Southwest Airlines has announced a new policy that will require plus-size passengers who cannot fit within a single seat's armrests to purchase an extra ticket in advance, effective from 27 January. The change coincides with the airline's introduction of assigned seating on the same date.
Under the current rules, larger passengers could either buy an extra seat upfront with the possibility of a refund later, or request a free extra seat at the airport. The new policy mandates that those who have previously used the extra seat policy now purchase it at the time of booking. Refunds on the second seat may still be available if the flight is not fully booked.
Passengers who do not buy an extra seat before their flight will be required to do so at the airport. If the flight is full at that point, Southwest will rebook them onto a later flight. The airline stated that the armrest is considered the definitive boundary between seats, and that it will determine on a case-by-case basis when an additional seat is necessary for safety.
Travel agent Jason Vaughn, who runs the site Fat Tested Travel, told the Associated Press that the change could worsen the flying experience for everyone. He argued that under the current system, passengers had no financial risk in buying an extra seat due to guaranteed refunds, but without that assurance, many may try to fit into a single seat, leading to discomfort for both themselves and neighbouring passengers.
The policy shift is part of a broader effort by Southwest to boost profits. The airline has already ended its free checked bag policy, introduced charges for seats with extra legroom, and will begin offering red-eye flights and assigned seating with premium charges from January.
