A Welsh empowerment coach has taken airlines to task for what she called discrimination against plus-size individuals and egregious service on flights.

With travel now back in full swing, Meg Goldberger hit out at the usual small plane seats and cramped toilet stalls. She urged airlines to cater to the increasing number of overweight passengers by providing them free extra seats by their side or upgrading them to business or first class if there is room to do so.

“This summer’s going to see more flights canceled and plus-size people should not have to endure bullying and fat shaming on planes,” Goldberger told The Scottish Sun.

“I want airlines to offer us business or first class upgrades for free if there are empty seats,” she said, adding while she wouldn’t pay for the upgrades, it would make flying more comfortable for all passengers.

Goldberger, who weighs 280lbs, added that being overweight doesn’t mean she isn’t healthy. “I work out regularly and I love my body. It’s sexy and I am proud to be plus-size,” she said.

To drive home her point, the part-time model gave an example of the horrific treatment she endured on a flight to Dubai in May 2022. She said she had to put on a brave face as fellow travelers called her “fat cow” and told her she belonged in cargo. The flight staff also appeared biased against her, at first ignoring her request for a seatbelt extension. When she got one after asking again, she claimed she wasn’t even told how to use it.

“We suffer long-term trauma or PTSD from in-flight fat shaming,” she told the outlet. “I weigh the same as Olympic bodybuilders or weight lifters. They get free upgrades so should I. It’s only fair we get bigger seats and safe spaces.”

Some airlines have tried to tackle this issue, with most requiring passengers to pay for extra seats if they need the room. Ryanair coined this “Comfort Seats” while Southwest requires “customers of size” who “encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat” to book an extra seat for which they may be reimbursed.

In the same article, Londoner Tiffany Wells echoed Goldberger’s sentiments. The size 26 retail merchandiser said she was tired of having to put up with the prejudice and bigoted behavior of airline staff and travelers.

“I was told by one passenger I was too fat for one seat and should buy two. I refuse to,” she told the publication.

She described it as unfair to impose extra charges on passengers due solely to their weight. “Why should I have to spend more money due to my size? That’s horrible,” she said. “Airlines have been shrinking seats, while the population is actually getting bigger. “I’ve been literally stuck in the middle seat on a center aisle and unable to move or get out of my seat during a flight.”

She also slammed the behavior of rude passengers, as well as unconcerned flight staff. “It’s usually the skinny blokes who have BO (body odor), and when women or men get on planes for hen or stag trips, they ruin the flight for everyone,” she said and added: “I was shocked that many airline staff just stand there and let people mock and bully people like me. They don’t get bullied and mocked like I do.”

Like Goldberger, Wells urged airlines to prioritize all passengers’ comfort.

“It’s discriminatory – I know so many plus-size women who are scared to fly because of fat shaming. So I’m standing up and demanding change.”