Who Is Jaelynn Chaney?
Even before this story started making headlines, Jaelynn Chaney was well-known in the influencer community as an advocate for plus-sized bodies.
Source: @jaebaeofficial/TikTok
On her TikTok, she has always shared her life experience as a bigger-bodied person, but now, she’s made a call to action.
Jaelynn Asks for the Travel Industry to Be More Accepting
Jaelynn’s first request is that airlines change the way they sell seats for those who have larger than average bodies.
Source: @jaebaeofficial/TikTok
She believes that flying in coach should be “comfortable and accessible for anyone” and that “all plus-size passengers should be provided with an extra free seat, or even two or three seats depending on their size, to accommodate their needs.”
How Would This Plan Actually Work?
Chaney understands that there would need to be a change in ticket price in order to make her plan a reality.
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She thinks that the best plan is for all ticket prices to be raised across the board. But she also argues that the general response to bigger-bodied people needs to be better.
Jaelynn Claims She’s Been Discriminated Against on Recent Plane Rides
Jaelynn explained to her viewers, “During a flight from Pasco to Denver, my fiancé was subjected to hateful comments, disapproving looks, and even refusal to sit next to them, amounting to discrimination.”
Source: @jaebaeofficial/TikTok
And she continued, “Similarly, on another flight, I was forced to occupy only one seat with immovable armrests that caused me pain and bruises.”
The Truth Is That Most People Are Uncomfortable in Airline Seats
While Jaelynn is speaking directly to the experience of bigger-bodied people on airplanes, the truth is that the majority of people are displeased with how small airline seats are these days.
Source: @jaebaeofficial/TikTok
Jaelynn shared several statistics including the fact that one in every six people find airplane seats too small for safety and comfort, and one in 16 people report that airlines are actually painful to sit in.
Jaelynn’s Call to Action for All Airlines
Jaelynn also said, “This mistreatment of plus-size passengers is unacceptable, and it highlights the urgent need for better policies that protect the dignity and rights of all passengers, regardless of size.”
Source: @jaebaeofficial/TikTok
So she wants real change to be ignited across the travel industry and airlines, and has started a petition that now 4,300 people have signed.
Jaelynn Is Now Calling Out Hotels Too
In addition to her petition for airlines to make real and lasting change, Jaelynn is also calling out the hotel industry.
Source: Horacio Villalobos/Corbis/Getty Images
She explained that many hotels are not plus-size friendly, and asked that they make adjustments including stronger beds, inclusive bathrobes, plus-size towels, handrails on pools, and sturdy lounge chairs.
Hotel Bathrooms Are a Real Problem
In addition to all the above requests, Jaelynn also claims that hotel bathrooms are a real problem for plus-size bodies.
Source: Kitchen & Bath Classics
She states that all bathrooms should have handheld shower heads, as well as larger and higher toilet seats for all bodies to feel comfortable using the bathroom while traveling.
Many Hotel Elevators Are Not Inclusive for Plus-Size Bodies
Another argument that Jaelynn has made is that many hotel elevators are not inclusive for all bodies.
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However, many are reporting that it is a huge undertaking for hotels and many of them cannot change the size of their elevators without spending an extreme amount of money.
Overall, People Seem to Be Supporting Jaeylnn’s Cause
While there are certainly some people who do not agree with Jaelynn’s arguments, the majority of people seem to support her and her petition.
Source: @jaebaeofficial/TikTok
One TikTok user wrote, “’I agree this is ideal, but some of these are out of the hotel’s control. Lift size, for example,” and another wrote “I’m backing you 100 percent.”
The Petition Is Gaining Traction
As well as going viral on the internet, Jaelynn’s petition is actually gaining real traction.
Source: @jaebaeofficial/TikTok
There are currently more than 4,000 signatures, and more every day, who believe that the travel industry absolutely needs to make real and lasting change to be more inclusive to all bodies.