Whenever I fly I’m always looking for a little extra space. If I can snag an exit row or bulkhead I’ll take it. If I’ve got status with an airline I’ll sometimes get a free upgrade which is great. And I always check the seat map on the airline’s app before boarding. If I see a row with an empty middle seat I try to move there. Last week on my trip from Las Vegas it actually worked and saved me some elbow room.
Space on planes is always a sensitive topic and now Southwest has made some big changes for plus-size passengers. They’re moving to assigned seating starting January 27, 2026 and the rules around needing extra seats are getting stricter.
Here’s what Southwest says:
The armrest is the line. If you spill over into the next seat you’re supposed to buy an extra one ahead of time.
Don’t wait until the airport. If you show up without buying the extra seat you’ll have to pay the day-of price. If the flight is sold out with no seats next to you, they’ll put you on a later flight.
Refunds are still possible. If the flight leaves with at least one empty seat you can ask for your money back within 90 days.
Seat assignments can get tricky. Some fares let you pick your seat when you book, some don’t. If you need two seats together it’s best to call Southwest right after booking.
You can’t buy a seat just to keep it empty. You need it because you actually need it.
This is a big change from how it used to be. Before you could buy an extra seat and get a refund later if the flight wasn’t full. Now if you don’t plan ahead you might have to pay a lot more or wait for a different flight.
I get why they are doing it. With assigned seating they need a clear rule. Saying the armrest is the boundary makes it objective but it’s still going to be awkward for some people.
I think this isn’t just a plus-size thing. Airplane seats are tiny and almost everyone feels cramped. When I know I’m going to have a seatmate I hope it’s a kid or a petite person because I don’t want to touch shoulders for hours. That’s why I check the seat map before boarding.
Southwest’s new rules are going to make things clearer but not easier. For plus-size passengers it adds a lot of pressure to plan ahead. For everyone else it’s a reminder that airplane seats are too small.
At the end of the day this isn’t about rules it’s about people. Until airlines give us more space we’re all going to keep trying to find that extra inch of breathing room.
