Southwest Airlines changed its seating policy so refunds for purchased extra seats are no longer guaranteed effective Jan. 27, 2026. Refunds will be issued only if the flight departs with at least one open seat, both purchased seats are in the same fare class (choice, choice preferred, choice extra or basic), and a refund request is filed within 90 days of travel. Previously Southwest refunded additional seat purchases upon request and allowed travelers who encroach upon neighboring seats to reserve an empty seat. Advocates in the plus-size community say the new policy creates financial burdens, accessibility barriers, and diminishes dignity for affected travelers.
Currently, travelers who "encroach upon neighboring seats" are encouraged to purchase an extra seat in advance of the flight to ensure it will be available. Upon request, Southwest has refunded the cost of the additional seat after travel. The airline recently announced that, effective Jan. 27, 2026, the refund is no longer guaranteed. A refund will be issued if the following conditions are met: When the flight departs, it has at least one open seat. The traveler purchased two seats in the same fare class; both tickets need to be choice, choice preferred, choice extra or basic. A refund request is made within 90 days of the date of travel.
Southwest's current policy was something McLellan cherished, the traveler said in her post. It eased her mind that she wouldn't be the next "viral video of someone upset about sitting next to the fat passenger." It wasn't just about her own comfort or that of her neighbors, she said it was an issue of accessibility. Fliers in the plus-size community knew that, on top of the guaranteed refund, customers could easily reserve an empty seat and were met with compassion from customer service agents.
The "customer of size" policy "helped ease what too often feels humiliating," McLellan wrote. "That's why the recent changes are heartbreaking."
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