One Airline Offers Plus-Size Airline Passengers Free Second Seats
Flying can be a nerve-wracking and uncomfortable experience for both plus-sized airline passengers and those who may wind up sitting next to them, considering that not everyone can afford to purchase an extra ticket for a second seat. But one airline has a policy that provides a free extra seat for customers who need them.
According to the Southwest Airlines website, any passengers “who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat” are eligible for a free second (or third) seat if needed. Customers are given the option of purchasing an extra seat in advance and being refunded, or discussing their seating needs with the customer service agent at the departure gate. If additional seats are needed, they will be provided complimentary of the airline.
“We’ve had a long-standing policy for more than 30 years designed to meet the seating needs of customers who require more than one seat and protect the comfort and safety of everyone onboard,” the airline states on its website.
Though the policy has been around for decades, some travelers are just learning about it now, thanks to TikTok videos making the rounds from plus-sized travel influencers. In one clip posted back in October, self-described “Fat Solo Traveller” KimmyStyled filmed herself taking advantage of the policy at a Southwest gate.
How to use @southwestair customer of size policy. Southwest is the only airline that allows you a second seat at no extra cost even if the flight is FULLY booked. You HAVE to use it at the departing gate when you start your journey. If you don’t use it going out you cant use it flying back. Go to the departing gate agent and kindly ask them to use the customer of size policy. I’ve done this a dozen times and never had an issue or been denied. They will print you a new ticket + a second ticket to put down on your free seat. You will also be allowed to pre board! Enter the aircraft, get your seatbelt extender, and grab your seat! I place the ticket in the seat next to me. I always take the window seat. If anyone tries to sit it in I kindly let them know I have two seats booked. To be honest I almost never get approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane ?. I’ve heard from others sometimes southwest will just put customer of size in your account so anytime you approach the main ticket gate you’ll get both your tickets at once but this hasn’t happened to me yet. I think this has to do with how “visibly fat” you are. Public airplanes are public transportation and should be accessible and comfortable for us all. I applaud @southwestair for being the only airline with a fair and humane way of flying fat passengers with dignity. We shouldn’t have to pay for two seats. Seats should be larger for all people including tall and pregnant passengers. Since airlines got deregulated it’s been an ADA nightmare. Airlines should also allow wheelchairs in the cabin esp power wheelchairs. This is an access issue at the end of the day and discriminatory to fat and disabled customers. #southwest #southwestairlines #customerofsize #customerofsizepolicy #plussize #plussizetravel #traveltips #plussizetraveltok #traveltok
“Hi, I’m hoping to use your customer of size policy today,” Kimmy says in the video. As she notes in a caption, the airline will provide pre-board and an extra seat at no cost, even on fully-booked flights. The video also shows her asking for a seatbelt extender to accommodate the extra seat.
She adds that Southwest is the only airline that has a policy like this for customers of size, and said she thinks it should be the norm. “Flying is public transportation and should be comfortable and accessible for all people including fat and disabled people,” she writes.
However, while Kimmy mentions that she’s asked for the accommodation a dozen times and had never had an issue or been denied, Southwest does note on the website that it would prefer that plus-sized customers plan for an extra seat in advance.
“Purchasing a second seat in advance allows us to account for the inventory need and greatly helps reduce the likelihood of an oversale situation,” the website states. “Also, you may not want to be approached at the airport or have a conversation with an agent about your seating needs—you may prefer to know you have the needed number of seats, and booking two gives you these options. We refund all extra seat purchases for a customer of size, even if the flight oversells.”
