Southwest Airlines is introducing a new policy to require plus-size passengers to buy an additional seat which may not be refunded.
According to a report from the New York Times, the airline's new policy for 2026 will require passengers who "encroach upon the neighboring seat" to buy an additional ticket.
Before the policy change, plus-size passengers flying Southwest could either purchase an extra seat ahead of time and be refunded or they could show up at the airport and request an extra seat without being charged.
The new policy states those passengers may no longer be refunded for the purchasing the extra seat. Those hoping to request a refund must now do so within 90 days, the flight must not be sold out and the extra ticket must be purchased within the same far as their original seat.
Users on social media sounded off on the change, most in support. One wrote, "Glad to hear that non 'plus-sized' individuals won’t be burdened as much in the future." However, some are clearly still upset over additional changes the airline announced earlier this year.
One user wrote, "It won’t make me want to renew my Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card though. They ruined what they had."
Southwest came under fire earlier this year when the airline announced it was dropping its popular "two bags fly free" policy. Instead, travelers must now pay $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for the second checked bag.
The airline also announced that in January, 2026 it will be getting rid of the popular open-seating model. All flights will begin to used an assigned seating model when booking travel.
Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said of some of the policy changes, "We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect.”