Southwest Airlines quietly changes policy for plus-size customers
Starting early next year, plus-size passengers who request or require an extra seat on Southwest Airlines will now have to pay for that extra seat in advance — and then request a refund after the fact.
This week, the Dallas-based airline quietly changed its long-standing policy on "customers of size," which had been widely considered the most passenger-friendly in the industry.
Southwest's current policy, now in effect through Jan. 26, 2026, encourages passengers who know they'll need an extra seat to purchase it before flying. As it stands now, the carrier offers to refund the cost of that extra seat after the date of travel, if you request it.
Passengers who need an extra seat but do not prepurchase it are often offered a complimentary extra seat at the gate if there are empty seats. If the flight is full, the airline will offer to rebook that customers on a later flight.
But big changes are in the works at Southwest. Its longtime open seating setup, a big factor in its generous extra-seat policy, is set to end early next year. That shift has sparked a change to its plus-size seating policy, too.
"We are updating many policies as we prepare our operation, employees, and customers for assigned seating," the carrier said. "To ensure space, we are communicating to customers who have previously used the extra seat policy they should purchase it at booking."
New rules for Southwest Airlines beginning in 2026
Southwest's updated customers of size policy will go into effect Jan. 27, 2026 — the same day it's set to launch assigned seating.
From that date on, passengers who need extra space will be required to purchase an extra seat in advance; the carrier will no longer make complimentary extra seats available at the gate.
If you show up at the airport without having prepurchased that seat and it's determined (either by you, the gate agent or the flight attendant) that an extra seat is necessary, you'll have to purchase it at the "applicable fare available on the day of travel."
The airline's long-standing policy says that the armrests define the boundary of a passenger's seat and that passengers needing more room beyond that require a second seat.
Southwest says that if the flight is sold out or no adjacent seats are available, it will offer to rebook that passenger on an alternate flight that might have availability.
Related: Southwest Airlines announces St. Maarten as newest Caribbean destination
And what about that refund for the extra seat?
Southwest will still offer refunds to many passengers who need to purchase a second seat, though there are some rules to know.
For those flying with Southwest on or after Jan. 27, 2026, refunds will only be issued if they meet a couple of conditions:
- The flight must have departed with at least one open seat (or with passengers traveling on space-available passes).
- Both seats should have been purchased in the same fare class (i.e., Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra or Basic).
Additionally, Southwest now requires that the refund request be filed within 90 days of the date of travel. Previously, there was no stated time limit for filing for that refund.
"We are heavily encouraging customers to book in advance if they need a second seat, to avoid having to purchase it at the gate," a Southwest spokesperson told TPG, "because last-minute seats tend to cost much more."
But if you do end up buying an extra seat at the gate at a different fare and price point, don't assume that you won't get a refund. Southwest says it understands there will be a learning curve on the new policy, so seek the help of customer service.
Bottom line
Despite these changes, Southwest's policy for plus-size passengers will remain among the most lenient in the U.S. airline industry since it will in many (though not all) cases offer a refund to customers who require a second seat.
Still, it's a definite shift for a policy that had been perhaps the most generous of any U.S. carrier.
Related reading:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards: Guide to earning and redeeming points, elite status and more
- Best Southwest Airlines credit cards
- How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
- Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees