Southwest Airlines Changes Rules for Plus-Size Customers

Southwest Airlines has tightened its rules for 'customers of size' starting in 2026.

Published: 8/25/2025, 2:12:58 PM EDT

Southwest Airlines Changes Rules for Plus-Size Customers — A Southwest Airlines airplane taxies from a gate at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Baltimore, Md., on Oct. 11, 2021. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Southwest Airlines has tightened its rules for "customers of size" starting in 2026.

The Dallas-based airline has long allowed plus-size customers to book an additional seat and then apply for a refund for the second fare after they have traveled.

But Southwest recently announced some changes for those passengers beginning Jan. 27 next year, the same day the airline switches to assigned seating on all of its flights.

When assigned seating takes effect, according to the airline, plus-size customers who "encroach upon the neighboring seats should proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat is available," the airline states.

Southwest noted the armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats, listing the seat widths on the Boeing 737 models.

The airline also outlined the specific process that plus-size customers should follow once they arrive at their gate.

"If you purchase an extra seat, see a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the gate to obtain a Seat Reserved document for the additional seat purchased," the updated policy states. "You’ll place the Seat Reserved document on the adjoining seat. You may preboard to select the available seats that best meet your needs, or you may board with your original boarding group and position. Once onboard, if necessary, please request a seatbelt extension from our Flight Attendant."

The new policy shows refunds for additional seats have also tightened.

The flight must depart with at least one open seat; both seats must be purchased in the same fare class; and customers have 90 days from the date of travel to request a refund.

Southwest, in its updated policy, maintained it remains committed to accommodating its plus-size passengers.

"We’ve had a long-standing policy designed to meet the seating needs of Customers who require more than one seat," it said.

NTD reached out to Southwest Airlines seeking comment on the changes.

"We are updating many policies as we prepare our operation, Employees, and Customers for assigned seating on January 27, 2026," the airline said in an emailed statement to NTD on Monday. "To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy they should purchase it at booking."

Additionally, plus-size customers traveling on itineraries with Southwest partner carriers must purchase an additional, non-refundable seat directly through the partner carrier.

In 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opened up a public comment period and received more than 26,000 comments about shrinking airline seat sizes and leg room. Passengers expressed concerns about the discomfort on flights, especially for plus-size passengers, with many complaining that it was discriminatory against fliers who were larger.

Among major U.S. airlines, Southwest may have the most generous policies when it comes to larger flyers, according to personal finance company NerdWallet.

Each airline sets its own policy for seating customers who require an extra seat on their flight.

Most major American carriers require plus-size passengers to pay for a second seat.

Alaska Airlines offers possible refunds, according to its customers of size policy. Passengers are eligible for a refund on the second seat if the flight had an open seat available in each direction.

Delta does not offer a refund on second seat purchases.