Southwest Airlines Tightens Plus-Size Refund Policy January 2026

Southwest Airlines is implementing a new seating policy effective January 27, 2026, requiring plus-size passengers who do not fit within the armrests of a single seat to purchase an additional seat upfront, with refunds for the second seat only available under strict conditions including flight availability and fare class. This change aligns Southwest more closely with competitors but has sparked significant backlash from plus-size travelers and advocacy groups, who argue it makes flying prohibitively expensive and may prevent many from traveling altogether. Critics express concern that the policy shift undermines Southwest's historic reputation for accommodating plus-size passengers and could negatively impact the broader travel experience and tourism industry by reducing affordability. The airline emphasizes that only a small fraction of customers request extra seats and advises passengers to purchase needed seats at booking to ensure availability. Meanwhile, leadership experts highlight the broader dilemma of balancing empathetic exceptions with maintaining consistent policies, warning that codifying exceptions may erode organizational standards over time. Overall, the policy change represents a tension between operational efficiency and inclusivity, with wide-ranging implications for Southwest's customer base and the travel sector.