HOUSTON – Southwest Airlines is making a major change to a controversial policy that sparked backlash from passengers earlier this year.
The Dallas-based airline announced it will now provide an additional seat at no extra charge for customers who need more space during their flight.
Recommended Videos
The move comes after Southwest introduced a policy in January requiring some plus-size passengers to purchase a second seat upfront. Under that policy, travelers could later request a refund for the extra ticket, but critics argued the requirement placed an unfair financial burden on customers.
Now, Southwest says eligible passengers who require an additional seat will no longer have to pay for it.
According to the airline, customers needing extra space will be accommodated with an additional seat free of charge whenever adjacent seats are available.
If a flight is too full to provide the extra seat, Southwest says it will rebook the passenger on a later flight where the accommodation can be made.
The updated policy marks a significant shift for the airline, which faced criticism from passengers and body-positivity advocates following the January announcement.
Southwest has long promoted itself as a customer-friendly carrier, and the policy revision appears aimed at addressing concerns about accessibility, comfort, and fairness for all travelers.
The change is expected to impact passengers nationwide, including travelers flying through Houston’s two major airports, William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where Southwest remains one of the busiest carriers.
The airline has not indicated whether additional changes to its seating policies are under consideration.