All articles tagged with #plus size travelers
Southwest Airlines will require passengers who encroach on neighboring seats to buy an extra ticket starting January 27, 2026, replacing their previous flexible options, which may impact plus-size travelers and loyal customers.
Southwest Airlines' "customer of size" policy, which allows passengers to purchase additional seats and receive a refund after travel, is gaining attention on TikTok and in the media. The policy, in place for over 30 years, aims to accommodate passengers who don't fit comfortably in narrow airline seats. Plus-size travel expert Jae'lynn Chaney has started a petition calling for a federal mandate requiring all airlines to have comprehensive customer-of-size policies. While some airlines have similar policies, Chaney wants to see more inclusivity and transparency across the industry.
A growing market catering to size-inclusive travel is seeking to bring joy, community, and reassurance to people in bigger bodies at price points on par with standard group trips. The benefits of going on a size-inclusive trip are multilayered, emotionally, a traveler knows straightaway that her peers have also chosen a trip designed around body acceptance. Logistically, it means everything has been planned with accessibility in mind, like dinners at restaurants with chairs that are spacious, supportive, and comfortable.
Plus-size travelers are calling for standardized airline policies that prioritize their comfort and well-being. Policies around plus-size travelers vary from airline to airline, with some requiring larger passengers to purchase an additional seat. Plus-size travel influencer Jae’lynn Chaney launched a petition urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate all airlines for a comprehensive customer-of-size policy. Canadian air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs views the practice of charging larger passengers for two seats as a human rights issue. The width of the average seat has shrunk from 18.5 to 17 inches over the past two decades, while around 38% of the world population are overweight or obese.