When a picture of a traveler goes viral, everyone says the same thing

An intense internet debate has been triggered by a recent photo of a plus-sized traveler trying to squeeze into a small aircraft seat, leading many to wonder if the airline industry should reconsider how it handles seating.

Christopher Elliott, a consumer advocate from Washington, D.C., was the first to post the contentious image, which depicts a passenger on a flight from Helsinki to Copenhagen straining to fit into his designated seat. In September 2024, he uploaded the picture to his Facebook page, and the Miami-based hip-hop trio Pretty Ricky later reposted it.

Known for their 2000s hit song “Grind with Me,” Pretty Ricky shared the picture along with a request that airlines adapt to accommodate heavier passengers. Airlines will need to have a plan in place for customers who are larger than average, they noted. This recent airplane photo illustrates the challenges faced by passengers who are larger than one seat.

It’s challenging for the people seated next to them as well. The airline must find a happy medium, which makes it a challenging issue.

The post provoked a contentious discussion and soon received thousands of comments, many of which suggested that larger customers should be charged for two seats if they are unable to fit in one. Reactions to the post were swift and varied, ranging from scathing criticism to support.

Some claimed that travelers should be obliged to pay for two seats if they are unable to fit into one. As many others have said, one commenter put it bluntly: “If you’re using two seats, you should be paying for two.” “Why should width be treated any differently when tall passengers pay more for legroom?” another person added.

“Easily solved, if you are this large, you need to buy two seats OR they should make oversized seats for people like this and charge them extra for the larger seat,” another user proposed. It’s that simple. The bulk of huge people are enormous for personal reasons rather than medical ones.

And those individual decisions have consequences. “Those who purchase one seat shouldn’t have to give half of it to someone spilling into their seat,” a third commenter remarked. They ought to pay at least half. “Being largely overweight is a choice 99 percent of the time,” said another, who is currently 90 pounds lighter.

Many others, however, opposed this notion and drew attention to the fact that airline seats are getting smaller. In an effort to fit more people on board, airlines have been reducing seat sizes for years. One commenter noted that everyone is affected by the lack of comfort, not only those who are plus-sized.

When plus-size travel influencer Jaelynn Chaney, who is well-known for supporting “fat liberation,” entered the discussion, it took a more intimate turn. Forcing people to alter their bodies to fit into airline seats is not the answer, according to Chaney, a 28-year-old who regularly advocates for larger travelers. In a TikTok video, she questioned, “Why should I have to shrink myself to fit into spaces never designed for me?” “The system is the problem, not me.”

Chaney, who has advocated for complimentary additional seats for larger travelers, also addressed others who suggested she should just buy a first-class ticket. “I still can’t get a seat in first class,” she stated. “Flying is a necessity, not a luxury.” Some are even advocating for government legislation, such as a “Fat Equality Bill of Rights,” to ensure equitable and accessible air travel for people of all body types while the debate continues.

Others propose that, similar to luggage, passengers should be weighed before boarding; nevertheless, this concept has been universally denounced as “inhumane.” As the argument heats up, the question still stands: Should airlines change their seating policies on a structural basis, or should passengers make the necessary adjustments? What are your thoughts?