Starting January 27, 2026, Southwest Airlines will require passengers who cannot fit within a single seat with armrests down to purchase an additional seat at booking and will no longer guarantee a refund for purchasing an extra seat.
Southwest’s longstanding extra-seat accommodation for plus-size travelers will change next year. Under the updated policy, any passenger who encroaches on a neighboring seat must proactively purchase a second adjacent ticket when booking, and while refunds remain possible, they are conditional. The airline says the update aligns with its transition to assigned seating, which also takes effect on January 27, 2026.
Under the current policy, plus-size passengers could either buy a second seat in advance and apply for a refund after travel, or request an adjacent seat at the airport on the day. With the new rule:
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
