Is Southwest Customer of Size changing back?!?
[Accessibility description: An illustration of a plane and the NAAFA logo appears with the following text: “Is Southwest Airlines going back to their former Customer of Size Policy?!? Headlines this week said that Southwest is “walking back” recent changes to their policies for fat flyers, but we’re less than impressed. Here’s what you need to know.”]
You may have seen today in the news or on social media that something is changing at Southwest Airlines. Is Southwest finally listening to all of the advocates, activists, and influencers who’ve been telling them for months that the changes to their once-popular Customer of Size Policy have made flying uncomfortable, unaffordable and unfair?
Well…kinda.
As reported by People, ABC News, and CBS News, Southwest has made one adjustment to their 2026 policy. They will return to giving some passengers a free seat when it is requested or deemed necessary at the airport. “On flights where adjacent seats are available, our agents at the airport are empowered to provide an additional seat at no extra cost.”
On flights where no adjacent seats are available, Customers of Size are expected to rebook onto another flight. This is not a return to the old policy. This is an adjustment to the new one that creates a limited possibility of a second seat at no additional charge, but this change still risks that Customers of Size will be required to take another flight if they have not purchased a second seat in advance.
[Accessibility Description: Southwest is still advising Customers of Size to purchase a 2nd seat in advance. Here’s what they told ABC News: "On flights where adjacent seats are available, our agents at the airport are empowered to provide an additional seat at no extra cost to Customers who require one. If another seat is not available, we will work to accommodate the Customer on a later flight." If there aren’t two open seats next to each other when you get to the airport, you’re taking another flight. naafa.org/southwest for more.]
When the news broke, Southwest had not updated their website, and they were telling the media they didn’t know when those changes would be official. After a day of fat community and our media friends asking questions, they’ve now refreshed the policy on their website.
Southwest had to do something because our community loudly demanded change. But what they’ve done is not enough. We’re calling on Southwest to do more!
If you’ve already signed the petition to Southwest, THANK YOU. If you haven’t, join us today in telling Southwest that we want the old Customer of Size Policy back, and then some!
