Size matters: a discussion about passenger comfort on airplanes (7 photos + 1 video)

There has been a heated debate on social media recently about passenger comfort on planes, especially for larger passengers. It all started with a post by traveler Christopher Elliott, who shared a photo of a plus-size passenger on his flight from Helsinki to Copenhagen.





In his post, Elliott wrote that he felt sorry for both the larger passenger and the person sitting next to him in the middle seat, as both must have been very uncomfortable on the short flight. His post sparked a heated backlash on social media, with opinions divided.



Some users suggested that larger passengers should pay for extra seats to give them more space. One commenter recalled how his travel manager, who was a “kind and caring person,” always booked two seats because of his size, saying, “I could do something about my weight, but I like my food too much, so why should I make others suffer the discomfort of that choice?”





Other users suggested that if someone that size had to squeeze into their space, they would have asked the airline to move them. One commenter, who is 6'11" and 200 pounds, noted that he felt "pretty average" and was already cramped, so "this nice gentleman may have to pay for a bigger seat."



In response to the debate, Norwegian Airlines encouraged passengers who require extra space to book extra seats. They noted that while they do not have a strict requirement to purchase extra seats, they always ensure the safety of passengers.



Elliott, commenting on his post, said he believes it is time for an honest conversation about the size of airplane seats, which are simply too small for most passengers. He stressed that this could become a safety issue in the future.

The discussion highlighted the difficult situation facing airlines and passengers of all sizes, and it’s clear that a more balanced approach is needed that takes into account the comfort and needs of all travelers.



The issue was recently brought up again by popular traveler Jae’lynn Chaney, who slammed Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in a viral TikTok video in May.

In her video, Jae’lynn, 27, who describes herself as a “plus-size wheelchair user,” said that she asked for assistance with her wheelchair when boarding the plane, as usual. However, she said the airport employee who was supposed to help her pointedly ignored her and walked away.

Jae'lynn ended up having to "walk up one of the longest bridges I've ever been on," and by the time she was allowed to sit down, her lips had turned white because her "oxygen levels had dropped." She added that she "almost fainted, it was my first flight without oxygen."



Jae'lynn said incidents like these are examples of why airports need to train employees on empathy and compassion. The demand was outlined in a plus-size travel petition she created last year.

The petition, which has so far garnered 39,324 signatures out of a goal of 50,000, details the experiences of Jae'lynn and her fiancé Ard, who is also plus-size, and the discrimination they've suffered while flying. The petition says that on a flight from Pasco, Washington, to Denver, Colorado, Ard was subjected to dirty looks and comments, and people refused to sit next to him. "And I was forced to sit on one flight with only one seat with fixed armrests that left me sore and bruised," Jae'lynn wrote.

"I think it's discrimination not to make wider aisles on planes in 2023," says traveler