What New Conditions are Southwest Airlines Introducing for Passengers, You Need To Know

Starting January 27, 2026, Southwest Airlines will implement assigned seating on its flights, requiring plus-size passengers to purchase the necessary number of seats prior to travel to guarantee additional, adjacent seating. Southwest has emphasized the importance of proactive seat selection at booking for those who require extra space, with refund eligibility for passengers who meet specific criteria.

If a plus-size passenger buys an extra seat and finds that one or more seats on the flight remain empty, they may qualify for a refund. To receive the refund, the conditions state that both seats purchased must be in the same fare class, and the request must be made within 90 days of the flight. Additionally, refunds will only be approved if the flight departs with at least one seat unoccupied or with space-available passengers.

In previous years, Southwest Airlines encouraged plus-size passengers to purchase a second seat, but with fewer restrictions on refunds. The airline now aims to standardize the process and provide clearer guidance for customers of size who need extra seating.

The primary change affecting plus-size passengers is the proactive purchase of additional seats before traveling. To help passengers assess whether they need extra space, Southwest Airlines provides details on the seat dimensions for its Boeing 737 aircraft, listing the seat widths from 15.5 inches at the narrowest to 17.8 inches at the widest. The airline has clarified that the definitive seat boundary is the armrest, which will serve as the standard measurement for determining whether an additional seat is needed.

This policy change could cause some concern among passengers, particularly when it comes to managing the uncertainty of whether flights will be sold out or whether additional seats will be available. The refund policy is designed to offer reassurance, but the need to actively monitor seat availability may still create stress for some customers.

For travelers flying on Southwest Airlines partner carriers, the airline has set out that passengers must directly purchase an additional seat through the partner airline. These additional seats will be non-refundable, and passengers should ensure that they meet the specific policies of the partner airline to avoid any complications during travel. Southwest Airlines has made it clear that these conditions apply solely to its partner carriers, with different procedures for handling extra seat requests.