Southwest Airlines Will Implement Two New Policy Changes Next January. Here’s What You Need To Know.
📝 usncan Note: Southwest Airlines Will Implement Two New Policy Changes Next January. Here’s What You Need To Know.
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Southwest Airlines is changing many of its long-standing policies, including free checked bags, open seating, and rules for plus-sized travelers.
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Southwest Airlines has had a busy year, busting up its brand identity by changing some of its most long-standing, fan-favorite policies, such as getting rid of free checked bags and open-seating.
According to reports, the changes come amidst a downturn in profitability and investor pressure to increase revenue, although Southwest CEO Bob Jordan argues that it’s all about “customer choice.”
That debate aside, we now have more details on when each of these new policies will take effect, and another announcement that will greatly impact plus-sized travelers.
Plus-Sized Travelers Must Now Purchase Two Tickets
Southwest announced this week that it is changing its seating policy regarding plus-sized travelers and how they must approach purchasing their seat(s).
Previously, Southwest allowed passengers who could not fit within one seat’s armrests to either purchase an extra seat in advance or ask for a second seat at the airport, often at no extra charge. If they did purchase a seat in advance but the airplane was not full, travelers had the option to request a refund afterward. This flexibility made Southwest a favored airline among plus-sized travelers in comparison to other airlines.
Starting January 27, 2026, however, things will get a little trickier. Southwest will require passengers who encroach upon an adjacent seat to purchase two seats in advance, either ahead of time or at the airport—no seats will be given for free, even if the plane is not at capacity.
If the passenger doesn’t pre-purchase the extra seat in advance and the flight ends up being full when they try to buy one at the airport, they will be denied boarding and rebooked on another flight.
The new rules say that the refund for the extra seat—should the plane not be full—is still possible; however, to get a refund, the flight must not be sold out, both seats must be in the same fare class, and the request made within 90 days.
It still should remain relatively easy for folks to request and receive a refund, even with the new criteria. But the main takeaway is that larger travelers will no longer be able to receive a free second seat, even if the flight is not sold out.
Seat Selection to Begin Next January
January will also mark the beginning of a new era in Southwest’s seat selection policy, when it will eliminate its long-standing open-seating policy in favor of assigned seating.
For all flights departing on or after January 27th, customers will pre-select their seats and perhaps even pay extra to choose premium seats. Details of the exact class and cabin breakdowns are still to come.
However, fliers can expect to be able to select their seat on Southwest flights next year, ending the airline’s historic run as the only large commercial airline to offer open seating.
While these changes may bring Southwest closer in line with its competitors, they also erode the brand identity that made the airline stand out for decades. For loyal travelers, 2026 will mark the end of an era, and the beginning of a more conventional—if less “Southwest”—flying experience.
