Southwest Airlines has introduced a new policy requiring passengers who cannot fit within the armrests of a seat to purchase an additional seat in advance. The rule will take effect on January 27 next year, the same day the U.S. carrier introduces assigned seating, moving away from its long-standing open boarding practice.
Until now, larger passengers could either pay for an extra seat in advance with the option of receiving a refund, or request one free of charge at the airport. Under the new rules, refunds are still possible but no longer guaranteed. The airline states that a refund will only be granted if an empty seat remains on the flight, provided that both tickets were purchased under the same fare type and the refund request is submitted within 90 days of travel.
In a statement, Southwest said it is informing passengers who have previously used this policy that they should purchase the additional seat at the time of booking to ensure space. The change comes after the airline discontinued some of its other well-known perks, such as free checked baggage, which once set Southwest apart from its competitors.
The U.S. low-cost carrier has in recent years faced financial pressures and demands from investors to boost revenue and profitability. In this context, the airline has already announced the introduction of overnight flights and additional charges for seats with extra legroom, with the new rules on extra seats being just another step in adapting to market conditions.
