Cleared for Takeoff: Creating Better Travel Experiences for Passengers of Size

By Sarah Bramblette, MSHL, OAC Senior Advocacy Manager 

Summer 2026

Several years ago, I was offered a consulting opportunity with a major company. What should have been an easy decision came with an immediate question: Could I afford to get there?

To fly comfortably and in accordance with airline policies, I needed two seats. That meant additional costs, and I wondered whether the company would be willing to cover them. I was relieved when the answer was “yes,” but then I learned the destination wasn’t served by Southwest, the airline I usually chose because I was familiar with its Customer of Size (COS) policy. Suddenly, I found myself navigating a different airline’s rules and procedures, something that can be surprisingly difficult when clear information isn’t readily available.

Thankfully, the company had a travel agent who handled all of the booking details, including the extra seat. During the flight, a flight attendant who was traveling home happened to sit in the aisle seat next to me. At one point she thanked me for purchasing the additional seat, saying, “It really makes it better for everyone.” I explained that if my company hadn’t covered the cost of travel, I likely wouldn’t have been able to afford the extra seat. I also shared that I typically flew Southwest because its COS policy provided an additional seat at no extra cost.

I told her that if airlines want passengers like me to purchase an additional seat, the process needs to be easier and more affordable.

On that airline, an extra seat couldn’t be booked online or through the app. Without the travel agent, I would have had to call customer service to book the extra seat, while most passengers can book everything they need through an airline’s website or app in minutes. It’s not just the added expense; it’s the extra time and effort. Most of us aren’t asking for a free seat.

We simply want the ability to book the space we need easily and at a reasonable cost. After all, we’re still just one passenger and shouldn’t have to pay twice for benefits we only use once.

Barriers Beyond the Boarding Pass

Purchasing an additional seat is only one part of the experience. Every trip requires extra planning before I even arrive at the airport. Before booking a flight, I often find myself researching multiple airlines, comparing COS policies, checking the cost of additional seats and figuring out which options will work best for my needs. I look for direct flights when possible, consider layover times carefully and factor in the possibility of delays when arranging wheelchair assistance.

What should be a straightforward travel decision can quickly become much more complicated. Even then, there are no guarantees.

I once found a direct flight on an airline I had never used and wanted to ask a few questions about booking an additional seat. When I contacted the airline, I was told they couldn’t assist me without a reservation number. Since I couldn’t get the information I needed before booking, I chose another airline.

And that’s just the planning process. Once you’re at the airport and on the plane, a new set of challenges can arise.

Common concerns for passengers of size include:

• Shrinking seat sizes and limited legroom
• Uncertainty around whether an additional seat will be needed
• Inconsistent COS policies between airlines
• Varying seatbelt lengths and availability of seatbelt extenders
• Fear of public embarrassment, judgment or stigma

Participation Shouldn’t Be Grounded by Body Size

Air travel is often viewed as a convenience, but it has become a necessity for many. It allows us to visit family, pursue career opportunities, access healthcare, attend conferences and participate in advocacy efforts.

For me, flying has made it possible to stay connected to loved ones who live more than 1,000 miles away and to take part in advocacy opportunities across the country. While technology has created more ways to connect remotely, some experiences simply cannot be replaced by a screen.

Relationships are built in person. Ideas are exchanged in hallways and over meals. Some of the most meaningful conversations happen outside the meeting room. No one should miss out on family milestones, professional opportunities or events because air travel feels inaccessible.

That is why transparency matters. When airlines have clear, consistent policies that are easy to find and understand, passengers can plan ahead with more confidence and less uncertainty.

For passengers who need additional space, airlines should provide clear answers to important questions:

• How do I book an additional seat?
• What accommodations are available?
• Can I use a seatbelt extender in my seat?
• What costs should I expect before I travel?

Without this information, travel becomes more expensive, more stressful and out of reach for many people.

Charting a Better Course Forward

The good news is that people are speaking up, and the conversation is starting to change.

Over the past year, the Obesity Action Coalition has worked to elevate the experiences of passengers of size and encourage airlines to create policies that are clearer, more consistent and more accessible. While there is still work to do, increased attention to these issues shows that travelers’ voices are being heard.

What we’re asking for isn’t complicated. Passengers deserve clear information, consistent policies and the ability to make informed decisions before they travel.

People living with obesity want to travel. We want to visit our families. We want to pursue career opportunities. We want to attend conferences, advocate for change and participate fully in life.

What we need is transparency, consistency and dignity throughout the process.

Real change happens when people share their experiences. Every story helps decision-makers better understand the barriers travelers face and the opportunities for improvement. Together, we can help create a future where every passenger is treated with dignity and every body has the opportunity to take flight.

Seat Size, Safety and the Law

The Seat Egress in Air Travel Act, or SEAT Act, was included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and directed the FAA to establish minimum seat dimension standards for passenger safety and emergency evacuation. As airline seats have become smaller and passengers have a wide range of body sizes and mobility needs, advocates have emphasized that seating is about more than comfort. It is about safety, accessibility, health and dignity.

Although the FAA has not finalized nationwide minimum seat-size standards, recent federal action, including the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, has increased attention on accessibility and passenger protections. The Air Carrier Access Act also prohibits discrimination against passengers with disabilities, though obesity alone is not automatically classified as a disability under federal airline regulations.

Advocates continue to push for clearer seating standards, greater transparency and dignity-centered airline policies, noting that the conversation around airline seating is no longer just about comfort but increasingly about safety, accessibility and equal access to travel. 

Take OAC Action. 

Ask Airlines To Improve Policies For Passengers Of Size: ObesityAction.org/action-center/weight-bias-issues/airlines-action/

About the Author: 

Sarah Bramblette, MSHL, is the OAC Senior Advocacy Manager and a longtime health advocate who uses her personal experiences to raise awareness about obesity, access to care and weight bias. In her role with OAC, she helps develop and mentor new advocates through OAC’s Action Teams program, equipping individuals with the tools and confidence to share their stories and take action in their own communities and beyond.

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