Plus-sized TikTok creator says 'it's discrimination' that airplane aisles aren't wider

In a video posted to TikTok on Wednesday, a plus-sized TikTok creator claimed to her 50K followers that airlines discriminate against her because she struggled to fit down the aisle. It shows Olivia turning her body sideways to fit past each seat down the aisle. 

The caption read, “Honestly it is discrimination that they can’t build a wider aisles in airplanes 2023.” 

The video, which has amassed over 700 thousand views as of publication has garnered mixed reactions. One commenter noted, “Wider aisles mean less seats, and they would be cutting into profits to accommodate the super-sized. That wouldn’t make any sense.”

Another said, “Imma big girl myself but I am not blaming the plane for being uncomfortable. That’s on me.” 

Others were more sympathetic. “I agree, airplanes are so compact and give me terrible claustrophobia.” One user responded. 

Another said, “Sure is! Planes are super tight no matter the waistline.” 

Others compared her situation to being tall and flying. “My husband is 6’5, it’s discrimination there is not very much legroom for him…” said one user. “Real talk though they should be accommodating for tall people.” 

Olivia posted other videos centered around her love of food and documented some of the issues she faces around her weight. One video shows her using an elevator with a 750lb capacity to enter a store. Another shows her on an elliptical machine with the caption, “My mom offered me 500 dollars if I could run on this thing for 5 minutes.” 

The controversy comes as the body positivity movement has grown in the last couple of years. In 2021, Cosmopolitan Magazine called obesity “healthy,” even as the risks of Covid-19 were higher for overweight people. 

In October, content creator Sydney Watson was accused of “fat shaming” when she live-tweeted a flight in which she was stuck between two obese people. She said, “This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay.” she continued, “If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I’m stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours.” American Airlines responded to her with, “Our passengers come in all different sizes and shapes. We’re sorry you were uncomfortable on your flight.“