Airline introducing new rule for plus-sized travellers

Southwest Airlines has sparked quite a heated discussion online after introducing a brand-new rule for its plus-sized travellers.

The American airline, which has had a 'long-standing policy designed to meet the seating needs of customers who require more than one seat', used to allow flyers who 'encroach upon neighbouring seats' to purchase an extra seat in advance of the flight to make sure it was available.

Then, said passenger could simply request to have the cost refunded after travelling.

The old rules used to read as per the official website: "Customers who encroach upon the neighbouring seat(s) should proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat is available. The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats.

Southwest Airlines has introduced a controversial new policy for 'customers of size' (Boarding1Now / Getty Images)

"In addition, Southwest may determine, in its sole discretion, that an additional seat is necessary for safety purposes. Southwest will refund the extra seat purchased upon request once travel is complete."

Southwest added that the purchase of additional seats serves as a 'notification of a special seating request' and 'helps us ensure we can accommodate you on the flight'.

"Most importantly, it ensures that all Customers on board have access to safe and comfortable seating," the website explains.

However, a new announcement from the airline means that such a policy is soon about to change come early doors next year (27 January, 2026).

Announcing its new policy last Monday (25 August), Southwest explained that the popular refund is no longer guaranteed.

The new rules mean that the airline will only refund a second ticket for 'customers of size' if the flight isn’t fully booked at the time of departure and if both of the passenger’s tickets were bought in the same booking class.

The passenger will also need to request the refund within 90 days of the flight.

The new policy change has sparked quite a heated debate online (John M. Chase / Getty Images)

Additionally, if a passenger who needs an extra seat doesn’t buy one ahead of time, Southwest's new policy states that they will be required to buy one at the airport.

And, if the flight is full, they'll get rebooked onto a new flight.

The move has prompted many globe-trotters to rush to social media to share their verdicts, with one Facebook user suggesting: "Why don't they have a few rows of plus size seating and charge extra?"

A second slammed: "It must be uncomfortable for both people if one person doesn’t fit in a seat. Also if I pay for a seat on a plane I expect a seat. Not half a seat."

"This will be tricky..." penned a third. "Imagine navigating the politics of a fat person who can't fit the seat vs say, a bodybuilder."

Another commented: "What about tall people whose legs spill into your space?"

A Reddit user questioned: "If you need two seats to fly, then you need to pay for two seats. Why is that controversial?"

Southwest Airlines told LADbible Group in a statement: "We are updating many policies as we prepare our operation, Employees, and Customers for assigned seating on January 27, 2026. To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy they should purchase it at booking."