An airline has stirred outrage among plus-sized advocates after introducing a contentious new seating policy.

Southwest Airlines has declared that passengers who are unable to fit into a single seat on its flight may be required to purchase an additional seat.

The budget airlines announced that the new policy would go into effect on January 27, when the business will also allocate passengers to seats, ditching its long-standing eccentric boarding ritual that enabled passengers to choose their own seats after coming onboard the plane.

Southwest has also been a popular choice for plus-size passengers since they may pay for an extra ticket in advance and return the money or request a free extra seat at the airport.

However, that looks to be coming to an end, with the firm announcing on Monday (August 25) that anyone requiring an extra seat will need to pay for it in advance, and refunds are no longer guaranteed.

“To ensure space, we are communicating to customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking,” the release stated, according to the Associated Press.

Southwest said it will be able to reimburse for a second seat if the aircraft is not completely filled at the time of departure and both tickets were acquired through the same booking.

In addition, the passenger must submit their refund request within 90 days of the flight.

The new policy states that passengers who don’t pre-book an extra ticket must buy one at the airport, which will be charged at a ‘walk-up rate’ that may differ from their pre-booked seat.

If it is not feasible and the flight is fully filled, they will be rebooked on another flight.

Some body positive and plus-sized advocacy groups have already expressed concern over the decision, including Tigress Osborn, executive director of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, who told The Washington Post that it may price larger visitors out of the luxury.

“They can’t afford to take that gamble,” Osborn added. “We are hearing from a lot of people about how this will literally mean they cannot travel by air anymore.”

Jason Vaughn, an Orlando-based travel agent who offers travel recommendations for plus-size persons on his website Fat Travel Tested, added, “I think it’s going to make the flying experience worse for everybody.”

“They have no idea anymore who their customer is,” he claimed of the airline. “They have no identity left.”

Another Southwest Airlines enthusiast, Corinne Fay, who writes for the fashion publication Big Undies, said the new restriction made her ‘feel like sobbing because it’ll make my life a lot worse.

“We’re talking about the difference between spending $400 versus $800 or even more,” she informed us.

However, when the subject was discussed on Reddit, scores of people stated that they saw no problem with the policy.

“You must pay for both seats if you require two to travel.” Why is that controversial?” Someone wrote one.

“Controversial, but I think you should also pay accordingly if you weigh the equivalent of two people,” a colleague remarked. “Additional luggage is charged per kg, so why shouldn’t people be charged for every kg over, say, 100 kg?”

A third said, “Good. For years, airlines have charged tall individuals like me an additional fee for greater legroom.”

Southwest Airlines said in a statement to UNILAD: “We are changing several procedures as we prepare our operations, employees, and customers for allocated seating on January 27, 2026. To assure room, we are informing customers who have previously utilized the additional seat policy that they need to purchase it when booking.”