Southwest Airlines will soon require travelers who don’t fit within a single seat’s armrests to pay for an extra seat in advance, part of a series of recent changes by the carrier. The rule goes into effect Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats.
According to The Associated Press, currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance with the option of a later refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, a refund is still possible but no longer guaranteed.
“To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking,” Southwest said in a statement Monday.
The change follows other recent adjustments by the airline, which had long allowed passengers to choose their own seats after boarding and fly with free checked bags, the latter ending in May.
Southwest will still refund a second ticket for extra seating if the flight isn’t fully booked, both tickets were purchased in the same class, and the passenger requests the refund within 90 days.
Travelers who need an extra seat but don’t purchase one in advance will have to buy one at the airport, or if the flight is full, they will be rebooked on another flight.
Jason Vaughn, an Orlando-based travel agent and plus-size travel advocate, said the change will likely affect travelers of all sizes.
“I think it’s going to make the flying experience worse for everybody,” Vaughn said.
Vaughn criticized the airline, calling it a letdown for loyal Southwest customers.
“They have no idea anymore who their customer is,” he said. “They have no identity left.”
The airline, under pressure from activist investors to boost profits, has also announced plans to charge extra for more legroom and introduce red-eye flights.
