Jun 1, 2026
Southwest Airlines faced backlash from customers and advocacy groups after updating its longstanding customer-of-size policy in January, requiring plus-size passengers to pre-purchase a second seat in advance.
Now, the airline has walked back that policy, once again allowing customers of size to request an extra seat at the gate.
Advertisement
“On flights where adjacent seats are available, our agents at the airport are empowered to provide an additional seat at no extra cost to customers who require one,” an airline spokesperson told USA Today. “If another seat is not available, we will work to accommodate the customer on a later flight.”
The policy is now in effect.
If you do get a free second seat at the gate, it may require moving to a lower category if those are the only seats available (and the second seat doesn’t apply to connecting flights with partner airlines). If the flight is full, however, you’ll have to wait for a later flight, which can be a pain if you have a connecting flight or checked baggage. This also isn’t ideal if you’re traveling for work, a family emergency or another urgent matter.
As a result, Southwest is still encouraging customers of size to book an extra seat in advance. You can request a refund within 90 days of travel — so long as the flight departs with one empty seat (otherwise, you’re out of luck).
Why the new policy may not make a difference
This adjusted policy still falls short, Tigress Osborn, Executive Director of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA), said in a statement to CBS News.
If a customer of size can’t afford to buy two seats in advance, they’re “at risk of being bumped off their flight and reassigned to the next flight with a seat available.” She also said there’s no guarantee of a timeframe for that seat reassignment.
Other airlines have similar policies. Delta Airlines also recommends purchasing an additional seat in advance. Otherwise, customers of size may have to move to another part of the plane that can accommodate two adjacent seats or, in the case of full flight, they’ll be rebooked on a later flight with available seating.
Advertisement
United Airlines has a similar customer-of-size policy and offers to provide hotel and meal vouchers if travelers have to stay overnight to catch another flight.
Travelers on any of these airlines could simply buy second seats in advance, but as the cost of air travel skyrockets, buying a second seat — with the hope that you’ll later be reimbursed, if the flight isn’t full — can make it prohibitively expensive to travel.
Airlines’ customer-of-size policies could face additional challenges as airlines trim their schedules and reduce flights to cope with the rising cost of jet fuel as the war in Iran continues. That could make it harder for customers of size to book a flight with empty seats available — and make it harder for agents to rebook a customer on a later flight.
Must Read
- You can now build wealth like a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to chase down rent or take 3 A.M tenant calls
- Goldman Sachs used to hoard prime real estate deals for the ultrarich. Two ex-analysts just opened the door for $250
- Robert Kiyosaki begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ — says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
So should customers of size book second seats?
This issue will continue to plague travelers as aircraft seats get smaller — by as much as three inches over the past three decades. At the same time, about 40% of Americans aged 20 and up are considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another 9.4% are considered severely obese.
Some airlines offer a discount on a second seat, while others offer “neighbor-free” seating options, which requires you to pay an extra charge to keep the seat beside you empty — but it’s not guaranteed if the flight fills up.
If you wait to ask an agent at the gate, the agent may not be able to do much if the flight is full, other than rebook you. That can be an issue in cases where flight schedules have been reduced.
Advertisement
The easiest option is to book a second seat with an airline that provides a refund for that second seat. But you may not be able to get a refund if the flight is full — be sure to check the individual airline’s policy or talk to a travel agent.
Even if you are refunded after travel, you still have to foot the bill in advance. That means you could be faced with a larger credit card bill before getting a refund — if you get a refund at all.
If money is tight, an emergency fund could help cover that cost until you’re refunded (and save you from paying credit card interest while you wait). The money in your emergency fund should be liquid, such as in a high-interest savings account.
In the future, new seating options could make the experience more enjoyable — if you can afford it.
United Airlines, for example, will debut its Relax Row seating in 2027, which will be available on more than 200 of its airplanes by 2030 in both economy and premium plus. A dedicated row of three seats can transform into a “lie-flat mattress-like space,” which the airlines says is “ideal for families with small children, couples and solo travelers who want more space.”
If you have the funds (or airline miles), you could also consider upgrading to premium economy or business class, where you’ll automatically get a wider seat and more space.
You May Also Like
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
- Robert Kiyosaki issues grim warning for baby boomers. Many could be ‘wiped out’ and homeless ‘all over’ the country. How to protect yourself now
Vawn Himmelsbach is a veteran journalist who covers tech, business, finance and travel. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, CBC News, Yahoo Finance, MSN, CAA Magazine, Travelweek, Explore Magazine and Consumer Reports.
