A plus-sized traveler has been criticized on TikTok – for simply sharing a tip with larger-bodied fellows about where to sit on planes.
Kirsty Leanne, 29, from Shropshire, regularly posts curvy travel tips and has a following of 85,900 people on TikTok (@kirstyleannetravels).
In a recent video, she outlined a “common mistake as a curvier traveler,” advising viewers to avoid sitting in the emergency exit row seats if they need a seatbelt extender.
Although according to TikTokker these seats offer more space and are therefore more comfortable, the extender would be considered a tripping hazard and is therefore not allowed in these rows.
In the clip, Kirsty walks down the aisle of an airplane as she chooses her seat and says, “While it may be tempting because there’s a lot more room, don’t book an exit row.” [seat] if you think you need a belt extender.
Kirsty Leanne (pictured) regularly shares travel tips on how to navigate transportation as a person in a larger body with her 86,000 followers
“Unfortunately, most if not all airlines don’t allow you to sit there if you need one.”
The post went viral with four million views, 75,000 likes and thousands of comments – most of which seem to be very negative and criticize Kirsty for sharing plus size tips.
Kevin Kevin Kevin “If only there was an easier solution to these problems.”
“Maybe I won’t eat chips today,” Ben remarked.
User Tom moaned, “But I’ll pay if my luggage is 1 kg heavier.”
‘Book 2 Places!’ another person insisted.
Someone else said, “Avoid traveling altogether.”
“Be fuming sat next to you,” said another troll.
The plus size blogger faced cruel fat phobic comments after she shared her video on TikTok
Some people took to the comments section of the video to leave nasty messages, like this person referring to Kristy’s mate
“That should be a wake-up call,” someone else said.
But other viewers defended Kirsty,
One said, “As a flight attendant, their comments didn’t pass the vibe check. Your size doesn’t determine your worth and we like having everyone on board.”
“Thanks for sharing your tips!” Charlotte said.
“You definitely don’t deserve so much hate for a travel tip,” another user commented.
Other commenters also shared mean comments, suggesting that Kristy avoid traveling, with one saying they would hate to sit next to her, but others were kinder
Fortunately, Kirsty won’t let the hate stop her from sharing her advice.
“Whenever I post content about flying with a plus size, I always get the same comments: ‘Why don’t you just lose weight?’ “Isn’t this a wake-up call?”, “You should be so ashamed,” Kirsty, who shares tips on her blog, PlusSizeTravelToosaid.
However, the truth is that fat people exist and will always exist.
“We have as much right to travel as anyone else and we deserve to be safe and comfortable while we travel. Seatbelt extenders, of course, help keep us safe.
Despite the cruel feedback, Kristy isn’t deterred when it comes to sharing her content online, pointing out that ‘fat people exist and always will exist’
Kristy added that traveling as a person with a buddy can be more “daunting and overwhelming,” so she shares tips to “show people who are like me that it’s possible.”
‘I share a lot of content about seatbelt extenders, but I know that many people don’t know that you often can’t use one at an emergency exit.
“I get a lot of questions about this, so I wanted to share a video to let people know because I know a lot of people have gone through this after boarding and have been moved by it.
“Traveling as a plus-size person can be incredibly daunting and overwhelming, so I wanted to show people like me that it’s possible.
“My life changed when I started traveling and after telling myself for so long that I was too fat to travel, I realized I didn’t want anyone else to put off traveling like I did.
“If my tips and tricks only help one person, it’s well done.”