Southwest Airlines Implements New Seat Policy for Plus-Sized Passengers

Starting January 27, 2026, Southwest Airlines is introducing new guidelines specifically for plus-sized travelers. From that date, passengers will be required to proactively buy as many seats as they need for their journey when booking flights that have assigned seating.

This shift is aimed at making consumers aware of the upcoming changes. There’s some concern that plus-sized individuals might hesitate to book flights, particularly if they aren’t sure whether flights are fully booked. It’s an added layer of anxiety for what’s already a stressful experience, perhaps more than we realize.

To assist customers in determining whether they need additional seats, the Southwest website has provided information on seat widths for its Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline underscores that the armrest effectively marks the boundary for seat space.

A Shift Away from Open Seating

Southwest Airlines is moving away from its decades-long policy of open seating. As they prepare for the changes with assigned seating, the airline is communicating with customers who previously utilized the option of purchasing extra seats to ensure comfort.

If passengers do buy extra seats, there’s a possibility of receiving a refund if at least one seat remains unoccupied. This policy certainly tweaks how things have been done in the past, especially regarding refunds for additional seats. Historically, the airline encouraged plus-sized individuals to purchase two seats, but now the refund process has changed.

New Alerts for Safety

In addition to these changes, Southwest is also enhancing its cockpit alert systems, which are designed to detect potential runway hazards. This effort seems, at least to some, like a proactive step towards improving overall flight safety.

According to the airline’s site, for those traveling with Southwest Partner carriers, the guidelines indicate that any additional seats will need to be purchased directly through those partner airlines.