of-size policy that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of ALL passengers.
The petition continues that the policy must have clear and inclusive guidelines on accommodating customers of size, including plus size individuals, individuals with disabilities, tall individuals, and anyone who needs more space to be comfortable while flying. The policy should also provide alternative seating arrangements, larger seats, and other size-accessible accommodations to ensure that all passengers can have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable flying experience, while also being considerate of their fellow passengers.
Airlines’ Passenger Of Size Policies
I first read about this over on CNN, where they talk a bit more about the different policies that airlines have, and the difference in policies is quite wide. For example, United’s plus-size traveler policy says you have to buy an extra seat if you can’t “properly attach, buckle and wear the seat belt, with one extension if necessary”, stay seated with the armrests down or if you “significantly encroach upon the adjacent seating space.” On the other hand, in Canada, obesity is recognized as a disability and Canadian airlines are forbidden from charging for an additional seat for a plus-sized traveler.
Personally, I can see a few sides to this discussion. It’s really not as simple as “maybe they should lose weight”. That is a very simplistic view (shared by many) that really isn’t going to solve problems. On the other hand, it was a flight where I was seated in the window next to two very large individuals that got me to switch to always booking the aisle. I do think that it’s reasonable that airlines have a published passenger of size policy and that is consistently enforced. Right now, it’s a bit hit or miss depending on the airline and the experience (or mood!) of the flight attendant on the flight.
The Bottom Line
Jae’lynn Chaney, a plus-size traveler and online travel advocate has started an online petition saying that the FAA should mandate that all airlines have a comprehensive customer-of-size policy that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of ALL passengers.
What do you think of this petition? Leave your thoughts in the comments
This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as thepointsguy.com. This may impact how and where links appear on this site. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers and that compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners and I do not include all card companies, or all available card offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers and other offers and benefits listed on this page. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Other links on this page may also pay me a commission - as always, thanks for your support if you use them
User Generated Content Disclosure: Points With a Crew encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.
Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
They can purchase a business class seat as generations of previous travellers did
Should anyone with a disability fly at no extra cost? What happens if you are in a coma and on a ventilator with medical attendants? No extra cost air ambulance? What is the line in the sand?
If you need extra room, you should buy it. A Boeing 777 might have 9 across, 8 across and 4 across seating. You pay for what you want.
Maybe make the 737 4 across, 5 across, and 6 across then pay for what you want.
If one person gets a larger seat at to extra charge, then everyone should get the same.
Most grocery store delis sell meats, seafood, salads, etc. by the pound (weight). Freight companies including FedEx, UPS, etc. charge based on the dimensions and weight of the package(s) being shipped.
Maybe airlines should start doing the same. Prior to every flight, every passenger should step on a scale with all of their luggage and carry-ons.
This is a joke. Her fault for being fat.
What about, rather than asking everyone else to subsidise her travel, she just goes on a diet???
Have you no heart? If the airlines were truly compassionate they would provide seats that had 36 inches of elbow room on either side and 45 inches of leg room for disadvantaged big and tall passengers. Such seats could easily take the unused space from the fuselage to the winglets. The other passengers would enjoy the whale watching experience.
No joke … airlines and hotels need to make the proper accommodations for plus sized people.
The airlines discriminate against me when I only get 1 bag is chips and 1 soda! Since the airlines will need to redesign the lavatories too, I want a stand up urinal. My rights are being trampled!
How about fight the urge to eat 6 burgers.
I hold my breath when I see a “jumbo size”passenger walking down the isle towards me…..I have seen these very large people in exit isle seats….very scary because I know that they would never make it out of a widow exit.
(In Canada you can identify as almost you want). I now will fly out of Canada and identify as a 400 pound man that needs all 3 seats. My disability requires me to be able to stretch out. Even if it means others will be inconvenienced by this. Even though the airline will loose money.
Put down the fork and control your size. Excuses don’t apply. If you can’t/won’t do that , then don’t fly.
Keep up the good work, Jaelynn. We people of size support you 100%!