Southwest Airlines is ending its long-standing “Customer of Size” policy that allowed plus-size travelers to secure extra seating without up-front costs.
Beginning 27 January 2026, passengers who cannot fit comfortably within one seat will be required to purchase an additional seat in advance, with refunds only granted under stricter conditions, according to the new policy by the Dallas-based airline.
Newsweek contacted Southwest Airlines for comment via email on Monday outside of usual working hours.
Why It Matters
This is a significant change to a popular policy that allowed larger travelers to book two seats for the price of one.
The shift marks a dramatic reversal for the carrier, which had been praised for inclusivity and for offering one of the most accommodating policies for larger passengers in the U.S.
Advocates warn the changes could make air travel prohibitively expensive for many, while longtime loyalists say the policy undermines Southwest’s identity as a customer-friendly airline.
What To Know
Under the new rules, passengers must buy two seats at the time of booking if they cannot fit within the boundaries of the armrests of one seat. Refunds will only be considered if the flight is not sold out, the seats are in the same fare class, and the refund request is submitted within 90 days of travel.
This stands in contrast to the current policy, under which Southwest often refunds the extra seat even on full flights or provides an additional seat free of charge when space allows.
The policy change coincides with two other major shifts. Southwest will abandon its open-seating model and move to assigned seating for the first time in its history. It will also introduce fees for checked bags, charging $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second, as per The Houston Chronicle, ending its “Bags Fly Free” tradition.
This policy is now in line with many other US-based airlines, as per the Elliott Report, Nerdwallet, and Smarter Travel.
Other Airline Plus-Size Policies
Alaska Airlines‘ customer-of-size policy requires passengers who cannot fit comfortably with the armrests down to purchase an extra seat, but they may receive a refund for the second place if an open seat is available on the flight.
American Airlines advises passengers who need extra space to purchase a second seat during booking. If they do not, they can request adjacent seating from an airport agent, though availability is not guaranteed.
Delta Air Lines does not require passengers to buy an additional seat in advance. However, if someone encroaches on another traveler’s space, the airline may reassign them to a different seat or ask them to take a later flight.
Frontier Airlines requires that customers who are unable to lower both armrests purchase a second seat before travel.
Spirit Airlines requires passengers who encroach on an adjacent seat or cannot fit within a single seat with the armrests down to purchase an extra seat.
United Airlines requires the purchase of a second seat when necessary and typically charges the same fare as the first. If a passenger waits until the day of travel, they may face higher prices or be asked to rebook.
Southwest Airlines will allow plus-size passengers to purchase a second seat and receive a full refund after travel, effectively providing the extra space at no additional cost.
What People Are Saying
Southwest Airlines states on its website: “Customers who encroach upon the neighboring seat(s) should proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat is available. The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats; you may review information about the width of passenger seats.
“In addition, Southwest may determine, in its sole discretion, that an additional seat is necessary for safety purposes. Southwest will refund the extra seat purchased upon request once travel is complete.”
Tigress Osborn, chair of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, as per The New York Times: “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.”
What Happens Next
The new policy takes effect in January 2026, giving travelers time to adjust. Passenger advocates say the airline risks losing loyal customers to competitors such as Alaska Airlines, which still refunds extra seats in some cases. For now, Southwest is standing by its decision, framing the change as part of a wider overhaul of its operations.
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