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Southwest Airlines is changing a long-standing seating policy that currently accommodates plus-size passengers. The new rules take effect on January 27th (the same day that the airline’s transition from open seating to assigned seating occurs) and will make it more difficult for Southwest passengers to get additional seats for free.
For decades, Southwest has been known for its open-seating model and customer-friendly policies. This included its Customers of Size Policy, which allowed passengers who could not fit between two armrests to reserve an extra seat and then request a refund after travel. Under the new system, refunds will only be available in limited cases and with more stringent requirements.
After January 27th, customers of size will still be required to purchase enough seats to ensure they do not encroach on a neighboring passenger. But unlike before, they must also reserve adjacent seats in advance, which may mean paying seat assignment fees. If the flight is sold out or adjoining seats are unavailable, Southwest will work to rebook the passenger on another flight.
The most controversial change comes with refunds. Southwest will soon only refund the cost of additional seats if the following conditions are met:
- The flight departs with at least one open seat
- Both seats were purchased in the same fare class
- The refund request is submitted within 90 days of travel
If these conditions are not met, customers will not be eligible for a refund and will effectively pay for two seats. In another major change, plus-size passengers will no longer be allowed to preboard. Instead, they will board with their assigned group, which is determined by status, fare type, and Rapid Rewards credit card benefits. Southwest emphasized that customers may not purchase an additional seat solely to keep the adjacent one empty (a stipulation already in place under the old policy).
The revisions have already sparked concern among loyal Southwest customers, some of whom say the policy could price them out of travel. Disability advocates and passenger rights groups argue that the changes undermine accessibility and push Southwest further away from its once-unique customer-first model.
Anthony’s Take: If you need two seats, you should buy two. I’ve said this many times before. I’m tall (six foot five) and need legroom. I always purchase the seat I need. Yes, not everyone can afford it. But, that’s like saying that other businesses should give products away because of an individual’s financial means. That doesn’t happen in restaurants, retail store, or other places and should not happen here.
(Image Credits: Ozgurcoskun and Southwest Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
