An airline will introduce a new policy that will affect plus-size travelers. Here’s how
Airline to require plus-size travellers to pay for an extra seat
- Southwest Airlines will introduce a new policy from 27 January, requiring passengers unable to fit between their seat's armrests to purchase an additional seat in advance.
- This change departs from the current system, where plus-size travellers could obtain a refund for an extra seat or request a complimentary one at the airport.
- Under the updated policy, refunds for a second ticket will be possible but not guaranteed, contingent on an open seat being available on departure and both tickets being in the same booking class.
- The new requirement coincides with the airline's transition to assigned seating, moving away from its long-standing open-seating model.
- This alteration is part of broader changes at Southwest, which is under pressure to boost profits and has recently discontinued free baggage allowance.