Southwest Airlines seating policy is being updated with another longstanding seating policy. This policy will take effect on January 27, 2026. According to this policy, plus-size people will have to purchase an additional ticket, and there won’t be any refund policy applicable to the other ticket. Previously, Southwest Airlines was not strict with plus-size passengers because they could purchase extra seats at an additional cost. Even passengers could request an extra seat without paying any charges, with a refund policy.
Why is Southwest Airlines Changing the Way it Does Things?
Southwest Airlines is preparing for an assigned seating policy next year, and they made a statement about it
“To ensure space, we are communicating to customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking.”
–Statement made by Southwest Airlines
Through this statement, Southwest Airlines is clear that it is planning something big to provide a seat number to each passenger. Under the new Southwest Airlines seating policy, passengers can request a refund, but it won’t be as easy as it used to be.
As I mentioned above, passengers were able to get an extra seat easily without any charges under the previous Southwest Airlines seating policy , but now they will have to buy the extra seat. Old customers are not happy with Southwest Airlines assigned seat policy.
According to the assigned seating, travelers must book their seats ahead of time, and to request a refund, they must do it within ninety days of the flight.
What happens if the traveler doesn’t buy ahead of time?
Travelers who need extra seats, like plus-size people, will have to book their seats ahead of time or buy them at the airport. They could be put on another flight if the first one is already full. People are worried about this new change, and they made many comments on New seating policy.
What do customers think about the New Southwest Airlines seating Policy?
Frequent flyers of Southwest Airlines are upset with this new change. They said Southwest Airlines is losing touch with its customers.
“Southwest was the only beacon of hope for many fat people who otherwise wouldn’t have been flying, and now that beacon has gone out.”
-Ms. Osborn
“I have been exclusively flying Southwest because of their customer size policy. If you’re already budgeting, and now you’ve got to add $300 to $400 to your budget, that may mean fewer travelers.”
—Ms. Bivens
These comments are enough to explain that passengers were traveling on Southwest Airlines because of their plus-size policy. With this change, almost every passenger is heartbroken.
Southwest Airlines’ new boarding groups
Due to Southwest Airlines assigned policy, it has moved its boarding groups from position-based to group-based boarding. According to this, from now on, there will be eight boarding groups on every flight. Groups will be assigned to passengers on the basis of their ticket and frequent flyer status.
Groups 1 and 2
All the passengers with a Choice Extra ticket and passengers with extra legroom seats will be sent to group 1 and group 2.
Groups 3 and 5
All the passengers with a Choice preferred ticket bundle will be sent to the boarding groups 3 and 5.
Groups 6 and 8
Those passengers having Choice and Basic ticket bundles are sent to these groups for boarding.
You can understand these new boarding groups through the tables mentioned below-
| Boarding Group By Fare | |
| Choice Extra | Group 1-2 |
| Choice Preferred | Group 3-5 |
| Choice | Group 5-8 |
| Basic | Last to board |
| Boarding Group By Rapid Rewards Tier Status | |
| A-List Preferred | Group 1-2 |
| A-List | Group 1-5 |
| Boarding Group For Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers | |
| Basic and Choice fares | Group 5 |
Southwest Airlines also announced that priority boarding will be available for purchase separately starting 24 hours before departure.
Read Blog More: How to Cancel a Southwest Airlines Flight?
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Airlines Assigned seating policy (FAQ)
From next year, 27 jun 2025, the new Southwest Airlines seating policy will be applied. Under this policy, plus-size passengers must buy two seats.
Previously, boarding was position-based, but now it has changed to group-based. There will be eight groups now for boarding.
Conclusion
Southwest Airlines seating policy has changed, but people are neither happy nor supportive of this decision. As this Southwest Airlines assigned seating policy requires customers to purchase two seats. Previously, it was free of cost, and now refunding has also become a tough procedure for people. Now, if you are planning to fly with Southwest Airlines, you will have to book ahead of time.
