Travel influencer Jaelynn Chaney is calling out Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) for what she describes as blatant discrimination, after she was allegedly denied wheelchair assistance due to her size—a move that raises concerns about disability rights, medical support liability, and inclusive travel policies in public transit systems.
The 28-year-old, who has over 140,000 TikTok followers, staged a protest at the airport, holding a sign that read “Wheelchair Access for All” and sharing a video detailing her experience. Her protest sparked a broader conversation about accessible healthcare accommodations and the legal obligations of public service providers.
Medical Crisis Triggered by Lack of Support
Chaney, who identifies as a 6XL, says she faced a distressing ordeal while flying into SeaTac in May 2024. According to her, an airport staff member assigned to provide assistance allegedly refused to help once they saw who they were expected to assist—raising potential concerns around healthcare discrimination and emergency response negligence in high-traffic facilities.
“She saw me, made a face, and walked away,” Chaney recounted in the video. “All the other passengers received assistance but I was left behind.”
Chaney, who can walk but regularly requests wheelchair support for long distances due to oxygen-related health conditions and chronic mobility issues, says the airport incident forced her to walk one of the longest jet bridges she’s ever encountered. This could have led to serious respiratory complications, which often result in emergency hospital visits and significant medical billing costs for uninsured travelers.
“This was my first time flying without oxygen,” she explained. “That employee made assumptions about what I could physically handle and decided not to help. That’s not just bad service, that’s dangerous.”
@goodmorningbritain
