Recently, an image of a plus-sized passenger attempting to fit into a cramped airline seat has sparked an explosive debate online, leaving many questioning whether the airline industry needs to rethink its approach to seating.

Thousands of comments

The controversial photo, showing a man on a flight from Helsinki to Copenhagen struggling to squeeze into his assigned seat, was initially shared by consumer advocate Christopher Elliott, from Washington D.C.He posted the photo on his Facebook in September 2024, and after that, it was reposted by the Miami-based hip-hop group Pretty Ricky.

Pretty Ricky, known for their 2000s hit ”Grind with Me,” posted the image with a call for airlines to make adjustments for larger passengers.

They wrote: ”Airlines will have to have something in place for plus-sized passengers. This image was taken recently on a flight showing how difficult it is for people who are bigger than one seat.

”It’s also difficult for those sitting next to them. It’s a difficult situation because the airline will need to think of a happy medium.”

The post sparked a heated debate, quickly gaining over thousands of comments, with many suggesting that larger passengers should be required to pay for two seats if they can’t fit into one.