How do overweight people fly

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission. When seeking a first-class adventure, plus-size travelers are often treated like second-class citizens. Recently, globe-trotters of size on Twitter, TikTok and Instagram have made viral calls for more body-inclusive accommodations to be available on airplanes, at hotels and on destination excursions.

And for size-inclusive TikTok star Mary Fran Donnelly, 27, tight squeezes into tiny seats, ill-fitting seat belts and side-jabbing armrests are just a few of the discomforts of flying while fat. In it, she pokes fun at the limited amenities afforded to overweight travelers.

Southwest Airlines invites plus-size passengers to proactively purchase an extra seat for their comfort. The cost of the additional chair is refunded to the customer at the conclusion of their trip.

Larger passengers can also request an additional seat at the airport at no extra cost. You can book two seats next to each other and then be refunded the cost of the additional seat.

Some politicians are calling for minimum airplane seat size standards. Get to the airport as early as possible, especially if your flight is at a busy time. Monitor how full your flight is or if someone has taken the seat next to you. Turn the gate agent at the airport into your best friend. When I traveled to Paris a couple years ago, they did that for me, and I ended up having the entire aisle to myself both ways. It was like winning the flight lottery!

You may have heard about plus-size influencer Natalie Hage experiencing fatphobia from a neighboring passenger and those kinds of trying incidents do happen every so often. The worst for me was when a plus-size woman in the middle seat wanted me to move from my aisle seat. Instead of being an ally, she had the flight attendant come over to me and ask me to move. Everyone was looking at me, and I was mortified.

However, I learned a lot from that experience. Not only about my rights as a passenger , but that there is no shame in my size. I always ask the gate agent my new best friend to pre-board.

The only thing worse than getting those fearful looks from fellow passengers as you walk down the aisle is accidentally smacking them with your butt as you try to squeeze through. I usually walk onto the plane with those who also need more time boarding and am able to situate myself before the plane becomes full of passengers. It may seem small, but it has taken a lot of anxiety out of traveling for me. Plus, first access to overhead storage is not too shabby.

You can quietly ask for a seat belt extender as you board the plane. An attendant will bring it right to your seat.

Make sure all of your belongings are in overhead storage, including jackets, so that you have the most leg room possible. Obesity and economy seating are an increasingly uncomfortable fit, reports Chris Vedelago.

One person, one fare, one seat. This has been the guiding formula for air travel since the early days of commercial flight. But what happens when one person can't fit in one seat?

It's an issue airlines are having to face as more and more passengers get bigger and bigger - the practical consequences of an obesity epidemic.

The options right now? Obese travellers can choose not to fly, fly if they can fit but be uncomfortable, or pay more to get more space. It's not just about the right of obese people to fly; it's also about the comfort and welfare of other passengers. Similar obesity-related policies have been implemented by domestic and international carriers, almost industry-wide. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Fairfax Media's terms and conditions and privacy policy.

Is it fair? While the answer depends on who you ask, a recent Canadian court case has shown these policies can be discriminatory. Last November, after a six-year legal battle, Canada's domestic airlines were forced to comply with a Federal Transport Agency rule instituting a one-person, one-fare policy that would see obese passengers receive an extra seat at no extra charge. The decision hinged on a new legal definition that said an obese person may be considered disabled for the purposes of air travel if they were unable to fit in an airline seat, making it discriminatory to charge those obese passengers for an extra seat.