Four ways you can feel empowered as a plus-size traveller this summer – according to experts

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Travelling isn’t always easy for plus-size people. There can be accessibility issues, such as seats that are too small, but also lingering societal biases, that make the whole experience feel like it’s made for someone else. It can seem like what the travel industry offers routinely fails to meet people’s needs.

As summer approaches and travel plans begin to take shape, it is important to remember that everyone, regardless of body size and shape, deserves the right to travel. If you’re a plus-size person, should feel able to participate fully in the freedom and adventure of exploration and leisure.

The industry still has progress to make in becoming more inclusive. But every journey taken helps shift societal perceptions and challenge ideas surrounding the ideal tourist body.

In our research, we demonstrate how plus-size travellers can travel but also do so confidently. Here are four ways you can challenge travel barriers and embrace body-positive adventures.

No one’s 20s and 30s look the same. You might be saving for a mortgage or just struggling to pay rent. You could be swiping dating apps, or trying to understand childcare. No matter your current challenges, our Quarter Life series has articles to share in the group chat, or just to remind you that you’re not alone.

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1. Embrace your right to explore

Whether it’s slim, tanned beach bodies in advertisements or curated Instagram posts showcasing chiselled abs against exotic backdrops, we have allowed narrow societal norms to dictate who deserves to travel for too long. If you’re a plus-size person, you might be given the impression that you don’t deserve to occupy that space and explore.

It might seem small but simply “taking up space” and doing the things you want is so important when it comes to building confidence and finding body positivity when travelling. Allowing yourself to enjoy travelling and leisure activities can influence the wider travel community, creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for other plus-size people.

The more plus-size people confidently and joyfully take up space, the more normalised it will become. You might also be surprised that when you do give yourself permission, how many other plus-size people there also are travelling.

2. Connect with supportive, online communities

You are not alone in navigating challenging travel experiences that contribute to the continued exclusion of alternative travel bodies. You will find people who can sympathise and validate your experiences and who can support you in online spaces.

Social networking apps such as TikTok and Instagram host many supportive online communities that challenge stereotypical and narrow ideas surrounding the “perfect” holiday body. While these apps and other social networking sites have and continue to play a role in promoting narrow beauty standards, they have also become powerful platforms for counter-narratives that celebrate and represent all body types.

Staying connected is a great way to access travel tips and suggestions. Trending hashtags such as #plussizetravel and #plussizetraveltoo give you direct access to content and communities that share your travel experiences and needs. Whether you actively participate or silently observe, there is value in seeking out such support.

3. Plan

While some appropriate amendments, including seatbelt extenders on aircraft and size-friendly policies, exist, they often lack consistency across the industry. This further contributes to the structural constraints and societal barriers that exclude plus-size travellers.

There are loads of online resources offering valuable information and advice. There are also online communities signposting plus-size friendly airlines (such as Southwest Airlines), tourism spaces, fashion and products. Planning may reduce transportation-related discomforts and emotional and physical wellbeing challenges while travelling.

4. Celebrate, document and share your travel experience

Plus-size travellers are often overlooked, with their voices and bodies frequently excluded from representation. It is wonderful that the body positivity movement has led to whole online worlds of people promoting acceptance and appreciation of all body types. This sort of content challenges societal norms surrounding narrow beauty standards and advocates for greater inclusivity. However, real change relies on the visibility and advocacy of people within this movement.

Your voice and experiences are essential in helping the public understand your challenges. By speaking up and sharing the changes you want to see, whether in infrastructure or society, you help others become aware of needs they may not have previously understood. Engaging through sharing your travel experience contributes to community support, ultimately breaking down the stigma around the plus-size body.