Southwest Airlines has updated its long-standing policy on accommodating customers who require more than one seat due to their size, with significant changes taking effect from January 27, 2026, when the carrier moves to assigned seating.

Under the new rules, customers who need additional space must purchase the required seat or seats in advance to guarantee availability. If they do not, they will be required to buy an extra seat at the airport at the day-of-travel fare, which is often substantially higher. If a flight is sold out or no adjacent seats are available, the customer will be rebooked on an alternate flight.

Refunds for extra seats will be available only if the following conditions are met: the flight departs with at least one open seat or with passengers traveling on space-available passes; both seats are purchased in the same fare class (Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra, or Basic); and the refund request is submitted within 90 days of travel.

Until January 26, 2026, the current system remains in place. This allows plus-size passengers to either pay for the cost of an extra seat in advance (and receive a refund later if the flight is not full) or request an additional seat at no charge upon arrival at the airport if space permits. If a flight is full, the customer is rebooked. If the need for an extra seat is identified only after boarding, the passenger may be asked to deplane so their reservation can be updated, and then be rebooked on another service.

This existing approach has long made Southwest a preferred choice for plus-size travelers, who appreciated the flexibility of booking in advance with the option of a refund, or simply requesting extra space at no extra charge on the day of travel.

The change comes amid rising obesity rates in the United States. Between August 2021 and August 2023, 40.3 percent of American adults were classified as obese, with 9.4 percent considered severely obese, according to national data.

Unsurprisingly, Southwest’s revised policy has triggered widespread discussion. For passengers who have experienced their seat space encroached upon, the change will likely be seen as overdue. But for plus-size passengers, particularly those who may struggle financially, being required to pay for additional seating upfront—or worse, at last-minute airport fares—raises concerns about affordability and fairness. The link between socioeconomic status and obesity further complicates the debate, potentially deepening divides between travelers.

Southwest, the world’s largest low-cost airline and one of the “big four” U.S. carriers, has also clarified that any customer traveling on itineraries that include a partner airline must purchase an additional non-refundable seat directly from that partner if they cannot be safely accommodated in a single seat.

The airline continues to stress that extra seats cannot be purchased for the sole purpose of keeping an adjoining seat empty.

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