Southwest Airlines is set to overhaul its long-standing inclusive seating policy, announcing that from early 2026, plus-size passengers will be required to pay for any additional seats they need. The move has ignited a fierce debate, drawing criticism from some quarters while receiving backing from prominent figures like radio personality Charlamagne tha God.
Policy Shift Sparks Heated Debate
Currently, Southwest operates a uniquely accommodating system. It allows larger customers to book a second seat while making their flight reservation with a promise of a later refund, or to request an extra seat free of charge at the airport gate. This policy will be completely scrapped on 27 January 2026. From that date, the airline mandates that passengers "should proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel."
If a customer arrives at the airport without having bought the necessary seats, they will be compelled to purchase another there. Should no adjacent seats be available, they face being rebooked onto the next flight with suitable seating. The airline has clarified that the armrest serves as the definitive boundary between seats, advising travellers to check seat dimensions—which range from 17 to 17.8 inches wide depending on the aircraft model—before buying.
Radio Host Backs Airline's Decision
The policy change found a vocal supporter on the popular US radio show The Breakfast Club. Co-host Lenard McKelvey, known professionally as Charlamagne tha God, stated he does "not have a problem at all" with the new rules. "If you are too big for one seat, then you just gotta buy two seats," he remarked, later joking, "Why don't they just make them fly cargo."
Charlamagne argued that the issue of paying for extra space isn't unique to larger passengers, pointing out that tall individuals frequently pay more for seats with extra legroom. "So it ain't just fat people that gotta deal with this," he continued, adding, "You a big person, and you squeezing into one seat, now I gotta sit next to you uncomfortably." He was unsympathetic to financial concerns, quipping, "But what if you don't got the bread to buy another seat? Well, you shouldn't have been eating so much bread."
Refunds and Wider Policy Alignment
Southwest has outlined that a refund for an extra seat may still be possible under specific conditions: the flight must have departed with at least one empty seat, and the refund request must be made within 90 days of travel. Both seats must also have been bought in the same fare class.
This change is part of a broader series of updates for the carrier, including the controversial end to its free checked baggage policy in May and a major shift from open seating to assigned seating, which will also take effect on 27 January 2026. These moves bring Southwest in line with other major airlines, most of which already charge for bags, use assigned seating, and require larger passengers to pay for adjacent seats.
A Southwest spokesperson told the Daily Mail the updates are part of preparing for the new assigned seating era, stating, "To ensure space, we have communicated to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy they should purchase it at booking."
The airline's original inclusive policy was introduced following a major public relations incident in 2010, when filmmaker Kevin Smith was removed from a flight for being deemed "too fat to fly." His public complaints led to an apology and the policy's creation. Smith, who has since lost significant weight, vowed at the time, "I'm never going on Southwest again."
