Traveling can become a very unpleasant experience for many plus-size people, mainly in the Economy class of planes. Recently, a TikTok user shared a video showing moments before the flight took off.
Kayla Logan, from Toronto, shared a TikTok video saying that the Air Canada aircraft seating was very uncomfortable for her. The video was filmed during her flight from San Diego to Toronto and has gone viral.
“I had to sit with half my body in the aisle for the 5hr flight. It was painful to say the least. We shouldn’t have to buy business class just to have equal access to seats that fit on flights,” said Logan in the video. “I’m a fat woman traveling, And this is the seat right no”
She emphasized that she had to squeeze into the small space for the five-hour journey, adding that her intention was to raise awareness of what she says is a common problem.
“I do have this issue on most flights,” Logan told Newsweek. “I want to share that plus-size bodies deserve access, accommodations, respect and dignity when traveling.”
“I know there are a lot of plus-size people who are fearful of flying because of fatphobia. They’re worried about not fitting into the seat, the seat belt not fitting, needing a seatbelt extender, and honestly sitting next to someone who is cruel to them, just because they’re fat.”
A spokesperson for Air Canada told Newsweek: “We make every effort to be responsive to all our customers’ special needs, and we encourage them to contact our Medical Desk before they travel to see what accommodations are available.
“For customers who require extra seating room, we do offer a second seat at no charge for flights within Canada and with no additional fees on international flights. As well, customers have the option of purchasing a larger Premium Economy or Business Class seat on flights where these cabins are available.”
Logan’s video gained more than two million views. Tiktok users commented on the issue, prompting a heated discussion on the platform.
“Ok but the person in the seat next to you has literally nothing to do with you existing, so why is it their fault. why don’t they deserve comfort too,” one user said.
“Seats should be bigger because they’ve reduced their size in order to cram more people in a plane. However, they are not. So buy 2 seats,” another user commented.
“If you’re encroaching into someone else’s seat, you should buy two seats. Everyone deserves to be comfortable,” read one reply, while another viewer wrote: “It’s unfair if you’re taking up half of my seat that I paid for. I get squished and it’s uncomfortable for both of us. Buy two seats.”
Logan also received some support from other users: “Seats should be bigger! I don’t know why that makes everyone so mad. We would all benefit from it too. Ridiculous to tell someone to buy 2 seats!
