A plus size travel buff has gone viral on TikTok after sharing the problems she experiences while flying and in hotels due to her size – but viewers did not take kindly to her complaints.
Kirsty Leanne, 29, from Shropshire, previously made headlines after sharing her experience flying on Ryanair, where she complained about the seat sizes.
She also regularly shares travel tips for larger bodied people.
But in her latest video, she decided to warn others by listing the issues she has faced as a plus size traveller.
“A lot of people don’t know what to expect when travelling in a larger body, so I like to show the realities,” Kirsty, who shares tips on her blog, PlusSizeTravelToo told NeedToKnow.online.
“I also like to share that although there are things that may go wrong or be less than welcoming, travel is incredible and so, so worth it.”
In the clip, Kirsty shares the issues she faces as a plus size traveller, starting with tight seatbelts and needing a seatbelt extender.
Next, she shares a video of her walking down an airplane aisle, which she describes as “narrow”.
Filming herself in the airplane bathroom mirror, she calls the space “unusable” due to its small size.
She said: “I hate having to use a bathroom on a flight and only really do it if I’m on long haul and I have no choice. There’s very little room to move, let along to do what you’ve got to do! Some serious acrobatics are required to use!”
Kirsty then calls the plane seats “tiny” and shows the tray table not fully extending down, before moving on to complaints outside of the aircraft.
Showing a mark on her leg, she says one issue for someone her size is restaurant chairs with arms, with the arms digging into her flesh.
In a hotel, she says the bathrooms are too small, and robes and towels do not fit her.
She said: “I think only a handful of times have I been somewhere where a robe or towel has actually fit me. It’s so frustrating!”
Kirsty also complains about using the top bunk bed in hostels and, similarly, says beds with slats pose an issue to her.
She said: “Top bunks are terrifying for plus size travellers! Climbing to the top is painful and the fear that you’ll [fall] through is real. You spend the whole night too scared to move.
“Beds with slats are also definitely not plus size friendly and I’ve had them break on me before!”
Finally, while travelling she reveals she suffers from “chub rub” – chafing of the thighs.
She finishes the video on a lighter note, adding: “Although there are lots of problems you may come across while travelling in a bigger body, it’s so worth it!”
Despite intending to share the struggle in a humorous light with followers, Kirsty was slammed when the TikTok went viral with 461,000 views.
One person commented: “This should be motivation for you.”
“That is not the hotel or planes fault…sorry!!!” said another viewer.
Another user added: “It might motivate to get to different smaller size maybe.”
“If this doesn’t motivate you idk what will,” said someone else. [sic]
One follower pointed out: “What about the poor passengers sitting next to you. I was jammed in next to an enormous man, 12 hr flight & I had to step in the seat arms to get out.”
“Who’s fault is that,” added someone else. [sic]
Another user said: “It is always easier to blame someone or something else.”
However, other viewers defended Kirsty.
One user said: “It’s ironic if it was a very tall muscular person complaining that the spaces are too small no one would be blaming them for their size.”
“People saying you’re the problem. It’s not as black and white. Society should be more accommodating. Not as easy as “just lose weight” + why should u?” another person commented.
Someone else said: “The gymnastics I have to do to wipe in an airplane bathroom…”
“The tray tables are the worst!” another viewer agreed.
“Wow I relate to every single one of these,” said another person.
