Plus-Sized Woman Slammed Online for Sharing Specific Flight “Second Seat” Tips

Who She Is
Kirsty Leanne is a 30-year-old travel content creator in the U.K. who posts about flying and traveling as a “plus-sized person.”
Her TikTok account has earned over 4.6 million likes and she shares guidance aimed at helping larger travelers feel more comfortable while on the move.

What Sparked the Backlash
Leanne recently posted advice for her nearly 130,000 TikTok followers about improving comfort on flights—specifically, how to increase the chances of having an empty seat next to you without paying for a second seat.

In one of her most-watched videos, she described “one of the most daunting things” about flying as a plus-sized person: not knowing how much space an economy seat will provide.

Her Main Tip: Ask at the Gate
Leanne’s suggestion was straightforward:

• Ask a flight attendant at the gate if there are “any seats where there’s two seats next to each other free.”
• She emphasized that this won’t work on every flight, especially fully booked flights
• But she said it can still be “worth the ask” if available seats exist

@kirstyleannetravels A few other things to bear in mind are: ✨ The sooner you board and ask, the better. FAs work on a first come first serve basis and if you’re last to board, all the free empty seats might be allocated. ✨ Don’t ask the first FA you see. Get to the ‘section’ your seat is in and ask the person who is then standing closest to you. If you’re at the back of the plane, it’s unlikely someone at the front will be able to help you. ✨ Don’t just move. It’s always better to ask so that FAs are aware you want more space. They also may tell you to wait until after takeoff to move and will save the space for you. ✨ I also ask at check-in as often, they can change your ticket to be in an empty row. A lot of the time, however, I’m told it’s a full flight even if it’s not. If you get this answer, don’t be disheartened – people don’t show up or miss their flight, leaving extra seats. #plussizetraveltoo #plussizetraveltips #travellingwhilefat #fattravel #plussize #flyingwhilefat #plussizequeen #flightghack #travelhack #fatandhappy #plussizetraveller ♬ original sound – kirstyleanne•plus size travel

Other Tips She Shared
In another viral video, she showed herself spread across three plane seats and added extra strategies in the caption, such as:

• Look for airlines with a neighbor-free approach or a “customer-of-size” policy
• Check in late to see whether any additional seats appear to be open
• Choose less-desirable seat locations for a better chance of landing in a row with an empty seat

Why She Says These Tips Matter
Leanne acknowledged that buying an extra seat is often recommended, but said it isn’t always realistic:

• “It costs a lot,” particularly if travelers also have to pay to allocate seats
• Not everyone can afford to purchase a second seat
• She also argued that airlines frequently overbook, meaning a purchased extra seat could still be reassigned

Leanne said that because airlines can make it difficult to book a second seat, she has tried over time to find ways to increase the odds of extra space.

The Viral Reaction
One of her most viral videos drew major attention, reaching over 6.6 million views—and a wave of criticism in the comments.

Examples of negative reactions included:

• Comments implying she should pay more because of her size
• Claims that other passengers deserve comfort too
• Insults and remarks that many viewers described as fatphobic and personal

Her Broader Platform
Leanne also runs a blog called “Plus Size Travel Too,” where she documents what traveling is like as a larger-sized woman. The site includes guides and reviews such as:

• Plus-size-friendly Bali travel ideas
• Cruise ship reviews focused on plus-sized comfort and experience

The Larger Debate
Leanne’s posts reignited a familiar argument online:

• Accessibility and comfort for plus-sized travelers
• Fairness and seating policies for airlines and other passengers
• The reality that many travelers navigate cost, limited space, and unpredictable seat availability—especially in economy cabins