Plus-Size Travelers Must Pre-Book Extra Seats as Southwest Changes Policy

TDT | Manama

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Starting January 27, 2026, Southwest Airlines will require passengers who cannot fit within a standard seat’s armrests or who encroach on a neighboring seat to purchase an extra ticket at the time of booking. Unlike before, these tickets may not always be refundable.

Under the new rules, refunds will only be allowed if:

The flight departs with at least one open seat.

Both tickets are purchased in the same fare class.

The refund request is made within 90 days of travel.

This is a shift from the current policy, where passengers could request an extra seat for free at the airport or pay in advance with a guaranteed refund option.

Assigned Seating Replaces Open Boarding
The new extra-seat requirement coincides with the end of Southwest’s decades-old open boarding system. From January 27, all passengers will have assigned seats, marking one of the airline’s most significant changes in history.

Concerns from Plus-Size Travelers
Some travelers worry that the new policy will make flying less comfortable and more complicated. Passengers who do not purchase an extra seat in advance may have to buy one at the airport. If the flight is full, they could be rebooked on a later flight.

Checked Bags Will No Longer Be Free
From May 28, 2026, Southwest will also begin charging for checked baggage. Exceptions will be made for top-tier loyalty members, business-class passengers, and airline credit card holders. This ends a long-standing perk that helped differentiate the airline from competitors.

Reason for the Changes
Southwest is phasing out long-standing perks like open seating and free checked bags while also adjusting domestic routes, cutting staff, and exploring international expansion. These changes are part of a broader effort to improve profits and meet investor expectations.

Key Details for Plus-Size Passengers:

Effective January 27, 2026: Assigned seating applies across Southwest flights.

Mandatory Extra Seat: Must be purchased at booking if unable to fit within armrests.

Refund Eligibility: Only possible if conditions above are met.

Airport Requests: Free extra seats at the airport will no longer be available.

Seat Dimensions: Boeing 737 seats range from 15.5 to 17.8 inches wide.

Checked Baggage: Most travelers will pay unless they meet exceptions.

Partner Airlines: Extra seats must be purchased directly through the partner and are non-refundable.

These updates reflect Southwest’s effort to standardize policies, enhance profitability, and modernize operations, even as they phase out some of the perks that have defined the airline for decades.