08/24/2025
According to the New York Times is changing another longstanding seating policy. Beginning Jan. 27, 2026, the airline will require passengers who “encroach upon the neighboring seat” to proactively purchase an additional ticket, which might not be refunded.
Previously, passengers could either pay the cost of an extra seat ahead of time (and later receive a refund) or show up at the airport and request an extra seat at no charge, which made Southwest a carrier of choice for many plus-size passengers.
