A plus-sized traveller was cruelly told she should buy two seats when travelling.
Brooke Ward shares travel hacks hoping to encourage people with bigger bodies to go on holiday.
The 32-year-old posted a video titled “flying while fat” where she documented every step of her flight from Dublin to Manchester.
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Blogger Brooke says she was targeted by trolls who sent her death threats and demanded that she buy two plane seats because of her size 30 frame.
“The death threats are another level,” Brooke, of Stafford, Staffordshire, told What’s The Jam.
“Just because someone shares their life and posts videos, it doesn’t give people the right to stay whatever they want behind their keyboards.
“People say they hope I die.
“There’s been so many negative comments it’s hard to sift through and find the good ones.
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“I don’t think I’ve read every nasty comment.
“I’ve been bullied my whole life for being bigger so it’s nothing I haven’t heard before.
“There’s a degree of numbness when you’ve been singled out your whole life but the comments were brutal.
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“A lot of people say ‘what about my seat and my space that I’ve paid for?’
“Some have shared their experience sitting next to a fat person on a plane and how that made them uncomfortable.
“Some say they don’t care as long as I buy a second seat.
“This is what stops bigger people from travelling and I think thats disgusting.
“It’s not affordable for a lot of people to buy two seats so it’s not a solution.”
The residential care practitioner shared a step by step guide on getting not the plane, squeezing into the seat, asking for a seatbelt extender and using the bathroom.
She said: “I chose the two seat configuration where there’s a member of cabin crew sat a bit behind you so there’s some space beside you because I thought it would be more comfortable for me.
“I also didn’t want anyone else to feel uncomfortable and it would save a possible story about how you see people on planes messaging someone saying ‘oh my God, I’m stuck next to a fat person on a plane’.
“I always try and travel with someone so if I’m pushing up against them or touching their leg, they’ve consented because they know my size and are happy to travel with me.
“I do everything I can to avoid those situations.
“I wanted to show myself walking down the aisle, getting into the seat and getting in and out of the bathroom.
“I got so many comments and DMs about the bathroom, people are afraid to go on a plane in case they need to use the bathroom and it isn’t accessible for them.
“Bathrooms on planes are tiny, I don’t know how parents or people with decreased mobility use them.
“I ask for a seatbelt extender as soon as I walk on the plane.
“The first few times you ask there is that embarrassment factor because you’re outwardly saying you’re too big for the seatbelt but the more you do it the more you get used to doing it.
“But the staff are always super discreet, it’s rolled up in their hand and it’s not a big deal, it’s over in a couple of seconds, you pop your seatbelt in and you’re safe and good to go.
“I’ve never had a negative experience with cabin crew, they’re there for your best interest.
“I’ve been moved before when there’s been room to make me and other travellers comfortable.”
Brooke says not all the comments have been negative as some followers thanked her for easing their travel anxieties.
She said: “A lot of people said it lowered their anxiety and that makes me feel really good.
“You’re meant to be going on holiday and looking forward to it, not dreading it.
“Then people said if you dread something it should be a wake up call but a lot of people have dread in life it doesn’t mean you have to wave a magic wand and not be that thing anymore.
“Others say they don’t care if they’re sat next to a fat person and I can lean up against them.
“No-one has ever said anything to my face.”
Brooke is sharing her story to raise awareness of the difficulties plus-sized travellers face when going on holiday.
She added: “Flying can get really expensive and people don’t have another option other than choosing the cheapest airline but people are scared because the cheapest airlines aren’t plus-size accessible.
“I’ve bought premium before when I’ve travelled alone thinking it had more space but there was a plastic barrier between each seat so it was even more uncomfortable.
“Some airlines have a ‘customer of size’ policy where you can choose to block out another seat.
“Maybe airlines could have transparency about sizes of seats but I don’t think a change will happen soon.”
Levi Telford said: “Is this not a sign?
“I’m not being rude, I’m quite chubby myself but if you are worrying if you will fit in a plane that’s a sign.”
Another commenter added: “Ignore all the hate in comments. I hope you inspired others that are scared to fly for this reason.”
Amalia said: “As someone who is plus size and traveling soon, thank you!.
“Sharing your experiences helps so many of us feel more comfortable.”
A third viewer said: “I’ve been big (I’m small now).
“Obesity is a disease and people need to have some empathy. She is bravely sharing her experience, bravo.”
Another commenter said: “How is Ryanair charging extra for just 1g too much luggage but not for this?”
Julia added: “What would happen if the seat next to you was occupied?
“I would not want to have to sit next to you and have you flop into my paid for seat.”
A sixth person said: “You don’t deserve to take up that much space.”
Elle added: “The fact you have to make a video about this is surely a sign for you?”
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