Southwest Airlines has announced that it is changing its policy for passengers who cannot fit within the armrests of their seat in a move that has split opinion
A major US airline will soon require travellers who cannot fit within the armrests of their seat to purchase an additional one in advance.
The new rule—part of a series of recent changes Southwest Airlines is implementing—takes effect on January 27, the same day it begins assigning seats. It has proved particularly controversial. While some love the idea and see it as a fair one, others have argued it will make things worse for all passengers.
At present, plus-size passengers can either purchase an extra seat beforehand with the possibility of receiving that money back later, or they can request a complimentary additional seat at the airport. Under the carrier’s updated policy, a refund remains possible but is no longer guaranteed.
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In a statement on Monday, Southwest said it is revising some of its policies as it prepares for assigned seating next year.
“To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking,” the statement said.
It represents the latest modification at Southwest, which had long been recognised for allowing its passengers to choose their own seats after boarding the aircraft, and for permitting their bags to fly for free, which ended in May. Those benefits were crucial to distinguishing the budget carrier from its competitors.
Southwest says it will still reimburse a second ticket under its new policy for extra seating if the flight isn’t fully booked at the time of departure, and if both of the passengers’ tickets were bought in the same booking class.
The passenger also needs to request the refund within 90 days of the flight. Under the new policy, passengers who require an extra seat but fail to purchase one in advance will be obliged to buy one at the airport.
If the flight is fully booked, they will be rebooked onto another flight.
Jason Vaughn, an Orlando-based travel agent who shares theme park reviews and travel advice for plus-size individuals on social media and his website, Fat Travel Tested, believes this change will affect travellers of all sizes. He said that Southwest’s current policy made flying more comfortable for plus-size passengers while ensuring everyone had enough room in their seats.
“I think it’s going to make the flying experience worse for everybody,” he commented on the new rule.
Vaughn described the change as another disappointment for loyal Southwest customers like himself, comparing it to the recent logo change by Cracker Barrel that upset some of the restaurant’s fans.
“They have no idea anymore who their customer is,” he said about the airline. “They have no identity left.”
On the Southwest Airlines subreddit, some criticised the policy, arguing that it would penalise those with different sized bodies. One person wrote: “I have broad shoulders. My issue with seats has nothing to do with me being fat or lazy. Seat size, aisle size, foot space, it’s all shrinking. Be careful, you cheer this too much you may find youself kicked off for not being small enough.”
Others were more positive about the policy. “It’s fair. Being way overweight and encroaching on others, especially on long flights, is just awful for everyone,” one person contributed to the discussion. Another added: “Now let’s do the same for men who spread their legs and feet into others’ footwells and space too.”
The airline has been struggling recently and is facing pressure from activist investors to increase profits and revenue. Last year, it announced plans to charge customers extra for additional legroom and offer overnight flights.