PLANE RUDE

I’m a plus size traveller and people tell me to buy TWO seats on a plane

A WOMAN has shared the “struggle” of travelling by airplane as a plus size person - with some people claiming she should pay for two seats.

Kirsty Leanne, 29, from Shropshire, shared a video of herself on an airplane with the tray table unable to full extend and the seatbelt tight against her stomach.

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A woman has revealed the struggle of travelling while being plus sizeCredit: Jam Press
, is a passionate traveller – but says the experience is less than comfortable for larger people.

She told Jam Press: “I travel regularly and flying is definitely one of the most stressful parts of travelling while fat.

“Choosing a comfortable seat, asking for a seatbelt extender, tray tables not going down, small bathrooms are all things we have to worry about when we travel and so I wanted to show people that they're not alone.”

In the TikTok video, Kirsty can be seen boarding a plane before sitting down and showing the seatbelt tight against her stomach, while the tray table isn’t able to come fully down – captioning the post “emotional damage”.

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The clip was viewed more than one million times and racked up 42,000 likes, but divided users.

Some were on her side, with one person saying: “These comments aren’t it, everyone should feel comfortable traveling.”

Someone else added: “These comments are NOT IT. I’m a flight attendant and it is definitely up to the airline to work with you to find a solution.”

“Anyone commenting about her weight needs to educate themselves. It's the airlines responsibility to provide equitable service,” another person wrote.

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However, others argued that airplanes shouldn’t have to accommodate her - one user said: “When I was a bigger gal I bought an extra seat.” [sic]

“Doesn’t make sense for airlines to make seats bigger, they then lose seats and therefor money,” someone argued.

“Really not fair to others to take up 1 and a half seats. Buy 2 seats or don’t fly,” added another user.

Some people said airline seats had been shrinking over the years, and that others also struggled to fit.

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One person said: “People saying it’s her fault like airlines haven’t been shrinking seats for the last 20 years. I’m 6’3” and I barely fit in coach.”

Someone else agreed: “Honestly I feel like we could all benefit from bigger seats and more leg room.”

Kirsty believes adjustments could help many people – regardless of weight.

She said: “I don't think my size is relevant as I think this applies to people of a range of different sizes.

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“A number of seats that are catered towards bigger sizes would be beneficial to so many people – pregnant people, tall people, body builders – but I understand there are often difficulties around this.

“There are also a lot of comments about buying a second seat or booking first class and while I recognise that this is a great solution, it's not viable for everyone as airfare is already very expensive.”

Back in 2019, a man sparked debate after he charged an obese plane passenger £100 for taking up some of his seat on a flight.

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Some people were on her side, while others said she should buy two seatsCredit: Jam Press
She has her own website sharing the problems she often runs intoCredit: Jam Press
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