SEATTLE, WA — A plus-size travel influencer has gone viral after claiming she was denied wheelchair assistance at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) due to her body size, prompting widespread online discussion and renewed calls for size-inclusive travel policies.
Jaelynn Chaney, 28, who identifies as a 6XL content creator, shared her experience with her 140,000+ TikTok followers, alleging that an airport employee refused to assist her after realizing she would need to push Chaney’s wheelchair up the jet bridge.
“I was denied wheelchair assistance at SeaTac because of my body size,” Chaney said in a video that has now garnered over 256,000 views.
What Happened?
The incident occurred during a May 2024 flight, when Chaney requested her usual wheelchair assistance—a service she says she uses regularly due to mobility issues and breathing concerns, especially when flying without oxygen support.
According to her account, after exiting the plane, an assigned attendant allegedly walked away upon realizing Chaney was her designated passenger. Chaney claims the attendant also made remarks about her weight and ignored her calls for help.
“She didn’t stop. I was forced to walk one of the longest jet bridges I’ve ever encountered,” Chaney recalled, adding that by the time a wheelchair was finally offered, she felt faint and her lips had turned white.
Chaney stated that other passengers received full assistance, but her needs were disregarded entirely.
Not an Isolated Experience?
Chaney says her experience highlights a pattern of mistreatment toward plus-size and disabled travelers, especially those requiring accommodations like wheelchairs or additional seating. She claims that others have reached out with similar stories since she shared her video.
“SeaTac needs a written policy if they are going to discriminate against fat people,” Chaney said. “But instead, they lie, deny services, and leave disabled fat travelers stranded.”
A Call for Change: Petition and Policy Demands
In response to the incident, Chaney launched a petition demanding action from the FAA and major airlines. Her petition calls for a comprehensive “customer-of-size” policy, which includes:
- Free extra seats for larger passengers
- Alternative seating arrangements and wider seats
- Clear and inclusive guidelines for accommodating plus-size travelers
- Sensitivity training for airline and airport staff
The petition has already gained nearly 4,000 signatures, reflecting growing support from the public and other travelers who feel overlooked or discriminated against.
“This mistreatment highlights the urgent need for better policies that protect the dignity and rights of all passengers—regardless of size,” Chaney said.
She also pointed out that plus-size passengers often face public shaming, rude comments, and being made to feel like a burden, particularly when airlines require them to fit into just one standard seat.
SeaTac and Airline Response
As of now, there has been no public response from SeaTac Airport officials or the airline involved regarding Chaney’s claims.
However, the growing attention surrounding her video and petition could prompt further scrutiny of how airports and airlines handle accommodation requests—particularly for passengers of larger sizes or those with invisible disabilities.