Emily Jones, a prominent plus-size travel influencer, is challenging the travel industry to be more inclusive of curvier passengers.
Regularly jetting between Malta, the UK, and Helsinki, Jones uses her social media presence to spotlight the challenges plus-size travelers face—and to offer constructive advice on how airlines and hotels can create more welcoming, comfortable experiences for all body types.
Her mission is part of a growing movement pushing for greater inclusivity and accessibility across the travel sector.
Through her popular Instagram account, @miss__jones, Emily chronicles her globe-trotting adventures while inspiring people of all shapes and sizes to embrace travel without limits.
“I want to make travel easier for people of all shapes and sizes—and help them feel like they truly belong in every corner of the world,” Emily says. Her mission goes beyond logistics; she envisions a travel industry where larger bodies are represented in media, and where every traveler feels safe, seen, and welcome.
One of the key changes she advocates for is simple but powerful: announcing the availability of seatbelt extensions during the boarding process. Based on both personal experience and messages from her followers, she says this small gesture could ease a major source of stress for plus-size travelers.
“Just hearing that seatbelt extensions are available—without having to ask—would take away so much anxiety,” she explains. “Destigmatizing this could mean the difference between dreading a flight and actually enjoying the journey.”
Jones also sheds light on the discomfort many plus-size passengers face with standard airline seating. She calls for more spacious seat options—or at the very least, practical improvements like additional cushioning and adjustable armrests. These seemingly small changes, she argues, could make flying far more comfortable and accessible for everyone.
But her advocacy doesn’t stop at 30,000 feet. Jones also urges hotels to rethink their approach to inclusivity. She recommends that hotel groups stock larger towels and offer plus-sized bathrobes, pointing out that these thoughtful touches can go a long way in making plus-size guests feel truly welcome and at ease.
While Jones doesn’t shy away from addressing the challenges plus-size travelers face, she also makes a point to highlight the positives. One standout destination, she says, is the Seychelles—a breathtaking island nation off the coast of Africa—which she describes as one of the most inclusive and body-positive places she’s visited. The locals, she recalls, were warm, welcoming, and made her feel completely at ease as a plus-size tourist.