The policy change comes just months after Southwest tightened the policy for plus-sized passengers who may require an extra seat.
WASHINGTON — Southwest Airlines has updated its policy for plus-sized travelers to allow for gate agents to give customers extra seats free of charge if needed.
“On flights where adjacent seats are available, our Agents at the airport are empowered to provide an additional seat at no extra cost to Customers who require one,” an airline spokesperson confirmed on Friday. “If another seat is not available, we will work to accommodate the Customer on a later flight. We continue to encourage Customers who need an additional seat to book it in advance to help alleviate any last-minute inconvenience at the airport.”
The policy change comes month after Southwest tightened its policy, encouraging “customers of size” to book more than one seat in advance if they “encroach upon” neighboring seats.
“The armrest is considered definitive boundary between seats,” Southwest says on its website.
Southwest said the policy change was part of an effort to ” create a more consistent and seamless experience for Customers who require an additional seat.”
The policy change comes just months after Southwest tightened the policy for plus-sized passengers who may require an extra seat. The Texas-based airline had a longstanding policy of encouraging “customers of size” to book two seats when purchasing their flights and refunding them for the additional seat after they travel. The changes, enacted in January, restricted the conditions in which the refunds can be provided.
Despite the policy change, Southwest still encourages plus-sized travelers to book in advance on its website.
“If you require more than one seat, we strongly recommend that you book both seats when making your reservation to ensure availability. If you have not reserved adjacent seats before arriving to the airport and adjacent seats are not available, you’ll be rebooked on another flight with available seating,” Southwest says on its website.