Southwest Airlines changes rules for plus-size passengers

Southwest Airlines is changing its seating policy for plus-size passengers.

Starting January 27, 2026, passengers who take up space in the neighboring seat will have to buy an extra ticket – and it might not be refunded.

The current rules allow flyers to buy an extra seat ahead of time and get refunded later — or request an extra seat at no charge at the airport.

Those options made Southwest popular with many plus-size passengers.

But the new rules mean the second seat will be nonrefundable unless the flight departs with at least one open seat — and both seats are purchased within the same fare class.

The move is the latest in a series of changes for Southwest.

The carrier has also ended its open seating policy and instituted checked baggage fees.