Southwest’s controversial seating policy is changing again—and the new version may surprise frequent flyers

Southwest Airlines has yet again made changes to its onboard policies. This time, the discount airline has partially rolled back a controversial requirement it introduced earlier this year for plus-sized passengers, which required them to book an adjacent seat in advance if they could not fit between a single seat’s armrests. Here’s what you need to know. Southwest will no longer force plus-sized passengers to buy an extra seat Last year, Southwest Airlines announced a new controversial policy affecting its plus-sized passengers. Beginning this past January, any plus-sized passenger who did not fit between the armrests of a single seat would be required to pay in advance for an extra adjacent seat. If the passenger did not, they would be required to purchase an extra seat at boarding. If no extra seat was available, the passenger would be denied boarding and would need to buy an additional seat on the next available flight. The policy quickly proved controversial, with many opponents labeling it a “fat tax.” It also likely blindsided many unsuspecting plus-sized passengers when they showed up at the airport and put stress on both the passenger and the Southwest employee who was stuck telling them they needed to purchase an additional seat or not be allowed on. But now Southwest has officially put an end to the directive that plus-sized passengers much purchase an additional seat at the time of booking—or be forced to buy one when they board. The airline confirmed the move to Fast Company in an email, with a company spokesperson saying the “subject is something that we have spent a great deal of time reviewing.” What are the new terms for plus-sized passengers on a Southwest flight? Under the changes Southwest is making to its plus-sized seating requirements, these are the new terms: Plus-sized passengers are no longer required to purchase an adjacent seat in advance. However, Southwest still recommends that they purchase an adjacent seat in advance in order to ensure there is space available on the flight they select. If a plus-sized passenger does not purchase an adjacent seat in advance, Southwest agents at the airport now have the authority to provide them an adjacent seat on the plane free of cost—provided one is available. If no adjacent seat is available, the plus-size passenger will be accommodated on a later flight. Additionally, if a plus-sized passenger purchases an adjacent seat in advance to secure their place on the flight, they can request a refund within 90 days of the flight, provided there was at least one empty seat available on the plane when it took off. “Southwest is working to create a more consistent and seamless experience for Customers who require an additional seat,” the company said in a statement, noting the above changes. “On flights where adjacent seats are available, our Agents at the airport are empowered to provide an additional seat at no extra cost to Customers who require one. If another seat is not available, we will work to accommodate the Customer on a later flight. We continue to encourage Customers who need an additional seat to book it in advance to help alleviate any last-minute inconvenience at the airport.” Southwest is directing passengers with more questions about the policy to its Customers of size help document online. Southwest has brought in a host of new policies in the past year Southwest has long been America’s premier discount airline, with passengers adoring the company for its bags-fly-free and open-seating policies. But in the past few years, the airline has put a stop to those beloved policies in an effort to increase profits. The company now requires that most of its passengers pay a fee for checked baggage, has eliminated open seating, and will only be able to carry one device charger onto a plane. But on the plus side—at least if you’re an investor—the company’s stock price has been on an upward trajectory for over a year. Shares in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) have risen by about 5 year-to-date, even though the airline industry is facing massive fuel costs due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. And over the past 12 months, LUV shares have increased by more than 28.