Southwest Says Plus-Size Passengers No Longer Required To Buy Extra Seat In Advance

Southwest Says Plus-Size Passengers No Longer Required To Buy Extra Seat In Advance

Southwest Airlines is making another change to its controversial seating policy for plus-size travelers.

According to a new report, the airline has updated its “Customer of Size” policy and will no longer require passengers who need extra space to purchase an additional seat before arriving at the airport. Instead, airport agents can now provide an extra seat at no additional cost when space is available.

The move comes just months after Southwest faced backlash over policy changes tied to its transition to assigned seating. Earlier updates required customers who extended into neighboring seats to proactively purchase additional seats ahead of travel or risk paying for them at the airport, being rebooked, or potentially removed from a flight if adjacent seating wasn’t available.

Southwest confirmed the latest adjustment took effect late last week and said it is working to create a more consistent experience for travelers who require extra space. The airline noted that gate agents may now provide additional seating on the day of travel when available.

The previous policy sparked widespread criticism online, with some travelers accusing the airline of unfairly targeting plus-size passengers and creating unnecessary stress around flying. Several viral social media posts and customer complaints drew attention to concerns about inconsistent enforcement and public embarrassment.

While Southwest is easing part of the policy, the airline still encourages customers who know they’ll need additional space to reserve it ahead of time to help ensure availability.

Do you think airlines should provide complimentary extra seats when available, or should passengers always be required to purchase additional space.