A plus-size woman has revealed she gets fat shamed on flights and has had people refuse to sit next to her.
Kirsty Leanne, 30, from Shropshire, regularly shares travel advice for larger people and has built up a following of 129,000 people on her TikTok @kirstyleannetravels.
She previously made headlines after revealing the trolling she receives online – with critics insisting she should lose weight rather than complain about the issues she faces travelling as a plus-sized person.
While much of the criticism she receives is online, Kirsty shared some upsetting experiences she’s had in real life.
One such encounter was on a flight to Spain, where the travel buff was in the window seat, and another woman was assigned the middle seat on her aisle.
‘When she saw me sat in the window, she instantly made it clear she didn’t want to sit there and started huffing and puffing,’ Kirsty, who shares her tips on her blog, Plus Size Travel Too, said.
‘I apologised that there wasn’t much room and she didn’t reply, so I did my usual and squashed myself against the window.
‘For the whole flight she was pushing the armrest as far down as she could – it was 98 percent down but that last 2 percent was super painful – and causing me to bruise.
‘Eventually, she turned to her friend a few rows back [and said], “I can’t sit next to her anymore”.
‘I pretended I didn’t hear but I wanted the ground to swallow me up.’
Kirsty found the experience incredibly awkward and chose to stay silent at the time, but says she will no longer let it slide.
She said: ‘I tend to ask flight attendants if I can move to a seat with more room and an extra seat next to it now, to help prevent this from happening and to ensure everyone is as comfortable as they can be.
‘Often I do have to sit next to people while they find me a seat so I do my best to be kind and understanding, in the hopes they return with the same sentiments.’
The traveller also says she can often tell when someone isn’t pleased to be seated near her.
She added: ‘People usually make it known they’re unhappy pretty instantly.
‘Most people are super friendly and understanding, but some people use it as an excuse to be mean and to lash out.
‘While I understand it’s uncomfortable, acting in that way is unnecessary and likely to be the worst way to come to a solution.’
Kirsty shared the experience with her followers in a TikTok that garnered thousands of likes and comments – where many viewers defended the passenger.
One user said: ‘I get what you’re saying but the seats aren’t “a little small”. I’m failing to see how this isn’t your fault.’
Kirsty shared the experience with her followers in a TikTok that garnered thousands of likes and comments – where many viewers defended the passenger
‘There should be a size limit after which it should be compulsory to book two seats – otherwise it’s just not fair on the person next to you,’ another viewer agreed.
Someone else commented: ‘Can’t blame the other lady.’
But other viewers were more sympathetic to Kirsty.
One said: ‘You shouldn’t have to apologise for existing!!!!!’
‘For those saying it’s her fault – EVEN IF IT WAS – what is she meant to do in that very moment? Making her feel worthless doesn’t get you more space,’ another viewer said.
Someone else added: ‘We are all built differently and if someone can’t be civil and friendly for a few hours then I feel sorry for humanity. You are an inspiration.’