Southwest Airlines Implements New Seating Policy for Plus-Size Travelers

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Southwest Airlines Implements New Seating Policy for Plus-Size Travelers

It was one year earlier that Southwest Airlines announced a shift in its seating policies. This change will directly affect plus-size travelers when the airline switches to assigned seating in early 2024. Effective January 27, 2024 under the new policy, refunds for additional seating will come only in… There’s a catch or two when it comes to these refunds.

Passengers who purchase an additional seat for more space are refunded. Only under the condition that there is an open seat when they leave, per July’s revised guidance. This refund is contingent upon both tickets being purchased in the same booking class, reflecting the airline’s efforts to accommodate larger passengers while managing seat availability. Southwest emphasized the importance of this process, stating, “To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking.”

Making these new policies go into effect is a big step forward, especially paired with the introduction of assigned seating. It would be a huge shift from the Southwest way of doing things — they’ve since their creation allowed people to pick their seat once they got on board. The airline hopes to do this by making the boarding process more efficient and providing a better overall experience for the traveler.

Southwest to introduce red-eye flights, too! They will begin charging customers a premium for additional legroom, radically reshaping their fare structure once again. Earlier this year, the airline took a large step back. It axed its hallmark policy of providing checked bags for free, something that has always set it apart from the overall service model.

Passengers who have been charged additional fees for extra seating must file a refund request within 90 days from their flight. The airline has been clear that customers wishing to receive a refund can still do so under the new policy. These are no longer guarantees. This change falls in line with a larger recent trend in the airline industry to adopt harsher policies making seating assignments and fare increases even more prevalent.

Southwest is in the middle of implementing changes to better serve their customers. These updates fall in line with their long-time mission to improve operational efficiency, as they still roll out assigned seating.

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