Kirsty Leanne, a 30-year-old travel influencer based in the U.K., found herself at the center of a social media storm after sharing her specific travel tips for “plus-sized” individuals. With over 4.6 million likes on her TikTok account, Leanne regularly documents her travel experiences, catering to a niche audience. However, her recent suggestions on how to secure a second plane seat for free did not sit well with everyone.
In one of her popular videos, Leanne addressed the concerns of flying as a plus-sized person, highlighting the anxiety around not knowing how much space she would have in her economy seat. She advised her followers to inquire at the gate if there were any adjoining seats available. She acknowledged that this strategy might not work in all cases, especially on fully booked flights, but believed it was worth a try.
Leanne also shared a video of herself comfortably occupying three plane seats, providing additional tips in the caption. These included searching for airlines with neighbor-free or customer-of-size policies, checking in late to potentially find additional vacant seats, and selecting less-desirable seats to increase the chances of an empty seat in the row. She admitted that airlines often make it difficult to book a second seat, and thus she had discovered ways to increase her chances of securing extra space.
While buying an additional seat is the most recommended option, Leanne acknowledged that it may not be feasible for everyone, citing the high cost and the tendency of airlines to overbook flights. Despite her intentions to offer helpful advice, many TikTok users criticized her recommendations, suggesting that she should eat less to avoid needing additional space or pay extra for overweight baggage. One user even commented, "Top tip: put the fork down occasionally."
Leanne runs a blog called Plus Size Travel Too, where she shares her experiences as a plus-sized woman exploring the world. From offering tips on making a plus-sized-friendly trip to Bali to reviewing cruise ships from a larger-sized perspective, her blog aims to inspire and support fellow travelers in a similar situation.
Following the backlash, Fox News Digital reached out to Leanne for further comment on the controversy. It remains to be seen how she will address the criticism and whether she will modify her travel advice in response to the negative feedback.
