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Do you agree with the new Southwest rule for plus-sized passengers?
The policy change begins Jan. 27, 2026.
Southwest just announced a change in policy that impacts plus-size travelers.
Beginning early next year, passengers who “encroach upon the neighboring seat” will have to buy another ticket that may not be refunded, reported The New York Times. The policy change begins Jan. 27, 2026, the same day the airline will begin assigned seating after halting its 50-year open seat policy.
“To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking,” the airline said in a statement.
Currently, plus-size passengers can pay ahead of time for an extra seat and get refunded at a later date or request an extra seat for free at the airport on the day of travel. Therefore, Southwest has become a preferred carrier for many plus-size passengers, noted The New York Times.
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With the new policy, a refund is possible but no longer guaranteed. The policy says Southwest will refund the second ticket only if the flight isn’t fully booked at the time of departure. Both tickets must be in the same booking class and the refund request must be made within 90 days of the date of travel.
What’s more, plus-size passengers who don’t purchase the extra seat ahead of time will be required to buy one at the airport and, if the flight is full, be rebooked on a different flight, according to the policy.
The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance called the change in policy “devastating” for plus-size passengers because it will make traveling more expensive and stressful, according to the New York Times report.
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Southwest also began charging for checked luggage in May.
What do you think of the extra seat policy change? Let us know in the form below or e-mail us at [email protected]. Your response might be featured in an upcoming article.
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