A model who called for larger seats on planes has been compelled to defend herself against harsh online trolls.
Gracie Bon, a popular Instagram influencer from Panama, boasts nearly seven million followers. She shares a mix of fashion, lifestyle, and travel content on her social media, gaining fame for her stunning looks.
She previously went viral for sharing her unrecognizable “before” photos, but now the influencer is facing backlash after criticizing airlines for their seat sizes.
The debate over whether larger passengers should pay for an extra plane seat has long been divisive.
Recently, plus-size travel influencer Jaelynn Chaney sparked controversy by claiming that airline policies are ‘discriminatory’ towards bigger travelers.
Chaney argues that it’s unjust for plus-sized individuals to pay more than slimmer passengers. She shared, “Being forced to fit into just one seat can cause discomfort and make passengers vulnerable to mistreatment from others, including hurtful comments, judgmental looks, and even refusal to sit next to them.
“This mistreatment of plus-size travelers is unacceptable, and it underscores the need for better policies that safeguard the dignity and rights of all passengers, regardless of size.”
“Unfortunately, plus-size passengers frequently face discomfort and discrimination when flying. The absence of a uniform customer-of-size airline policy is unacceptable and must be addressed,” Chaney continued.
Now, Panamanian model Bon has also weighed in, stating that planes “should have bigger seats.”
The influencer has turned to social media to share the challenges she faces as a plus-sized woman while flying, including the difficulty of fastening her seatbelt.
Bon shared, “So today I had a flight, and even though I was flying in first class, I couldn’t fit on the airplane – so this is a petition for all the airlines to make it easier for big girls like me to fly.
“It’s not my fault I have an a*** this big. Please just make the seats bigger.”
In the caption, she added, “Can someone give me an ACTUAL solution,” along with a weeping emoji.
While the post has sparked hundreds of comments, not everyone agrees with Bon’s stance.
One troll commented, “Buy two seats instead of one, clearly you’ve got plenty of money to afford them.”
Another added, “Easy to say, but once they make the seats bigger, there will be fewer seats and higher prices, and then you’ll complain again, saying make it cheaper.”
A third commenter wrote, “Your choice, your problem.”
However, not everyone has been so harsh. Many have shown support, with one fan expressing, “It’s so not fair.” Another added, “Omg I wish I had the same problems,” alongside a peach emoji.
One person shared, “My butt’s not even as big as hers, and I still need half of the other seat… my hips spill over onto the person next to me… Seats are just too small.”
