What To Know About Southwest Airlines’ Up to date ‘Customer Of Size’ Policy

Southwest Airlines introduced modifications to its buyer of dimension coverage that it’ll implement beginning in 2026. The change is necessary to notice for Southwest vacationers who want multiple reserved aircraft seat, equivalent to some plus-sized vacationers or these with disabilities. Also, the provider may decide {that a} traveler might have an extra seat for security causes. However, beneath its new buyer of dimension coverage, Southwest will solely refund passengers for the additional seat (or seats) bought beneath three circumstances.

Under the up to date coverage, to get one’s a reimbursement for an extra seat bought, vacationers might want to make their refund request inside 90 days of journey. Also, flyers might want to purchase all their seats “in the same fare class.” Another situation is that no less than one of many seats bought by the traveler should stay open on the flight.

The new buyer of dimension coverage will go into impact on January 27. Until then, Southwest vacationers will abide by the provider’s open seating and present buyer of dimension protocol. On January 26, 2026, the airline will swap to working by an assigned seating mannequin.

What Else Is There to Know About Southwest Airlines’ Customer Of Size Policy?

Under Southwest’s present coverage, the airline encourages vacationers to buy the variety of seats they want. That means, they’ll take proactive motion to make sure the provider reserves sufficient house for them. Then, these vacationers are given a “seat reserved” signal that they placed on their further seat(s). After the flight, the traveler can request a refund on the acquisition of their additional seat(s) in the event that they need to.

Flyers touring with any of Southwest’s provider companions will nonetheless want to arrange their seating preparations with that different airline. Southwest received’t refund additional seats bought to accommodate further house a traveler will want on a associate provider’s flight.

“Any customer traveling on an itinerary that includes a partner carrier and who cannot be safely accommodated in a single seat will be required to purchase an additional, non-refundable seat. You must contact the partner carrier to complete the purchase,” says Southwest.