Airline to charge extra for passengers who don’t fit in a single seat

Southwest Airlines, a flight company based in Dallas, USA, has announced that plus-size travellers will have to pay extra for seats if they cannot fit comfortably in one seat.

This change to their “customer of size” policy, which used to allow extra seats at no extra cost, will start on January 27, 2026.

On their official website, the airline explained that customers who "take up space in the neighbouring seat(s)" are encouraged to buy the right number of seats in advance.

This is to make sure there are enough seats available for those who need them on their chosen flights.

"The purchase of additional seats serves as a notification of a special seating request and helps us ensure we can accommodate you on the flight,” the airline stated.

“Most importantly, it ensures that all customers on board have access to safe and comfortable seating.”

The airline has repeated its commitment to passenger comfort and safety, especially as concerns about seating policies in the airline industry grow.

While customers will now have to pay for an extra seat that is non-refundable, the airline will still allow refunds under certain conditions.

Those conditions are if the extra seat is bought in the same fare class and the request is made within 90 days of travel, as long as the flight isn't fully booked.

If a traveller arrives at the airport without booking an extra seat, the airline will try to provide a free extra seat if there is space available.

However, if the flight is full, the passenger may need to be booked onto another flight that has available seats, which could be a problem for those who need to travel urgently.

Additionally, if it becomes clear during boarding that a second seat is needed, passengers will have to leave the plane to update their bookings to include the extra seat.

In such cases, the time limits for boarding may require them to be rebooked on a later flight where at least two seats can be guaranteed, making it difficult for customers to manage their travel plans.

Southwest Airlines stressed the importance of buying any extra seats in advance to avoid the hassle of rebooking. 

The airline also advised against buying more than one seat just to keep the space next to them empty, aiming to create an inclusive environment for all passengers, no matter their size.