Amid the renewed attention on the issue, plus-size travel influencer Jaelynn Chaney—who often advocates for “fat liberation”—entered the conversation. Chaney, a 28-year-old from Washington state, has been outspoken about her belief that larger passengers should be entitled to free extra seating space and has frequently pushed back against critics calling her demands unreasonable.
“I’m not luggage,” Chaney said in a TikTok video, responding to suggestions she should be charged by body weight. “People saying I should lose weight or just buy a first-class ticket are missing the point. The issue isn’t me—it’s the system.”
Chaney is now calling for federal legislation, including a “Fat Equality Bill of Rights,” to ensure fair and accessible air travel for all body types.
As debate rages on, the question remains: should the burden fall on individuals to adjust—or is it time for the airline industry to make some serious changes?
