Plus-Sized Travel Advocate Demands Wider Hallways In Hotels And Larger Elevators

Back in April, Jaelynn Chaney started a petition demanding additional free seats for plus-sized passengers which, she acknowledged, would mean that everyone else would have to pay more to accommodate her.

Now she’s back with demands for hotels. She wants wider hallways; larger elevators; and retrofits to bathroom toilet seat, shower heads, and sturdier beds. And she thinks it’s discriminatory for hotels not to stock bathrobes up to size 6XL.

  • Airlines offer the option for passengers to buy extra seats if they cannot fit into just one.

  • There’s a broad model in disability accommodation law that the expense burden should fall on a business and not an individual. So there’s at least an argument to be made to extend that model.

  • With hotels, though, their hallways, elevators and showers are usually larger than an airline seat?
@jaebaeofficial Embracing Inclusivity in Hospitality Creating a space where every guest feels valued and comfortable is essential. Size-inclusive hotel amenities are more than just accommodations – they're a statement of respect for diverse needs and body types. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ From spacious chairs to thoughtful bathroom facilities, every detail matters. Elevators, pool areas, and dining spaces should be designed to ensure ease of movement and relaxation. Let's make travel truly accessible and welcoming for travelers of all sizes and abilities. ⁣⁣ •⁣⁣ •⁣⁣ •⁣⁣ #InclusiveHospitality #TravelWithComfort #RespectAndDiversity #PlusSizeTravel #PlusSizeFriendly #InclusiveTravel #AccessibleTravel #SizeFriendly #TravelInclusivity #Fyp ♬ Good Vibes – Rerewrpd

It’s great that people can speak up and advocate for themselves. I’m not so sure that passengers who prefer not to sit next to someone that protrudes into their seat should be shamed for it, nor should airlines be required to widen their aisles to accommodate large passengers. That would take away from seat space. Tradeoffs!

United Airlines might generate $80 million per year in fuel savings if everyone took Ozempic but it seems like potential savings in capital costs are even greater for hotels if they don’t have to retrofit their hallways and elevators and buy new beds?

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. BULLS***! Fly privately, rent a C-17 or C-5, use a forklift. Not the airline, hotel or other businesses to cater to this small minority…UNLESS THEY CHOOSE TO! I was on an airline 757 flight where the window and middle seats were occupied by “plus sized” people. The person who was unlucky enough to have the aisle seat couldn’t fit. The airline allowed him to move to a later flight with a guaranteed upgrade to first class.

  2. @Jennifer P and @Retired Lawyer

    Thank you for your comments.

    It’s sad that so many have never outgrown their bullying phase. Or maybe, this is the only way they get to be the bully so they take advantage. Nearly every other comment here is quite gross and reflect the person behind the keyboard, and is a perfect illustration of why our society is fraying, because we have lost all empathy. Even if some are posting in jest, or being mean to troll, consider what that indicates about that person. I hope you all find peace.

  3. being fat is not a disability. I you want to mail a grand piano by united postal service you can not put it into a #10 envelope and pay 63 cents for it.

  4. There simply is no reason to do so; though. It’s nothing short of entitlement that someone like that thinks they deserve free upgrades for their own choices which they can control. If this is the case then it would stand to reason that airlines should compensate healthy/beautiful people with some upgrade as well but of course that will be lamented. Suppose airlines do bow down to these demands/threats; then they’ll have to raise airfares for everybody else and customers will go elsewhere. Also it’s incredible someone could be 400 lbs. at zero extra charge meanwhile you can weigh 140 lbs. and have your luggage denied because it weighs more than 65 lbs. The irony and insanity.

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