Plus-sized model, blogger, and bestselling author Tess Holliday has publicly criticized United Airlines following what she described as a distressing and humiliating encounter with a flight attendant. The incident, which Holliday detailed in a series of TikTok posts on October 19, 2025, has sparked a conversation on social media.

Holliday, 40, an outspoken advocate for body positivity and against fatphobia, recounted the events that unfolded during her flight from Tampa, Florida, to Los Angeles, California, where she was traveling with her nine-year-old son, Bowie.

According to Holliday, the situation began when she accidentally pressed the attendant call button while exiting the aircraft’s restroom. Initially, the interaction with the male flight attendant seemed lighthearted, with some joking about the cramped space of the bathroom.

However, Holliday’s experience quickly turned sour, leading her to share her ordeal with her followers, raising awareness about the treatment of plus-sized passengers in the airline industry. Her candid account has resonated with many, bringing attention to the need for more inclusive and respectful service.

A male attendant knocked to check on her, and at first, the exchange seemed harmless, as they joked back and forth about the small size of the bathroom. 

However, Holliday claimed that the conversation swiftly turned tense.

Holliday alleged that the flight attendant then told her a story about his sister, who he described as ‘very, very, very large,’ before adding that they were ‘probably’ the same size.

He allegedly told her that his sister recently flew on United and that the passenger next to her ‘didn’t like that she was large’ and filed a complaint with the airline.

Plus-sized model, blogger and best selling author Tess Holliday (seen in 2020) has blasted United Airlines after she claimed she endured a humiliating encounter with a flight attendant

The model claimed that the incident occurred on a United Airlines flight as she was returning home with her nine-year-old son Bowie from Tampa to Los Angeles (stock image)

According to Holliday, the man then said that he felt like she ‘needed to lose weight.’

‘He [also said] that he saw I was traveling with my child and if I cared about my child I would do something, that I would lose weight,’ Holliday alleged.

The Daily Mail has reached out to United Airlines, who declined to comment.

Holliday recalled trying to remain polite so as not to antagonize the situation further.  

Holliday said the attendant seemed to be naive to any offense he caused, as she claimed he then started to talk about his wife, who he said ‘weighs less than 100 pounds’ because she ‘doesn’t eat the processed c**p.’

‘I didn’t really know what to say,’ Holliday continued. ‘Everyone’s like, “You should have said or done this.” I was trying to be polite because I’m traveling with my child.’

The flight attendant then allegedly told her that her ‘main issue is in her belly region’ and described how belly fat could be a ‘killer.’

‘You don’t say things like that to people,’ she scathed. ‘He said a myriad of other things, the conversation lasted entirely too long.’

Holliday alleged that the flight attendant then told her a story about his sister, who he described as ‘very, very, very large,’ before adding that they were ‘probably’ the same size 

According to Holliday, the man then said that he felt like she ‘needed to lose weight.’ She’s seen in September 

But it didn’t end there, according to Holliday, because she claimed the same airline worker later came around to ask if anyone wanted snacks and made a comment this time to her son that she felt was strange.

She alleged he offered her son some gummies and said ‘it would keep him from being tempted.’

The TikTok story time garnered massive amounts of media attention, as many viewers flocked to Holliday’s comment section to express their sympathies at her experience and give their thanks for Halliday’s continuing presence as a spokesperson for the plus sized community.

Others expressed their disbelief that a flight attendant made such personal remarks. 

A fellow flight attendant commented, ‘This is INSANE… the way he just kept going?!’

‘I’m so sorry! No one should be made to feel like this on a plane,’ said another user.

‘Girl this is completely unacceptable. Don’t for a second think anyone has a right to speak to you this way,’ someone else chimed in. 

Others defended the flight attendant. One person noted that his comments seemed to have come from ‘genuine concern,’ but added that it wasn’t the right place to make them.

‘He was trying to save your life,’ pointed out a different user.

‘Lowkey, I wish someone were bold enough to risk hurting my feelings and say this to my face,’ admitted someone else.

When asked how she was going to handle the situation, Holliday addressed this via a comment on the post saying she had requested for the attendant not to be fired but instead, asked for the employee to be given sensitivity training and referred them to NAAFA.

This alleged situation signals a larger ongoing debate evoked by recent updates to airline policies that state overweight passengers have to now purchase a full priced second seat where previously it had no additional costs.

Southwest airlines recently adapted this policy and announced this will be administered starting in 2026.

Other airlines such as United, American Airlines and Spirit Airlines already have existing requirements for those that fall under the plus-sized category, asking customers to purchase a second seat if their arm rests cannot comfortably go down or if they are noticeably encroaching on others space.