Khaberni - The famous American airline "Southwest Airlines" witnessed a sudden shift in its policy of handling passengers whose weight exceeds the average, as the company announced the requirement for these passengers to book and purchase an additional seat when traveling, after previously allowing them to obtain the extra seat for free when needed.
The implementation of the new decision is scheduled to start from January 27, 2026, and comes as part of a restructuring of booking rules that prevent refunding the cost of the second seat in most cases.
According to the official announcement reported by the "Metro" newspaper, passengers whose weight occupies more than the seat allocated to them must book two seats in advance when purchasing the ticket, which means the necessity of planning ahead before arriving at the airport.
The previous policy allowed passengers to purchase the extra seat in advance and refund the price later, or request an additional seat upon arrival without paying extra costs.
With the new change, a refund is only possible if the traveler leaves the flight with one empty seat, provided that both seats were purchased within the same booking category.
The new decision caused widespread discontent among larger passengers, where the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) described the step as a "painful blow" to passengers, considering that these changes increase the cost of travel and create an annoying experience.
Tigress Osborne, the executive director of the association, said the airline was considered the only hope for many passengers who avoid air travel for fear of harassment, describing the new decision as reducing the ability of larger individuals to travel freely.
The changes at "Southwest" were not limited to the policy of extra seats, as the company also canceled the open seating system that allowed passengers to choose their seats when boarding the plane, which increased dissatisfaction among loyal customers who were used to more flexibility in travel.
In an official statement, the company affirmed that it would notify previous passengers of these changes to ensure compliance with the new rules.
