An airline has ignited significant controversy online among plus-sized activists after announcing a new seating rule that has sparked intense criticism.

Southwest Airlines has revealed that passengers who find it difficult to fit into a single seat on their aircraft may now have to purchase an additional seat. The budget airline stated that this policy will be effective starting January 27, when the company also plans to implement assigned seating, ending its long-standing quirky boarding process that has allowed passengers to choose their seats upon entering the plane.

For many plus-sized travelers, Southwest Airlines has long been a preferred airline due to its more inclusive policies. Passengers could either pay for an extra seat in advance and receive a refund afterward, or request a free extra seat at the airport. However, this policy seems to be coming to an end, as the company announced on Monday (August 25) that passengers requiring an extra seat will now need to pay for it in advance, with no guarantee of a refund.

Fans of the airline had considered it a top choice for plus-sized travelers due to its accommodating rules. The airline's announcement, however, has caused significant dismay. "To ensure adequate space, we are informing customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase the additional seat at the time of booking," the statement said, according to reports from AP.

Southwest Airlines clarified that it would refund the cost of the second seat only if the flight isn't fully booked at the time of departure and if both seats were purchased under the same booking. The passenger must also submit their refund request within 90 days of the flight.

The new policy further specifies that travelers who do not book an additional seat in advance will have to buy one at the airport, where the cost will likely be a 'walk-up fare,' which may be different from the price of their originally booked seat. If that is not possible and the flight is fully booked, they will be rebooked on a later flight.

This change has already stirred reactions from body positivity and plus-sized advocacy groups, such as Tigress Osborn, the executive director of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, who expressed concerns in an interview with The Washington Post. She stated that the new policy could price out larger travelers from flying altogether. "They can’t afford to take that gamble," Osborn remarked. "We’re hearing from a lot of people who say this will literally prevent them from traveling by air."

Jason Vaughn, a travel agent from Orlando who shares travel tips for plus-sized individuals on his website, Fat Travel Tested, believes the policy will negatively impact everyone. "I think it’s going to make the flying experience worse for everybody," Vaughn commented. "They no longer seem to know who their customers are," he added, referring to the airline's changing identity.

Passengers who require an additional seat will need to fork out extra for it (Getty Stock Image)

Another Southwest Airlines enthusiast, Corinne Fay, who writes for the fashion newsletter Big Undies, said the new rule made her feel "like crying because it'll make my life a lot harder." She noted, "We’re talking about the difference between spending $400 versus $800 or even more."

However, some Reddit users expressed support for the new policy, stating that it was not a controversial move. "If you need two seats to fly, then you need to pay for two seats. Why is that controversial?" one user wrote. Another added, "Additional luggage is charged per kg, so why shouldn’t people be charged for every kg over, say, 100kg?" A third commenter agreed, stating, "Good. Airlines have been charging tall people extra for more legroom for years."

Southwest Airlines, in a statement to UNILAD, explained, "We are updating many of our policies as we prepare our operation, employees, and customers for assigned seating on January 27, 2026. To ensure proper space, we are notifying customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase the additional seat at booking."