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What readers think of Southwest’s new plus-size passenger policy
"If you take up an extra seat, you need to pay for the extra seat."
Southwest will soon require plus-size passengers to buy an extra seat that may not be reimbursed and Boston.com readers overwhelmingly agree with the new rule, according to an informal Boston.com poll.
Beginning early next year, passengers who “encroach upon the neighboring seat” will have to buy another ticket that may not be refunded. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay ahead of time for an extra seat and get refunded at a later date or request an extra seat for free at the airport on the day of travel.
With the new policy, a refund is possible but no longer guaranteed. The policy says Southwest will refund the second ticket only if the flight isn’t fully booked at the time of departure. Also, if passengers don’t purchase the extra seat ahead of time, they will be required to buy one at the airport and, if the flight is full, be rebooked on a different flight. The policy change begins Jan. 27, 2026.
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Of the more than 500 responses to our poll, 86% of readers agree with the policy change, 12% do not, and 2% were not sure.
Do you agree with the new Southwest rule for plus-size passengers?
Yes.
86%
No.
12%
I'm not sure.
2%
Here’s what readers had to say:
Yes, plus-size passengers should pay for another seat
“The airline is selling space, if you need more space, you should have to pay for it.” — Twiggy from Cambridge
“There’s a point where you need to take accountability for yourself. You can’t expect to be accommodated if you weigh 600 lbs.” — Jim from Reading
“I was once seated beside an extra plus size woman on a full flight. Part of her body was spilling over the arm rest and on top of me. This made me very uncomfortable the whole flight.” — Cathleen from Middleborough
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“Not fair for passenger sitting next to someone whose size interferes with their safety and comfort” — Frank from Andover
“If you take up all of your seat, and half of mine. Should we pay the same amount?” — John from Oceanside Calif., formerly of Abington
“If you take up an extra seat, you need to pay for the extra seat. The fact that they may refund the cost is quite generous.” — Kevin from Boston
“Wouldn’t anyone like two seats for the price of one?” — Sally from Arlington
“Airlines could create a fairer pricing system by charging passengers based on total weight, including both body weight and luggage, rather than relying solely on flat ticket prices and baggage fees.” — Erin from Massachusetts
“Unless you’re a viking or Shaq, the need for extra-space is at the inconvenience to those who don’t need the extra space. Being overweight should not be encouraged by making free accommodations. Overweight people should be incentivized to get healthy, not stay unhealthy. My spouse is very small (barely 5’1″ and maybe 105 lbs). She doesn’t get a discount for taking up less space.” — Adam from North Attleboro
“I have been seated next to someone who took up part of my seat because of their girth. I hate flying in the first place but being uncomfortable makes it 1,000 times worse. I feel badly but I do not see any other solution.” — Jim from Marlborough
No, plus-size passengers should not have to pay more
“This policy is a bit rude and certainly discriminatory. Why don’t they make families with irritating children purchase a seat AND charge for extra clean up?I am a ‘normal’ sized woman & truly feel that this policy is so demeaning. This is a public humiliation to a person that wants to get from point A to B in peace.” — Anonymous from Fort Lauderdale
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“Seats should be larger to be reasonably comfortable for everyone. No one should be made to pay double.” — Anonymous
“Plus size need to be able to travel too. Now it makes it to expensive!” — Anonymous from West Warwick, R.I.
“It’s shaming certain people.” — Anonymous
“I have friends that are larger, it doesn’t make them different. They should have the same rights, meaning same cost.” — Mark from Reading
“Large people, in my experience are considerate and overly self conscious of the space they take up. We are all humans and sometimes we contact each other inadvertently during the course of travel. Nobody should be shamed or made to spend more money because the airlines need to pack as many people as possible into a plane.” — John from South Shore
“How can they not tell people what their ticket is going to cost ahead of time? “Your ticket is either $300 or $600.” That’s outrageous.” — Michele from Needham
“Oversize people have enough problems.” — Charlie from the North Shore
“It’s not fair. One person equals one ticket.” — Anonymous from Malden
“Because the allotted seat spaces on planes is too small for a normal size person, let alone an athlete, pregnant woman, or someone with fluffy love handles, like me.” — Anonymous
I’m not sure
“I agree with charging more if the flight is full. But it should be refundable if not.”— Megan from Boston
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“Seems like a complicated issue. Cheap flying in general is not a right. Seems there is a lot to consider (other passengers and the financial health of the airline). If you need two seats you should likely pay for two seats.” — Todd from Coolidge Corner
Responses have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
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