Southwest Airlines has been undergoing multiple changes throughout this past year, and many of them have not been popular with consumers.
Southwest Airlines
They got rid of their policy that would allow passengers two free checked bags, and they’re also assigning seats for the first time beginning in 2026. However, now another change has just hit the airline that we have a feeling many passengers won’t be happy with.
According to The New York Times, Southwest Airlines is now changing another long-standing policy beginning January 27th, 2026. From that point on, “the airline will require passengers who ‘encroach upon the neighboring seat’ to proactively purchase an additional ticket, which might not be refunded.”
Southwest at MCO
Previously, Southwest’s policy was that passengers could either pay the cost of an extra seat ahead of time, BUT later receive a refund, or they could show up at the airport and request an extra seat at no charge. These inclusive policies made the airline the preferred airline for many plus-size passengers. However, now a second seat will not be refunded “unless the flight departs with at least one open seat and both seats are purchased within the same fare class.” Passengers will also be required to purchase this other seat in advance of their trip; showing up to the airport and requesting an additional seat will no longer be allowed.
Southwest
Tigress Osborn, the executive director of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, called the change devastating and said, “Southwest was the only beacon of hope for many fat people who otherwise wouldn’t have been flying…And now that beacon has gone out.” She also mentioned that many plus-size passengers are already hesitant to fly due to the threat of harassment on board.
©Southwest Airlines
Kaycee Bivens, a South Carolina travel agent who works exclusively with plus-size passengers, pointed out that the additional cost may mean fewer customers for Southwest, stating, “If you’re already budgeting and now you’ve got to add $300 to $400 to your budget, that may mean [less] travelers.” Additionally, she pointed out that while this change further aligns Southwest with other airlines in their policy similarities, Southwest’s policy, “was not just an industry leader but an example to other industries that accommodating people in the body they have today is an important business practice.”
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This isn’t a new thing, and most “passengers of unusual size” that have been traveling for a while won’t be surprised. Southwest used to do this all the time. I was actually stopped at the gate probably 15 years ago and told I either had to buy another ticket or they wouldn’t let me board. On the spot. Back then, it was in the fine print that the ticket agent had the final call as to whether or not to enforce the rule. I’ve also been on flights with SW where I bought the second seat ahead of time, then they overbooked the flight and put someone next to me regardless, and the flight attendant just shrugged and said there’s nothing they could do and to call when we landed and complain.
Also, this doesn’t necessarily apply to heavier people either. I’ve been told to buy a 2nd seat because my SHOULDERS were too wide.
All of this is why I just either drive or force my budget to first class and sacrifice something else if I absolutely must fly.
Even non-overweight customers will be affected by this. Coach seats are not wide enough for taller or muscular people…I wonder how long it takes before an “overweight” passenger sues when they see one of the perceived “normal” sized people being able to intrude on another seat without penalty while they are penalized.
Please be respectful of your fellow passengers. If your derriere is wider than a single seat, you need to plan for more than one seat. Too many times I have been trapped touching thigh to thigh with the total stranger beside me who has overflowed under the armrest and into my seat that I paid for.
This is a common sense thing. If you need two seats, then you should pay for two seats and plan for it, otherwise don’t travel. An additional seat shouldn’t be free and it’s not an entitlement. Southwest isn’t doing anything cruel, the changes occurring are changes that are in alignment with what other airlines have always done. They aren’t saying you can’t have two seats, just pay for it.
I truly hope that all of these “customer quality procedural updates” come back to hit SouthWest in the stock price. The only way that companies will learn to stop ‘beating up’ the consumer is to hit them in the pocketbook.
I think it’s great what Southwest is doing! Too many people ruined it for everyone else and now people are mad they actually have to pay for an extra seat which they should have been paying for all along. Maybe it’ll be a good incentive for people to loose weight, my ex lost 175 pounds (working out and eating healthy, this was pre-ozempic days) so he wouldn’t have to buy 2 airplane seats. If he can do it, anyone can.