If you or a loved one has relied on Southwest for size accessibility when traveling by plane, be sure you understand how Southwest’s new policies work so you’re not caught by surprise when you fly.
In 2024, Southwest Airlines announced they would switch from their open seating model to assigned seating. In 2025, they quietly made adjustments to their longtime Customer of Size Policy, moving away from guaranteeing a second seat to anyone who needs more space and eliminating the option to request an extra seat at the airport. On January 27, 2026, assigned seating began on Southwest, and with it, Customers of Size became ineligible for refunds on additional seats if the flight is sold out. On May 29, 2026 Southwest reverted one part of the policy, now allowing for the possibility of a Customer of Size receiving accommodations at no charge, but with many restrictions still making it unlikely for fat flyers to avoid purchasing second seats.
NAAFA and many other activists, advocates, and influencers worked to convince Southwest to leave the 2024-era Customer of Size Policy alone...or to improve it! Instead, Southwest adopted a more restrictive policy..
Here are seven major ways Southwest’s policies have changed:
Open Seating has been replaced by Assigned Seating.
Customers of Size are strongly advised to purchase their extra seat(s) in advance.
If you arrive for your flight without having purchased an extra seat, and Southwest (at their sole discretion) decides you need one, you will either:
Be given an extra seat at no cost, but only if two adjacent seats are available.
Be rebooked on a later flight with two adjacent seats available, regardless of how long it would require you to wait.
Customers of Size are no longer guaranteed a refund for extra seat(s).
Customers of Size are no longer automatically assigned to pre-board and are expected to board with their assigned group, which is based on fare tier and seat location. If you are a Customer of Size, you can request preboarding. Airlines technically are not allowed to ask why you need to preboard, but many agents still do. “I need extra time,” is the best response if asked.
The newer planes in Southwest’s fleet (Boeing 737 MAX 8) have front row (bulkhead) seats that have fixed armrests. These front rows cannot be used for Customers of Size who need more than one seat because the armrest doesn’t raise.
Southwest has also eliminated their popular Bags Fly Free policy. Some fat and/or disabled people may not be able to fit everything they need in a small carry-on, resulting in more expenses that thinner or able-bodied passengers may not incur.
Find more details on our FAQ page.
