Overview

• Travelers who encroach on neighboring seats must buy a second seat at booking or risk purchasing one at the airport or being rebooked on a later flight.
• A refund will be issued only if the flight departs with at least one open seat, both seats were bought in the same fare class, and a request is made within 90 days.
• The change arrives the day Southwest replaces open seating with assigned seats, part of a broader overhaul of fares and policies.
• Plus-size advocates, including Jen McLellan and NAAFA’s Tigress Osborn, say the shift raises costs and barriers, while some passengers argue it protects seat comfort.
• Southwest says fewer than 1% of customers request an extra seat; the move narrows a once unique accommodation and aligns more closely with industry norms, with Alaska offering a limited refund option.