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Plus-size influencer demands airlines stop charging heavyset passengers for two seats: 'Discriminatory'

by ZACHARY ROGERS | The National Desk

WASHINGTON (TND) — A plus-size travel influencer says that airlines need to end their "discriminatory" seat policies that sometimes have larger flyers purchase extra seats, even if that means airline ticket prices go up for everyone else.

While policies vary from airline to airline, it's not uncommon in the United States for plus-size airplane passengers to be required to pay more to travel. Many airlines, such as United Airlines , have policies that require "customers who require extra seating" to purchase an additional seat in advance of the flight.

In a recent interview with CNN Travel , Jae'lynn Chaney claims those seat policies make her and others pay "twice for the same experience." Chaney is a "highly successful Plus Size Travel Blogger, Content Creator, and Marginalized Body Advocate," according to her website.

Back at the beginning of April, Chaney started up a petition on Change.org that demanded the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "Protect Plus-Size Travelers." That petition has received over 18,500 signatures so far.

Air travel should be comfortable and accessible for everyone, regardless of size," Chaney says on her Change.org petition's webpage.

The FAA should mandate that all airlines have a comprehensive customer-of-size policy that prioritizes the comfort and well-being of ALL passengers," Chaney adds.

As her petition gained traction and attention, Chaney was interviewed by Fox News, where she revealed she was okay with the notion that other flyers would have to pay more for their tickets due to increased demand.

Implementing policies to accommodate plus-size passengers may come with associated costs, but these costs must be weighed against the benefits of creating a more welcoming and inclusive travel experience," Chaney reportedly said.

Chaney admitted to Fox that "it is difficult to provide a one-size-fits-all answer to the question of who will pay for the policies mentioned in the petition," but "what is clear is that the mistreatment and discrimination of plus-size travelers is unacceptable and must be addressed."

Now, during her recent June interview with CNN Travel, Chaney is advocating for a "more standardized" set of airline policies for larger travelers, something airline consumer advocacy group Travelers United reportedly agrees with.

At the bare minimum, we need every airline to have a policy that tells people of size how to navigate their airline," Chaney told CNN.

All plus-sized passengers are appreciative of knowing the rules,” Charles Leocha, co-founder of Travelers United, reportedly added. “It eliminates many misunderstandings."

Adding to that, Chaney tells CNN that current airline seat policies for plus-size passengers are "discriminatory" as "people with smaller bodies get to pay one fare to get to their destination" while larger passengers "have to pay two fares, even though we’re getting the same experience."

Chaney reportedly adds that "if anything, our experiences are a little bit more challenging."

The plus-size travel influencer also told CNN that larger flyers are simply "asking for the same dignity and respect from an airline that someone in a smaller body gets," apparently in response to the notion that plus-sized flyers are seeking special treatment.

There are already some laws outside the United States that prohibit airlines from charging customers for their body sizes. The Australian Consumer Law is one such piece of legislation.

Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet are also prevented from charging customers for an extra seat on domestic Canadian flights due to the country's “one person, one fare” (1p1f) policy. Customers in Canada do have to be considered "functionally disabled by obesity" to not be charged for the extra seat though, according to the policy, as obesity is a recognized disability in Canada.

Canadian air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs tells CNN he sees the practice of making customers pay for an extra airline seat due to their size is a human rights issue.

Being a large-size person is not a choice, as many people mistakenly believe," Lukacs told CNN. "There is, unfortunately, a lot of negative attention and prejudice against plus-sized people... but it’s not as if someone is getting up in the morning and making a decision that they’re going to be a large person."

So through that lens of human rights, I don’t see any justification for charging these people a double fare," Lukacs reportedly added.

These seating policy concerns come at a time when many in the United States believe airplane seats are getting smaller and smaller. While there is some debate on if Americans are losing inches in the size of airplane seats, there seems to be more of a consensus that at least legroom is slowly disappearing.

Given as an example of how big seats are on today's flights, the seat width on United Airlines 787-8/9/10 Dreamliner aircraft is said to be 17.3 (43.9 cm) in "Economy Plus," according to the airline.

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Plus-size travelers hit out at ‘discriminatory’ airline seat policies

ATLANTA — While the average width of an airplane seat has been shrinking for decades, bodies are getting larger around the world, with experts predicting that over half of the global population will be overweight or obese by 2035.

This ultimately means that more and more passengers are likely to be finding it difficult to fit into airplane seats, and some may be hit in the pocket as a result.

Policies around plus-size travelers tend to vary from airline to airline. While a number, including United Airlines , require “customers who require extra seating” to buy an additional seat in advance, some refund the purchase if one or more seats are available after takeoff. However, there is no universal standard as such.

Different airlines have different guidelines. Some have no guidelines at all, meaning that even well-informed travelers can have trouble keeping up.

Policy confusion

In April, plus-size travel influencer Jae’lynn Chaney launched a petition urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate all airlines for a comprehensive customer-of-size policy that “prioritizes the comfort and well-being of all passengers.”

“We need the policies to be a little bit more standardized,” Chaney tells CNN Travel. “At the bare minimum, we need every airline to have a policy that tells people of size how to navigate their airline.”

Charles Leocha, co-founder of airline consumer advocacy group  Travelers United , shares this sentiment.

“All plus-sized passengers are appreciative of knowing the rules,” he adds. “It eliminates many misunderstandings.”

Outside of the US, the Australian Consumer Law prohibits airlines from charging passengers different amounts based on their body sizes.

Meanwhile, the “one person, one fare” (1p1f) policy, which prevented domestic airlines Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet from charging passengers requiring an extra seat for more than one fare, was passed by the Canadian Transportation Agency in 2008.

Obesity is recognized as a disability in Canada, and passengers must be considered “functionally disabled by obesity,” to meet the requirements for a free extra seat.

However, the rule only applies to domestic flights, which means that plus-size travelers still need to buy an extra seat when going on an international flight.

One of the various demands listed in Chaney’s petition, which had received over 17,000 signatures at the time of writing, is that all airlines “provide accessible additional seats to customers-of-size” who may require more space or “encroach onto another passenger’s space.”

“These passengers should be provided with an extra free seat, or even multiple seats, to accommodate their needs and ensure their comfort and safety, as well as those around them, during the flight,” reads the petition .

For Chaney, who has needed a seat belt extender from a young age, the issue is a hugely personal one.

“I kind of knew that planes were not built for people like me by the time I was 12,” she says, recalling trying to tuck her seatbelt underneath her stomach so that flight attendants couldn’t see that she hadn’t been able to buckle it.

“There was a really tight fit on the seats. And being such a young child at the time, traveling without my parents was really stressful for me. Because I didn’t know how to advocate for myself.”

Chaney feels that airline policies that require plus-size travelers to buy an extra seat while flying are “discriminatory,” pointing out that passengers like her are “paying twice for the same experience.”

“People with smaller bodies get to pay one fare to get to their destination,” she says. “And we have to pay two fares, even though we’re getting the same experience. If anything, our experiences are a little bit more challenging.”

United Airlines, one of the US airlines that requires larger passengers to purchase an extra seat, declined to comment.

Chaney dismisses suggestions that plus-size travelers are asking for special treatment, stressing that they are simply “asking for the same dignity and respect from an airline that someone in a smaller body gets.”

Human rights issue?

Canadian air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs says he views the practice of charging larger passengers for two seats as a human rights issue.

“Being a large-size person is not a choice, as many people mistakenly believe,” Lukacs tells CNN Travel.

“There is, unfortunately, a lot of negative attention and prejudice against plus-sized people.

“But it’s not as if someone is getting up in the morning and making a decision that they’re going to be a large person.

“So through that lens of human rights, I don’t see any justification for charging these people a double fare.”

Lukacs goes on to point out that airlines don’t provide discounts to people who are smaller sized, or even children, even though they’re much lighter, and therefore “less fuel is being consumed to transport them.”

“I’d be very concerned to see this type of argument being advanced where immutable characteristics of a person are being used for assessing fees,” he adds. “It can be a slippery slope.”

According to Chaney, aside from being a “financial burden,” the prospect of paying for two seats is an added complication to an experience that is already very difficult for many plus sized travelers.

“There’s so many different things, obstacles, that are in the way,” she explains.

Chaney regularly shares tips on flying as a plus-size person on her TikTok channel and says that one of the questions she’s asked the most is, “What do I do if the seatbelt does not fit?”

“It surprises me every time that many people don’t know that seat belt extenders exist,” she adds. “And that they’re available on all flights.”

Chaney admits that having to ask for a seat belt extender “isn’t always the most comfortable experience,” particularly when faced with hostile passengers, or even flight attendants, on some occasions.

Constant challenges

“The stereotypes that surround plus-size travelers, and the hostility towards us when we’re traveling by plane is honestly horrendous,” she adds.

“It can just be such an uncomfortable experience. People treat us very much differently.”

While Chaney stresses that much of the feedback she’s received since launching her petition has been hugely positive, she admits that she’s been subject to abuse, and even death threats, from members of the public.

“I have chosen to focus on the positivity and support,” she adds.

Earlier this year, content creator and plus size travel expert Kirsty Leanne went viral after posting a video of herself struggling to fit in an airplane seat while flying with a budget airline.

Leanne, who is also the founder of website Plus Size Travel Too , says she was shocked by the sheer volume of negative comments she received after sharing the clip, which detailed many of the problems she and other plus-size travelers face while onboard a plane.

“I was sharing my experience with the airlines and showing other plus-size travelers what to expect, so I didn’t expect so many people to think that the points I made were complaints of any kind,” Leanne tells CNN Travel via email.

“I thought I would get one or two negative comments as I always do with videos talking about being plus-size, but not to the extent that I did.”

While Chaney stresses that much of the feedback she’s received has been hugely positive, she admits that she’s been subject to abuse, and even death threats, from members of the public who take issue with her petition.

Over the past two decades, the width of the average seat has shrunk from 18.5 to 17 inches. Meanwhile, according to a study by the World Obesity Federation , around 38% of the world population are overweight or obese.

“This [shrinking seats] has had such a negative impact on plus-size travelers,” says Leanne. “So not only does it deter them from flying, but it also makes it incredibly uncomfortable for those that do choose to fly.

“With shrinking seats, there should be acknowledgement that plus-size people may require certain accommodations in order to allow them to fly safely and comfortably.”

When approached for comment by CNN, the FAA pointed to a 90-day public comment period, on minimum seat dimensions necessary for airline passenger safety, which was held last year.

“The agency is reviewing the thousands of comments it received on whether current seat size and spacing affect passenger evacuation,” the FAA said in a statement.

In 2022, Flyers Rights, a nonprofit organization, petitioned the FAA to regulate a minimum seat size, citing concerns about medical risks, including blood clotting, due to limited space, among other issues.

However, the petition was denied by a US appeals court earlier this year.

For Lukacs, decreasing airplane seat sizes are something that all travelers, not just those who are plus sized, should be troubled by.

“It is a concern, because being crammed in a very small seat could, apart from your comfort, also affect your health, in terms of risks of deep vein thrombosis,” he notes.

“I’m not sure what the science is on that today, but I could see that being a problem. And also, we’re not cattle.

“We do expect, when we board a plane, to be treated with some reasonable level of respect.”

Back in 2013, Samoa Air, the flag carrier of Samoa, previously known as Polynesian Airlines, became the first airline to begin weighing passengers at the airport.

And last month, Air New Zealand confirmed that it will be weighing passengers as part of a “passenger weight survey,” to calculate data on the weight load and distribution for planes.

The national carrier of New Zealand has stressed that the survey is voluntary.

Chaney, who last took a plane ride in April 2022, says she’s most comfortable flying with Southwest Airlines, explaining that the airline’s  “customer of size and extra seat policy,” which stipulates that passengers who require extra room can purchase another seat at the time of booking and claim the money back after contacting customer service.

Open hostility

When she flies with her partner Jake, who is also plus sized, the couple have to decide whether to buy four seats and sit apart, or purchase three seats between them and “just have it be a little bit of a tight fit.”

“We also make sure that our flights are only six or seven hours max, because we can’t use the restroom comfortably on the plane,” adds Chaney, who says that Jake has had passengers refuse to sit next to them.

Like Chaney, Leanne feels that it’s important to share her experiences, good and bad, while traveling, and hopes that other plus size travelers, who might be wary of getting on a plane, will see that “there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Although it may be incredibly daunting and overwhelming to travel in a larger body, please do not let the experience of flying while fat put you off traveling,” she says.

“There are so many incredible things to see out there and I promise you, it’s worth it.”

According to Chaney, one of the biggest misconceptions about plus size travelers is the notion that they don’t consider how much space they take up.

“They [other travelers] think that we want to invade their space, or that we don’t care if we’re invading their space, or encroaching upon their space, especially in air travel,” she says.

“And that’s where a lot of the blatant hostility will come from. When in reality, so many people that I talk to, speak about how they try to shrink themselves.

“They try to lean up against the window. They try to make themselves as small as possible when traveling by plane, simply so that they don’t offend somebody else. So that they don’t have to face hostility or embarrassment.

“I know it’s something I think about all the time in life, no matter where I am.”

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The 5 Best Plus-Size Travel Clothing Brands

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

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When embarking on exciting adventures around the globe, one thing should never hold you back: your clothing. Plus-size travelers deserve comfort, style, and confidence during their journeys, and that’s where the best plus-size travel clothing brands come into play.

These are the best plus-size clothing brands that offer travel-friendly gear in sizes up to 40.

For your next destination wedding or business trip, look no further than SuitShop , an inclusive brand that offers sizes 00 to 28 for women and 34 to 64 for men. The brand makes stylish suits and tuxedos that look sharp on all genders.

SuitShop allows you to get a perfect fit by selecting the size and tailoring of your suit jacket and suit pants separately. 

Best of all, the suits come in eye-catching colors like burnt orange and light blue that add a little fun to dress clothes. 

Good American

Good American specializes in travel-friendly denim that will fit all sizes: from 00-32. On the brand’s website, every piece of clothing is shown on three different size ranges of models, so you can see how it will look on your body type.

The Always Fits jeans line is impressively stretchy and is guaranteed to fit up to four sizes. 

The Ultimate Packing List

Keep your travel wardrobe fresh with Nuuly , a clothing rental company. Nuuly partnered with Eloquii to offer a variety of options in sizes 14-32. Subscribe and you’ll get six styles sent to your door every month. Pack them and wear them and then send them back to get more options (no laundry required). 

Fall in love with one of the items? You can opt to buy it and keep it instead of sending it back.

Universal Standard

Universal Standard offers an impressively wide range of sizes in all of their clothing styles, from 00-40. The brand has their own sizing chart that’s based on what the average American body type looks like, so check out their Find My Size page before buying.

There are plenty of travel-friendly items to choose from, from a polished (but comfortable) pointe pants line to cozy cashmere . 

The 14 Best Dresses for Fall Travelers

As L.L. Bean says, “the outdoors is for every body.” The brand offers petite, regular, and plus size options in its clothing. L.L. Bean is a great place to shop for adventure gear, as hiking pants, jackets, and more are available in sizes 1X to 3X and 18W to 26W.

Unsure if you’re going to like the fit? L.L. Bean offers a year-long guarantee on all its products, so you can easily return it for a refund if it doesn’t work out.

You Might Also Like:

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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‘we’re paying twice for the same experience’: plus-size travelers hit out at ‘discriminatory’ airline seat policies.

While the average width of an airplane seat has been shrinking for decades, bodies are getting larger around the world, with experts predicting that over half of the global population will be overweight or obese by 2035.

This ultimately means that more and more passengers are likely to be finding it difficult to fit into airplane seats, and some may be hit in the pocket as a result.

Policies around plus-size travelers tend to vary from airline to airline. While a number, including United Airlines , require “customers who require extra seating” to buy an additional seat in advance, some refund the purchase if one or more seats are available after takeoff. However, there is no universal standard as such.

Different airlines have different guidelines. Some have no guidelines at all, meaning that even well-informed travelers can have trouble keeping up.

Policy confusion

Chaney is seen sitting in between two airplane seats on a Southwest Airlines flight to Kona, Hawaii in April, 2022. - Courtesy Jae'lynn Chaney

In April, plus-size travel influencer Jae’lynn Chaney launched a petition urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate all airlines for a comprehensive customer-of-size policy that “prioritizes the comfort and well-being of all passengers.”

“We need the policies to be a little bit more standardized,” Chaney tells CNN Travel. “At the bare minimum, we need every airline to have a policy that tells people of size how to navigate their airline.”

Charles Leocha, co-founder of airline consumer advocacy group Travelers United , shares this sentiment.

“All plus-sized passengers are appreciative of knowing the rules,” he adds. “It eliminates many misunderstandings.”

Outside of the US, the Australian Consumer Law prohibits airlines from charging passengers different amounts based on their body sizes.

Meanwhile, the “one person, one fare” (1p1f) policy, which prevented domestic airlines Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet from charging passengers requiring an extra seat for more than one fare, was passed by the Canadian Transportation Agency in 2008.

Obesity is recognized as a disability in Canada, and passengers must be considered “functionally disabled by obesity,” to meet the requirements for a free extra seat.

However, the rule only applies to domestic flights, which means that plus-size travelers still need to buy an extra seat when going on an international flight.

The size of the average airplane seat has shrunk over the years. - Juan Silva/Photodisc/Getty Images

One of the various demands listed in Chaney’s petition, which had received over 17,000 signatures at the time of writing, is that all airlines “provide accessible additional seats to customers-of-size” who may require more space or “encroach onto another passenger’s space.”

“These passengers should be provided with an extra free seat, or even multiple seats, to accommodate their needs and ensure their comfort and safety, as well as those around them, during the flight,” reads the petition .

For Chaney, who has needed a seat belt extender from a young age, the issue is a hugely personal one.

“I kind of knew that planes were not built for people like me by the time I was 12,” she says, recalling trying to tuck her seatbelt underneath her stomach so that flight attendants couldn’t see that she hadn’t been able to buckle it.

“There was a really tight fit on the seats. And being such a young child at the time, traveling without my parents was really stressful for me. Because I didn’t know how to advocate for myself.”

Chaney feels that airline policies that require plus size travelers to buy an extra seat while flying are “discriminatory,” pointing out that passengers like her are “paying twice for the same experience.”

“People with smaller bodies get to pay one fare to get to their destination,” she says. “And we have to pay two fares, even though we’re getting the same experience. If anything, our experiences are a little bit more challenging.”

United Airlines, one of the US airlines that requires larger passengers to purchase an extra seat, declined to comment.

Chaney dismisses suggestions that plus-size travelers are asking for special treatment, stressing that they are simply “asking for the same dignity and respect from an airline that someone in a smaller body gets.”

Human rights issue?

A flight attendant serves drinks to passengers on board an American Airlines flight from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. - Robert Alexander/Getty Images

Canadian air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs says he views the practice of charging larger passengers for two seats as a human rights issue.

“Being a large-size person is not a choice, as many people mistakenly believe,” Lukacs tells CNN Travel.

“There is, unfortunately, a lot of negative attention and prejudice against plus-sized people.

“But it’s not as if someone is getting up in the morning and making a decision that they’re going to be a large person.

“So through that lens of human rights, I don’t see any justification for charging these people a double fare.”

Lukacs goes on to point out that airlines don’t provide discounts to people who are smaller sized, or even children, even though they’re much lighter, and therefore “less fuel is being consumed to transport them.”

“I’d be very concerned to see this type of argument being advanced where immutable characteristics of a person are being used for assessing fees,” he adds. “It can be a slippery slope.”

According to Chaney, aside from being a “financial burden,” the prospect of paying for two seats is an added complication to an experience that is already very difficult for many plus sized travelers.

“There’s so many different things, obstacles, that are in the way,” she explains.

Chaney regularly shares tips on flying as a plus-size person on her TikTok channel and says that one of the questions she’s asked the most is, “What do I do if the seatbelt does not fit?”

“It surprises me every time that many people don’t know that seat belt extenders exist,” she adds. “And that they’re available on all flights.”

Chaney admits that having to ask for a seat belt extender “isn’t always the most comfortable experience,” particularly when faced with hostile passengers, or even flight attendants, on some occasions.

Constant challenges

“The stereotypes that surround plus-size travelers, and the hostility towards us when we’re traveling by plane is honestly horrendous,” she adds.

“It can just be such an uncomfortable experience. People treat us very much differently.”

While Chaney stresses that much of the feedback she’s received since launching her petition has been hugely positive, she admits that she’s been subject to abuse, and even death threats, from members of the public.

“I have chosen to focus on the positivity and support,” she adds.

Earlier this year, content creator and plus size travel expert Kirsty Leanne went viral after posting a video of herself struggling to fit in an airplane seat while flying with a budget airline.

Leanne, who is also the founder of website Plus Size Travel Too , says she was shocked by the sheer volume of negative comments she received after sharing the clip, which detailed many of the problems she and other plus-size travelers face while onboard a plane.

“I was sharing my experience with the airlines and showing other plus-size travelers what to expect, so I didn’t expect so many people to think that the points I made were complaints of any kind,” Leanne tells CNN Travel via email.

“I thought I would get one or two negative comments as I always do with videos talking about being plus-size, but not to the extent that I did.”

Over the past two decades, the width of the average seat has shrunk from 18.5 to 17 inches. Meanwhile, according to a study by the World Obesity Federation , around 38% of the world population are overweight or obese.

“This [shrinking seats] has had such a negative impact on plus-size travelers,” says Leanne. “So not only does it deter them from flying, but it also makes it incredibly uncomfortable for those that do choose to fly.

“With shrinking seats, there should be acknowledgement that plus-size people may require certain accommodations in order to allow them to fly safely and comfortably.”

When approached for comment by CNN, the FAA pointed to a 90-day public comment period, on minimum seat dimensions necessary for airline passenger safety, which was held last year.

“The agency is reviewing the thousands of comments it received on whether current seat size and spacing affect passenger evacuation,” the FAA said in a statement.

In 2022, Flyers Rights, a nonprofit organization, petitioned the FAA to regulate a minimum seat size, citing concerns about medical risks, including blood clotting, due to limited space, among other issues.

However, the petition was denied by a US appeals court earlier this year.

For Lukacs, decreasing airplane seat sizes are something that all travelers, not just those who are plus sized, should be troubled by.

“It is a concern, because being crammed in a very small seat could, apart from your comfort,  also affect your health, in terms of risks of deep vein thrombosis,” he notes.

“I’m not sure what the science is on that today, but I could see that being a problem. And also, we’re not cattle.

“We do expect, when we board a plane, to be treated with some reasonable level of respect.”

Back in 2013, Samoa Air, the flag carrier of Samoa, previously known as Polynesian Airlines, became the first airline to begin weighing passengers at the airport.

And last month, Air New Zealand confirmed that it will be weighing passengers as part of a “passenger weight survey,” to calculate data on the weight load and distribution for planes.

The national carrier of New Zealand has stressed that the survey is voluntary.

Chaney, who last took a plane ride in April 2022, says she’s most comfortable flying with Southwest Airlines, explaining that the airline’s “customer of size and extra seat policy,” which stipulates that passengers who require extra room can purchase another seat at the time of booking and claim the money back after contacting customer service.

Open hostility

Plus-size content creator Kirsty Leanne regularly shares the experiences she faces while traveling. - Courtesy Kirsty Leanne

When she flies with her partner Jake, who is also plus sized, the couple have to decide whether to buy four seats and sit apart, or purchase three seats between them and “just have it be a little bit of a tight fit.”

“We also make sure that our flights are only six or seven hours max, because we can’t use the restroom comfortably on the plane,” adds Chaney, who says that Jake has had passengers refuse to sit next to them.

Like Chaney, Leanne feels that it’s important to share her experiences, good and bad, while traveling, and hopes that other plus size travelers, who might be wary of getting on a plane, will see that “there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Although it may be incredibly daunting and overwhelming to travel in a larger body, please do not let the experience of flying while fat put you off traveling,” she says.

“There are so many incredible things to see out there and I promise you, it’s worth it.”

According to Chaney, one of the biggest misconceptions about plus size travelers is the notion that they don’t consider how much space they take up.

“They [other travelers] think that we want to invade their space, or that we don’t care if we’re invading their space, or encroaching upon their space, especially in air travel,” she says.

“And that’s where a lot of the blatant hostility will come from. When in reality, so many people that I talk to, speak about how they try to shrink themselves.

“They try to lean up against the window. They try to make themselves as small as possible when traveling by plane, simply so that they don’t offend somebody else. So that they don’t have to face hostility or embarrassment.

“I know it’s something I think about all the time in life, no matter where I am.”

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

A Guide to Plus-Size Traveling, With Tips From 2 Experts

E veryone deserves to explore the world, regardless of size. Yet many plus-size travelers struggle to find inclusive and comfortable options while vacationing.

Whether it's cramped airplane seats , travel excursions that don't account for diverse body types, or hotel rooms that lack the necessary accommodations, traveling while plus size does not come without its challenges. With the right preparation and research, however, traveling does not have to be an anxiety-inducing experience simply because of the size of your body.

Below, PS spoke with two plus-size travel experts to help all vacationers feel more confident traveling. With their first-hand experience and guidance, you'll be ready to take on your next vacation with ease.

The Best Travel Tips for Plus-Size Travelers

The first thing you should do before booking a vacation anywhere is research. "Investing time in research helps you feel prepared, save money, and minimize potential challenges for a more enjoyable journey," plus-size travel expert and content creator Jae'lynn Chaney says. Prior to your trip, she recommends looking into the location you want to travel to, the airline, the hotel, and any activities you may be interested in. To make things more comprehensive, here are some key components to consider for every part of your trip.

When Deciding on Location

Unfortunately, not all destinations are plus-size friendly, Chaney says. "Many destinations feature uneven terrain, steep hills, or unpaved paths, which can pose challenges for plus-size individuals - especially those with mobility issues," she adds. Some places with older infrastructure may also lack modern accessibility features like ramps or elevators.

For this reason, Chaney recommends "researching how easy it is to get around the destination, including public transportation, sidewalks, and attractions." You can also watch videos on TikTok or Instagram to get a "good idea of what to expect," Kirsty Leanne, the owner of the Plus Size Travel Too travel blog, recommends. "It's the most accurate way to see things in advance."

That said, don't let your size stop you from traveling to any location, even if it's not the most accommodating. It's your vacation, and you can tailor your itinerary by staying in a hotel that accommodates your size or picking activities that match your mobility level. In Leanne's experience, she notes, "a lot of places I didn't think would be plus size friendly actually ended up surprising me."

Chaney says the most travel-friendly places in her experience have been Las Vegas; Maui, Hawaii; Toronto; and Barcelona, Spain. "These destinations are just a few examples of places that are known for their plus-size travel friendliness, offering inclusive amenities, accessible facilities, and a welcoming atmosphere for travelers of all sizes," she adds.

Leanne, meanwhile, enjoyed Mexico. "Everyone was so friendly and welcoming," she says, "and I didn't feel like my size was ever an issue."

When Packing

There are a few key items Chaney recommends to always pack for your vacations:

Compression socks , to prevent swelling and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Epsom salt , which helps with pain relief and swelling

An anti-chafe remedy , like petroleum jelly or Megababe . Biker shorts also work!

Supportive shoes for walking

A seat cushion for extra support on your flight or drive

When Booking Your Stay

Inquire about room dimensions and bed-weight limits when choosing where you'll stay, Chaney says. You can call the hotel directly or look this up on the hotel's website. Also, if mobility is an issue for you, opt for a hotel, Airbnb, or other accommodation that either has a working elevator or sits on the ground floor.

If you have any concerns about booking a hotel room, advocate for yourself. "Communicate your needs and preferences to the hotel," Chaney says. Depending on what the request is, they may be able to help you.

When Flying

When booking a flight, Chaney recommends looking for airlines that offer a "customer of size" policy, like Southwest. The airline allows customers who "encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s)" to "proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat(s) is available." Per the Southwest policy, you can either pay for both seats upfront, and then, following the flight, contact the airline for a refund for one seat, or you can discuss your seating needs with the customer service agent at the departure gate. Just note that if the flight is full, a customer service agent may not be able to accommodate your request.

If you're looking to book outside Southwest, look into airlines with seat upgrades that offer more leg room, like premium economy seats or business class, Chaney says. If you don't want to spend additional money, however, Chaney recommends sitting in an aisle seat. Whatever you decide, most airlines will have their seat dimensions listed on their website if it's helpful to know what the space will look like before entering the flight.

Once on the flight, if you think you may need a seatbelt extender, ask the flight attendant immediately upon boarding the plane. "Asking when you board is easier, as they'll either hand it to you there and then, or bring it to you in your seat," Leanne says. Do not bring your own seat belt extender though, as it may not be FAA-approved.

Lastly, if booking a long flight, Chaney recommends choosing a flight option with layovers. If you're a plus-size traveler who can't fit comfortably in the plane lavatory, this allows you to have bathroom breaks when you need it.

When Driving

If you're renting a car, pick larger-sized vehicles since these "accommodate plus-size travelers better," Chaney says. Unlike when flying, you can purchase and bring your own universal seat belt extender if you want some additional comfiness while in the car. This seat belt extender on Amazon is easily adjustable and extends 14 inches.

If you're driving to your destination and using your own car, take as many breaks as you need during the trip to stretch and move your body.

When Planning Your Itinerary

Whether you want to do an activity like scuba diving, horseback riding, or getting a massage, look for activities that are suitable for people of all body types and abilities. "Find tours, attractions, and experiences that prioritize inclusivity and provide comfortable seating or equipment for everyone," Chaney says. She also recommends you "check the weight limits on activities and excursions beforehand to ensure a smooth experience."

If sightseeing is more your thing, understand your limitations and mobility restrictions. "While some individuals may be able to navigate challenging terrain or historic sites with ease, others may face greater difficulties due to their size or mobility challenges," Chaney says. For this reason, do some research on the sightseeing destination to know how far you would need to walk, how many steps there are, and what people's general review of the experience is.

When eating out, it's never a bad idea to call the restaurant beforehand to ask about their chairs. Prioritize restaurants that have booth options or chairs with no arms on them. (And if you decide to grab a bite to eat with no notice, don't be afraid to specifically ask the staff for a booth or chair with no arms.)

"By researching accessibility options, accommodation features, and activity suitability beforehand, individuals can make informed decisions about where to travel and how to plan their trips effectively," Chaney says.

Additional Resources

While it's normal to feel anxious or stressed planning for a trip, focus on how much fun you'll have discovering a new destination instead of thinking about the potential challenges, Chaney says. And if you're ever uncomfortable, don't be afraid to speak up for yourself. "For me, it's all about advocating for yourself. Whether that's asking for a more comfortable seat in a restaurant or asking for a different seat on a flight, the more you start advocating for yourself the easier travel will be," says Leanne.

For additional resources, check out Leanne's website, Plus Size Travel Too , which is a resource and hub for plus-size travelers, and Chaney's TikTok , which contains additional videos on plus-size resources and advice.

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‘We’re paying twice for the same experience’: Plus-size travelers hit out at ‘discriminatory’ airline seat policies

By Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN

(CNN) — While the average width of an airplane seat has been shrinking for decades, bodies are getting larger around the world, with experts predicting that over half of the global population will be overweight or obese by 2035.

This ultimately means that more and more passengers are likely to be finding it difficult to fit into airplane seats, and some may be hit in the pocket as a result.

Policies around plus-size travelers tend to vary from airline to airline. While a number, including United Airlines , require “customers who require extra seating” to buy an additional seat in advance, some refund the purchase if one or more seats are available after takeoff. However, there is no universal standard as such.

Different airlines have different guidelines. Some have no guidelines at all, meaning that even well-informed travelers can have trouble keeping up.

Policy confusion

In April, plus-size travel influencer Jae’lynn Chaney launched a petition urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate all airlines for a comprehensive customer-of-size policy that “prioritizes the comfort and well-being of all passengers.”

“We need the policies to be a little bit more standardized,” Chaney tells CNN Travel. “At the bare minimum, we need every airline to have a policy that tells people of size how to navigate their airline.”

Charles Leocha, co-founder of airline consumer advocacy group Travelers United , shares this sentiment.

“All plus-sized passengers are appreciative of knowing the rules,” he adds. “It eliminates many misunderstandings.”

Outside of the US, the Australian Consumer Law prohibits airlines from charging passengers different amounts based on their body sizes.

Meanwhile, the “one person, one fare” (1p1f) policy, which prevented domestic airlines Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet from charging passengers requiring an extra seat for more than one fare, was passed by the Canadian Transportation Agency in 2008.

Obesity is recognized as a disability in Canada, and passengers must be considered “functionally disabled by obesity,” to meet the requirements for a free extra seat.

However, the rule only applies to domestic flights, which means that plus-size travelers still need to buy an extra seat when going on an international flight.

One of the various demands listed in Chaney’s petition, which had received over 17,000 signatures at the time of writing, is that all airlines “provide accessible additional seats to customers-of-size” who may require more space or “encroach onto another passenger’s space.”

“These passengers should be provided with an extra free seat, or even multiple seats, to accommodate their needs and ensure their comfort and safety, as well as those around them, during the flight,” reads the petition .

For Chaney, who has needed a seat belt extender from a young age, the issue is a hugely personal one.

“I kind of knew that planes were not built for people like me by the time I was 12,” she says, recalling trying to tuck her seatbelt underneath her stomach so that flight attendants couldn’t see that she hadn’t been able to buckle it.

“There was a really tight fit on the seats. And being such a young child at the time, traveling without my parents was really stressful for me. Because I didn’t know how to advocate for myself.”

Chaney feels that airline policies that require plus size travelers to buy an extra seat while flying are “discriminatory,” pointing out that passengers like her are “paying twice for the same experience.”

“People with smaller bodies get to pay one fare to get to their destination,” she says. “And we have to pay two fares, even though we’re getting the same experience. If anything, our experiences are a little bit more challenging.”

United Airlines, one of the US airlines that requires larger passengers to purchase an extra seat, declined to comment.

Chaney dismisses suggestions that plus-size travelers are asking for special treatment, stressing that they are simply “asking for the same dignity and respect from an airline that someone in a smaller body gets.”

Human rights issue?

Canadian air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs says he views the practice of charging larger passengers for two seats as a human rights issue.

“Being a large-size person is not a choice, as many people mistakenly believe,” Lukacs tells CNN Travel.

“There is, unfortunately, a lot of negative attention and prejudice against plus-sized people.

“But it’s not as if someone is getting up in the morning and making a decision that they’re going to be a large person.

“So through that lens of human rights, I don’t see any justification for charging these people a double fare.”

Lukacs goes on to point out that airlines don’t provide discounts to people who are smaller sized, or even children, even though they’re much lighter, and therefore “less fuel is being consumed to transport them.”

“I’d be very concerned to see this type of argument being advanced where immutable characteristics of a person are being used for assessing fees,” he adds. “It can be a slippery slope.”

According to Chaney, aside from being a “financial burden,” the prospect of paying for two seats is an added complication to an experience that is already very difficult for many plus sized travelers.

“There’s so many different things, obstacles, that are in the way,” she explains.

Chaney regularly shares tips on flying as a plus-size person on her TikTok channel and says that one of the questions she’s asked the most is, “What do I do if the seatbelt does not fit?”

“It surprises me every time that many people don’t know that seat belt extenders exist,” she adds. “And that they’re available on all flights.”

Chaney admits that having to ask for a seat belt extender “isn’t always the most comfortable experience,” particularly when faced with hostile passengers, or even flight attendants, on some occasions.

Constant challenges

“The stereotypes that surround plus-size travelers, and the hostility towards us when we’re traveling by plane is honestly horrendous,” she adds.

“It can just be such an uncomfortable experience. People treat us very much differently.”

While Chaney stresses that much of the feedback she’s received since launching her petition has been hugely positive, she admits that she’s been subject to abuse, and even death threats, from members of the public.

“I have chosen to focus on the positivity and support,” she adds.

Earlier this year, content creator and plus size travel expert Kirsty Leanne went viral after posting a video of herself struggling to fit in an airplane seat while flying with a budget airline.

Leanne, who is also the founder of website Plus Size Travel Too , says she was shocked by the sheer volume of negative comments she received after sharing the clip, which detailed many of the problems she and other plus-size travelers face while onboard a plane.

“I was sharing my experience with the airlines and showing other plus-size travelers what to expect, so I didn’t expect so many people to think that the points I made were complaints of any kind,” Leanne tells CNN Travel via email.

“I thought I would get one or two negative comments as I always do with videos talking about being plus-size, but not to the extent that I did.”

Over the past two decades, the width of the average seat has shrunk from 18.5 to 17 inches. Meanwhile, according to a study by the World Obesity Federation , around 38% of the world population are overweight or obese.

“This [shrinking seats] has had such a negative impact on plus-size travelers,” says Leanne. “So not only does it deter them from flying, but it also makes it incredibly uncomfortable for those that do choose to fly.

“With shrinking seats, there should be acknowledgement that plus-size people may require certain accommodations in order to allow them to fly safely and comfortably.”

When approached for comment by CNN, the FAA pointed to a 90-day public comment period, on minimum seat dimensions necessary for airline passenger safety, which was held last year.

“The agency is reviewing the thousands of comments it received on whether current seat size and spacing affect passenger evacuation,” the FAA said in a statement.

In 2022, Flyers Rights, a nonprofit organization, petitioned the FAA to regulate a minimum seat size, citing concerns about medical risks, including blood clotting, due to limited space, among other issues.

However, the petition was denied by a US appeals court earlier this year.

For Lukacs, decreasing airplane seat sizes are something that all travelers, not just those who are plus sized, should be troubled by.

“It is a concern, because being crammed in a very small seat could, apart from your comfort,  also affect your health, in terms of risks of deep vein thrombosis,” he notes.

“I’m not sure what the science is on that today, but I could see that being a problem. And also, we’re not cattle.

“We do expect, when we board a plane, to be treated with some reasonable level of respect.”

Back in 2013, Samoa Air, the flag carrier of Samoa, previously known as Polynesian Airlines, became the first airline to begin weighing passengers at the airport.

And last month, Air New Zealand confirmed that it will be weighing passengers as part of a “passenger weight survey,” to calculate data on the weight load and distribution for planes.

The national carrier of New Zealand has stressed that the survey is voluntary.

Chaney, who last took a plane ride in April 2022, says she’s most comfortable flying with Southwest Airlines, explaining that the airline’s “customer of size and extra seat policy,” which stipulates that passengers who require extra room can purchase another seat at the time of booking and claim the money back after contacting customer service.

Open hostility

When she flies with her partner Jake, who is also plus sized, the couple have to decide whether to buy four seats and sit apart, or purchase three seats between them and “just have it be a little bit of a tight fit.”

“We also make sure that our flights are only six or seven hours max, because we can’t use the restroom comfortably on the plane,” adds Chaney, who says that Jake has had passengers refuse to sit next to them.

Like Chaney, Leanne feels that it’s important to share her experiences, good and bad, while traveling, and hopes that other plus size travelers, who might be wary of getting on a plane, will see that “there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Although it may be incredibly daunting and overwhelming to travel in a larger body, please do not let the experience of flying while fat put you off traveling,” she says.

“There are so many incredible things to see out there and I promise you, it’s worth it.”

According to Chaney, one of the biggest misconceptions about plus size travelers is the notion that they don’t consider how much space they take up.

“They [other travelers] think that we want to invade their space, or that we don’t care if we’re invading their space, or encroaching upon their space, especially in air travel,” she says.

“And that’s where a lot of the blatant hostility will come from. When in reality, so many people that I talk to, speak about how they try to shrink themselves.

“They try to lean up against the window. They try to make themselves as small as possible when traveling by plane, simply so that they don’t offend somebody else. So that they don’t have to face hostility or embarrassment.

“I know it’s something I think about all the time in life, no matter where I am.”

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Breaking news, plus-size influencer jae-lynn chaney rips plane seat policies after demanding other flyers pay for extra seat.

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A plus-size travel influencer is demanding that airlines change their “discriminatory” policies that make larger flyers pay “twice for the same experience” — admitting that making such a change may make fares for everyone more expensive.

Jae-lynn Chaney, who made headlines in April after starting the Change.org petition  “Demand for the FAA to Protect Plus-Sized Customers,” doubled down on being discriminated against while flying due to her size.

“People with smaller bodies get to pay one fare to get to their destination,” Chaney, who has to buy an extra seat while flying, told CNN Travel.

“We have to pay two fares, even though we’re getting the same experience. If anything, our experiences are a little bit more challenging.”

While Chaney has held firm in her demands, in April she admitted that if her petition’s demands were met, ticket prices for all customers would likely increase due to demand.

“It is difficult to provide a one-size-fits-all answer to the question of who will pay for the policies mentioned in the petition,”  she told Fox News after her petition gained traction .

“However, what is clear is that the mistreatment and discrimination of plus-size travelers is unacceptable and must be addressed.”

She added, “Implementing policies to accommodate plus-size passengers may come with associated costs, but these costs must be weighed against the benefits of creating a more welcoming and inclusive travel experience.”

In her petition, Chaney urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate that all airlines create a comprehensive customer-of-size policy that “prioritizes the comfort and well-being of all passengers.”

Chaney, as well as other plus-size travelers and travel experts, are calling on airlines in the US to standardize their policies.

Canadian air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs told CNN he considers the practice of charging larger passengers for two seats a human rights issue.

“Being a large-size person is not a choice, as many people mistakenly believe,” Lukacs said.

“There is, unfortunately, a lot of negative attention and prejudice against plus-size people.”

Lukacs noted, “It’s not as if someone is getting up in the morning and making a decision that they’re going to be a large person. So through that lens of human rights, I don’t see any justification for charging these people a double fare.”

He went on to say that airlines don’t provide discounts to smaller-size passengers or children.

Aside from the financial burden of purchasing two seats, Chaney says there are many other difficulties she faces as a plus-size traveler, especially when faced with hostile passengers or flight attendants.

“The stereotypes that surround plus-size travelers, and the hostility towards us when we’re traveling by plane is honestly horrendous,” Chaney said, noting that she receives similar hostility when sharing her experiences online.

Another plus-size travel expert and content creator, Kristy Leanne, who recently went viral after posting a video about the problems she and other plus-size people face on planes, has also received a barrage of negative comments for sharing her experiences.

“I was sharing my experience with airlines and showing other plus-size travelers what to expect, so I didn’t expect so many people to think that the points I made were complaints of any kind,” Leanne told CNN.

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“I thought I would get one or two negative comments as I always do with videos talking about being plus-size, but not to the extent that I did.”

A major concern for many plus-size travelers is shrinking seat sizes. Over the last two decades, the average width of an airplane seat has shrunk from 18.5 inches to 17 inches, even as 38% of the world’s population is either overweight or obese, according to the World Obesity Federation.

According to Lukacs, smaller seat sizes should concern all travelers, not just those who are plus-size.

“It is a concern, because being crammed in a very small seat could, apart from your comfort,  also affect your health, in terms of risks of deep vein thrombosis,” he said.

“I’m not sure what the science is on that today, but I could see that being a problem. And also, we’re not cattle.”

Lukacs added: “We do expect, when we board a plane, to be treated with some reasonable level of respect.”

While Chaney and others advocate for the FAA to make a change, outside the US, including in Australia and Canada, there are laws preventing passengers from being charged different amounts based on their body sizes for domestic flights.

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Concerns about a possible Iranian attack against Israel has prompted many diplomatic conversations around the globe.

Here are some developments on diplomacy around the threat of an attack:

• Iran's statement: The imperative for Tehran to "punish" Israel for the deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week might have been avoided if the attack had been condemned at the United Nations, Iran’s Mission to the UN said Thursday.
• US and UK diplomacy: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the foreign ministers of Turkey, China and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night and Thursday morning to tell them that countries should be urging Iran not to escalate the conflict in the Middle East after  threats made by Tehran against Israel,  according to a State Department spokesperson. The top US general for the Middle East is also in Israel . Additionally, Britain's foreign secretary warned his Iranian counterpart on Thursday that Tehran “must not draw” the Middle East into a wider conflict .
• Israel receives US support: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The US officials expressed the country's support for Israel against Iranian threats. Gallant warned that such an attack could lead to a regional escalation.
• Travel restrictions: The US State Department restricted the travel of US government personnel in Israel in the wake of public threats against Israel by Iran. “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,” the alert noted. US officials  are on high alert  for a potential retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel.

Meanwhile, here's some other updates:

• Hamas on hostages: A member of Hamas' political bureau said   a prisoner-hostage exchange is being discussed as part of larger ceasefire negotiations. "Part of negotiations is to reach a ceasefire agreement to have enough time and safety to collect final and more precise data" on the hostages held in Gaza, Basem Naim said in a statement on Thursday. "Because they (hostages) are in different palaces, (being held) by different groups, some of them are under the rubble killed with our own people, and we negotiate to get heavy equipment for this purpose."
• Updates on aid to Gaza: It is clear that Israel is working to ramp up humanitarian aid to Gaza, but it has not yet implemented all of the measures it has announced, a top United Nations humanitarian official said. Aid coming in trucks from Israel has to be "segregated from water, from food, from medical items" before it goes into Gaza, said Jamie McGoldrick, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Jerusalem. “Getting 400 trucks from Kerem Shalom doesn't mean 400 trucks go into Gaza,” he said, adding that the logistical complications are numerous, and take time to resolve. He also said Israel’s restrictions on movement inside the strip complicate matters.

Anera charity resumes work in Gaza after pausing when Israeli strike killed 7 World Central Kitchen staff

From CNN's Tala Alrajjal and Mohammed Tawfeeq

American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) has resumed Gaza operations "after a temporary pause" following an airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers on April 1.

"As you know, the decision to temporarily pause our operations was not an easy one. We followed the direction of our staff in Gaza, who've faced death, loss, and destruction since the start of the war," Sean Carroll, the president and CEO of Anera, said in a statement on Thursday. "After the killing of Anera staff member Mousa Shawwa , followed by the attack that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, we made the difficult but necessary decision to pause aid operations on April 2," Carroll added in the statement.

Carroll said Israeli authorities informed him during a meeting Thursday that "certain measures would be taken to protect humanitarian aid workers in Gaza – including Anera's staff."

"With the full support of our Gaza team, we have determined that the circumstances have changed sufficiently to resume our vital humanitarian work in Gaza," Carroll said. 

Anera on Thursday resumed "full operations in Gaza to deliver meals, food parcels, hygiene kits, tents, medical treatments, and more to families in dire need," according to the statement.

Iran says its imperative to punish Israel could have been avoided had UN Security Council condemned attack

From CNN’s Natalie Barr and Adam Pourahmadi

The imperative for Tehran to "punish" Israel for the deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week might have been avoided if the attack had been condemned at the United Nations, Iran’s Mission to the UN said Thursday.

“Had the UN Security Council condemned the Zionist regime’s reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus and subsequently brought to justice its perpetrators, the imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime might have been obviated," the  mission said on X.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack on April 1, according to a statement from the UN spokesperson Stephan Dujarric. A Security Council discussion was held on April 2 to discuss the attack, but differences among members prevented any formal action or condemnation from taking place.

The United States is on high alert and actively preparing for a “significant” attack by Iran targeting Israeli or American assets in the region  in response to the strike in Damascus  that killed top Iranian commanders.

UK foreign secretary warns Iran not to draw Middle East into wider conflict

From CNN's Natalie Barr

Britain's foreign secretary warned his Iranian counterpart on Thursday that Tehran “must not draw” the Middle East into a wider conflict following a series of escalating threats made by Iran toward Israel.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron told Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that the United Kingdom was "deeply concerned about the potential for miscalculation leading to further violence. Iran should instead work to de-escalate and prevent further attacks," according to a post on X .

Iran's state-aligned Tasnim news agency on Thursday reported that Amir-Abdollahian had told Cameron that the silence from the UK and the United States following Israel’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week only served to encourage Israel to continue waging war in Gaza and expand its conflict in the region.

US and Israeli defense leaders discuss fears of Iranian attack

From CNN’s Michael Conte in Washington, DC, Tamar Michaelis in Jerusalem and Larry Register in Atlanta

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant today to “reaffirm the US ironclad commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies,” according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

The call comes a day after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel " must be punished and it will be" following a strike on an Iranian embassy compound in Syria that killed seven Iranian officials.

Israel “will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory,” the statement read, adding that the two defense leaders also discussed detailed preparations “for an Iranian attack against the State of Israel.”

Gallant said an Iranian attack on Israel could lead to a regional escalation.

It is the second discussion held between Gallant and Austin over the past week, according to the statement. Gallant expressed his appreciation for Austin’s personal commitment to the security of the State of Israel and for the deepening cooperation between the defense establishments of both countries, as well as between the Israel Defense Forces and US CENTCOM.

State Department restricts personnel travel in Israel amid concerns over Iranian threats

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

The US State Department has restricted the travel of US government personnel in Israel in the wake of public threats against Israel by Iran.

“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,” a  security alert  posted by the US Embassy Thursday said. “U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel.” “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,” the alert noted.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said he would not “speak to the specific assessments that led to us to restrict our employees and family members’ personal travel, but clearly we are monitoring the threat environment in the Middle East and specifically in Israel.”

“We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few days,” Miller said. “Israel is in a very tough neighborhood and we have been monitoring the security situation. You saw us slightly adjust for travel warnings at the beginning of this conflict and we conduct ongoing assessments all the time about the situation on the ground.”

US officials are on high alert for a potential retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel.

Hamas says ceasefire with Israel is essential to collect data on hostages held in Gaza by different groups

From CNN's Abeer Salman and Mohammed Tawfeeq

A member of Hamas' political bureau said   a prisoner-hostage exchange is being discussed as part of larger ceasefire negotiations.

"Part of negotiations is to reach a ceasefire agreement to have enough time and safety to collect final and more precise data" on the hostages held in Gaza Basem Naim said in a statement on Thursday. "Because they (hostages) are in different palaces, (being held) by different groups, some of them are under the rubble killed with our own people, and we negotiate to get heavy equipment for this purpose," he added.

Naim's statement was in response to questions from media outlets about whether Hamas has been rejecting the latest proposal, which was made in Cairo over the weekend, because it can not release 40 hostages in the first phase of a three-stage ceasefire deal.

According to an Israeli official and a source familiar with the discussions, Hamas indicated it is currently unable to identify and track down those 40 Israeli hostages, raising fears that more hostages may be dead than are publicly known. 

CNN's record of the conditions of the hostages also suggests there are fewer than 40 living hostages who meet the proposed criteria.

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What we know about unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S.

The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States reached 10.5 million in 2021, according to new Pew Research Center estimates. That was a modest increase over 2019 but nearly identical to 2017.

The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. in 2021 remained below its peak of 12.2 million in 2007. It was about the same size as in 2004 and lower than every year from 2005 to 2015.

The new estimates do not reflect changes that have occurred since apprehensions and expulsions of migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border started increasing in March 2021 . Migrant encounters at the border have since reached historic highs .

Pew Research Center undertook this research to understand ongoing changes in the size and characteristics of the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States. The Center has published estimates of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population for more than two decades. The estimates presented in this research are the Center’s latest, adding new and updated annual estimates for 2017 through 2021.

Center estimates of the unauthorized immigrant population use a “residual method.” It is similar to methods used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics and nongovernmental organizations, including the Center for Migration Studies and the Migration Policy Institute . Those organizations’ estimates are generally consistent with ours. Our estimates also align with official U.S. data sources, including birth records, school enrollment figures and tax data, as well as Mexican censuses and surveys.

Our “residual” method for estimating the nation’s unauthorized immigrant population includes these steps:

• Estimate the total number of immigrants living in the country in a particular year using data from U.S. censuses and government surveys such as the American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey.
• Estimate the number of immigrants living in the U.S. legally using official counts of immigrant and refugee admissions together with other demographic data (for example, death and out-migration rates).
• Subtract our estimate of lawful immigrants from our estimate of the total immigrant population . This provides an initial estimate of the unauthorized immigrant population .

Our final estimate of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population, as well as estimates for lawful immigrants, includes an upward adjustment. We do this because censuses and surveys tend to miss some people . Undercounts for immigrants, especially unauthorized immigrants, tend to be higher than for other groups. (Our 1990 estimate comes from work by Robert Warren and John Robert Warren; details can be found here .)

The term “unauthorized immigrant” reflects standard and customary usage by many academic researchers and policy analysts. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics also generally uses it. The term means the same thing as undocumented immigrants, illegal immigrants and illegal aliens.

For more details on how we produced our estimates, read the Methodology section of our November 2018 report on unauthorized immigrants.

The unauthorized immigrant population includes any immigrants not in the following groups:

• Immigrants admitted for lawful residence (i.e., green card admissions)
• People admitted formally as refugees
• People granted asylum
• Former unauthorized immigrants granted legal residence under the 1985 Immigration Reform and Control Act
• Immigrants admitted under any of categories 1-4 who have become naturalized U.S. citizens
• Individuals admitted as lawful temporary residents under specific visa categories

Read the Methodology section of our November 2018 report on unauthorized immigrants for more details.

Pew Research Center’s estimate of unauthorized immigrants includes more than 2 million immigrants who have temporary permission to be in the United States. (Some also have permission to work in the country.) These immigrants account for about 20% of our national estimate of 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants for 2021.

Although these immigrants have permission to be in the country, they could be subject to deportation if government policy changes. Other organizations and the federal government also include these immigrants in their estimates of the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population.

Immigrants can receive temporary permission to be in the U.S. through the following ways:

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

In 2021, there were about 500,000 unauthorized immigrants with Temporary Protected Status . This status provides protection from removal or deportation to individuals who cannot safely return to their country because of civil unrest, violence or natural disaster.

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) is a similar program that grants protection from removal. The number of immigrants with DED is much smaller than the number with TPS.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program that offers protection from deportation to individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children before June 15, 2007. As of the end of 2021, there were slightly more than 600,000 DACA beneficiaries , largely immigrants from Mexico.

Asylum applicants

Individuals who have applied for asylum but are awaiting a ruling are not legal residents yet but cannot be deported. There are two types of asylum claims, defensive and affirmative .

Defensive asylum applications are generally filed by individuals facing deportation or removal from the U.S. These are processed by the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. At the end of 2021, there were almost 600,000 applications pending.

Affirmative asylum claims are made by individuals already in the U.S. who are not in the process of being deported or removed. These claims are handled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). At the end of 2021, more than 400,000 applications for affirmative asylum were pending, some covering more than one applicant.

Here are key findings about how the U.S. unauthorized immigrant population changed from 2017 to 2021:

• The most common country of birth for unauthorized immigrants is Mexico. However, the population of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico dropped by 900,000 from 2017 to 2021 , to 4.1 million.
• There were increases in unauthorized immigrants from nearly every other region of the world – Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Among U.S. states, only Florida and Washington saw increases to their unauthorized immigrant populations , while California and Nevada saw decreases. In all other states, unauthorized immigrant populations were unchanged.
• 4.6% of U.S. workers in 2021 were unauthorized immigrants , virtually identical to the share in 2017.

Trends in the U.S. immigrant population

The U.S. foreign-born population was 14.1% of the nation’s population in 2021. That was very slightly higher than in the last five years but below the record high of 14.8% in 1890.

As of 2021, the nation’s 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants represented about 3% of the total U.S. population and 22% of the foreign-born population. These shares were among the lowest since the 1990s.

Between 2007 and 2021, the unauthorized immigrant population decreased by 1.75 million, or 14%.

Meanwhile, the lawful immigrant population grew by more than 8 million, a 29% increase, and the number of naturalized U.S. citizens grew by 49%. In 2021, naturalized citizens accounted for about half (49%) of all immigrants in the country.

Where unauthorized immigrants come from

Unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S. come from many parts of the world, with Mexico being the most common origin country.

The origin countries for unauthorized immigrants have changed since the population peaked in 2007, before the Great Recession slowed immigration. Here are some highlights of those changes:

The number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico living in the U.S. (4.1 million in 2021) was the lowest since the 1990s. Mexico accounted for 39% of the nation’s unauthorized immigrants in 2021, by far the smallest share on record .

The decrease in unauthorized immigrants from Mexico reflects several factors:

• A broader decline in migration from Mexico to the U.S.
• Mexican immigrants to the U.S. continuing to return to Mexico
• Expanded opportunities for lawful immigration from Mexico and other countries, especially for temporary agricultural workers.

The rest of the world

The total number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. from countries other than Mexico has grown rapidly. In 2021, this population was 6.4 million, up by 900,000 from 2017.

Almost every region in the world had a notable increase in the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. from 2007 to 2021. The largest increases were from Central America (240,000) and South and East Asia (180,000).

After Mexico, the countries of origin with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in the U.S. in 2021 were:

• El Salvador (800,000)
• India (725,000)
• Guatemala (700,000)
• Honduras (525,000)

India, Guatemala and Honduras all saw increases from 2017.

The Northern Triangle

Three Central American countries – El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala – together represented 2.0 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2021, or almost 20% of the total. The unauthorized immigrant population from the Northern Triangle grew by about 250,000 from 2017 and about 700,000 from 2007.

Other origin countries

Venezuela was the country of birth for 190,000 U.S. unauthorized immigrants in 2021. This population saw particularly fast growth, from 130,000 in 2017 and 55,000 in 2007.

Among countries with the largest numbers of U.S. unauthorized immigrants, India, Brazil, Canada and former Soviet Union countries all experienced growth from 2017 to 2021.

Some origin countries with significant unauthorized immigrant populations showed no change, notably China (375,000) and the Dominican Republic (230,000).

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrant population by region and selected country of birth (and margins of error), 1990-2021 (Excel)

U.S. states of residence of unauthorized immigrants

The unauthorized immigrant population in most U.S. states stayed steady from 2017 to 2021. However, four states saw significant changes:

• Florida (+80,000)
• Washington (+60,000)
• California (-150,000)
• Nevada (-25,000)

States with the most unauthorized immigrants

The six states with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations in 2021 were:

• California (1.9 million)
• Texas (1.6 million)
• Florida (900,000)
• New York (600,000)
• New Jersey (450,000)
• Illinois (400,000)

These states have consistently had the most unauthorized immigrants since 1990 and earlier .

At the same time, the unauthorized immigrant population has become less geographically concentrated. In 2021, these six states were home to 56% of the nation’s unauthorized immigrants, down from 80% in 1990.

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrant population for states (and margins of error), 1990-2021 (Excel)

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrants and characteristics for states, 2021 (Excel)

Unauthorized immigrants in the labor force

The share of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. workforce was slightly less than 5% in 2021, compared with 3% of the total U.S. population.

Demographics help explain the difference: The unauthorized immigrant population includes relatively few children or elderly adults, groups that tend not to be in the labor force.

Overall, about 7.8 million unauthorized immigrants were in the U.S. labor force in 2021. That was up slightly from 2019 but smaller than every year from 2007 through 2015.

Detailed table: Unauthorized immigrants in the labor force for states, 2021 (Excel)

Here are some additional findings about unauthorized immigrants as a share of the workforce nationwide and in certain states:

• Since 2003, unauthorized immigrants have made up 4.4% to 5.4% of all U.S. workers, a relatively narrow range.
• Fewer than 1% of workers in Maine, Montana, Vermont and West Virginia in 2021 were unauthorized immigrants.
• Nevada (9%) and Texas (8%) had the highest shares of unauthorized immigrants in the workforce.
• Immigrant Populations
• Immigration Issues
• Unauthorized Immigration

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