Southwest Just Rolled Out Its Most Controversial Policy Change, What to Know

For the first time in more than 50 years, travelers on Southwest Airlines will have assigned seats, and customers of size who need additional space will have to purchase an extra seat in advance of their flight.

The changes took effect today, Jan. 27, 2026, and ended two policies Southwest has long been known for: open seating, which allowed passengers to choose their own seats at boarding, and a free extra seat policy for customers of size.

Both policy shifts mimic those found on other major U.S. airlines like Delta, United, and American.

Southwest’s new assigned seating policy makes it so customers choose their seats during the ticket booking process, with the option to upgrade for extra legroom seating or preferred seating. Travelers who book the airline’s “Basic” fare will be assigned a seat at check-in. The assigned seating shift includes the arrival of a group-based boarding process for all Southwest flights.

Meanwhile, Southwest’s new policy for “customers of size” states that travelers who do not fit between their seat’s armrests or encroach on neighboring seats are required to buy an extra seat in advance of their flight.

The new policy states that if the plane naturally has an extra seat, the passenger has 90 days after the trip to request a refund for the extra seat they paid for. If the plane is full, no refund will be given. Meanwhile, if adjacent seats are not available at the time of booking, the Southwest policy states that “we’ll try to rebook you on another flight where adjacent seats are available.”

It is important to note that if a customer of size shows up at the airport without an extra seat and it is determined that they need one, they will be required to purchase an additional seat at the airport. If the flight is full or adjacent seats are not available, they will be rebooked on another flight with available seating.

The policy also states, “Southwest may determine, in its sole discretion, that an additional seat is necessary for safety purposes.” It notes that if this determination is made after boarding and the flight is full, the traveler may need to deplane for rebooking.

The change marks a big shift for Southwest customers, but ABC News notes that the new policy is still “more generous than most other U.S. airlines, which don’t offer any such option or refund.”

The seating changes follow Southwest’s May 2025 decision to end its long-standing “Bags Fly Free” policy, which guaranteed passengers two complimentary checked bags regardless of fare.