Southwest Airlines recently introduced a new rule for plus-sized passengers that could make fares a lot more expensive.
From 27 January 2026, travellers who can’t fit within the armrests of their seat will need to book an additional one before they fly.
Currently, plus-size travellers can request an additional seat, then apply for a refund, or request a complimentary seat at the airport.
Under the new rules, however, this option may not be available, and refunds won’t be guaranteed.
A refund will only be granted if at least one seat on the flight was empty at departure and if both tickets were purchased in the same booking class.
In other words, passengers can no longer assume that an extra seat will automatically qualify for a refund.
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Many plus-sized travellers are disappointed by the change. Southwest has long had a reputation for being a friendly, customer-first company — but this policy seems to signal a change.
Tigress Osborn, chair of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, told the New York Times: ‘Southwest was the only beacon of hope for many fat people who otherwise wouldn’t have been flying. And now that beacon has gone out.’
It’s no secret that bodies have gotten larger over time. Worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, according to the WHO.
In the UK alone, government statistics show that in 2022 to 2023, more than half (64%) of adults aged 18 years and over in England were estimated to be overweight or living with obesity.
But it’s also worth noting another trend.
When Metro asked readers to share their thoughts on the new rules, many speculated that carriers could be offering smaller seats to fit more people in.
Dawn Henriksen wrote: ‘Perhaps the airlines could stop shrinking the seats. I’m 5ft 4in and legroom is lacking. I’m not obese but there’s no wiggle room in the seat width.’
Kim Hawkinson agreed:’Why not just make seats larger so everyone has more space? Every time I fly it seems like less and less room.’
Others argued that aviation authorities should set minimum seat space and legroom dimensions.
John Griffith said: ‘The airlines are cramming in as many seats as possible, neglecting basic comfort of the average-sized people.
John also claimed it could impact passenger safety: ‘It is becoming a safety issue as to how long it takes to evacuate a plane, more people = more time.’
Tasha Lane agreed: ‘I’m a normal-sized woman and it always feels cramped in those seats.’
Darlene Milam had a similar experience: ‘I’m a small-framed woman, and even I’m not comfortable.’
They make a good point.
In 2018, Congress told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US government agency responsible for the public’s flying safety, to set seat-size minimums that would protect passenger safety.
The FAA asked the public to share their thoughts on airline seats, and it was… revealing.
Before the comment period ended in November 2024, the agency received more than 26,000 overwhelmingly negative responses detailing why current airline seats are uncomfortable, pose health risks, and are not conducive to passenger safety.
Fact check: Have plane seats gotten smaller?
In a word, yes.
You’re not imagining that plane seats have been shrinking. They have been, gradually but quite consistently, for more than 25 years now.
In the US, the Big Four domestic carriers – that’s American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest, and United – have lost anywhere from 2 to 5 inches in legroom pitch, and 2 inches in seat width since the 1980s.
The average legroom pitch today clocks in at about 31 inches.
But this time around, a spokesperson for Southwest told Metro they are not reducing or changing the size of their seats in any way.
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