This change didn’t sit well with some.

Southwest Airlines’ popular “pick you own” seat perk isn’t the only policy on the chopping block. The budget carrier announced that a new measure that may require plus-size passengers to fork over extra dough.

Starting January 27, 2026, flyers who “encroach upon the neighboring seat” will be required to purchase an extra seat in advance, CBS News reported.

“To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking,” reps for the the low-cost airline said in a statement. 3

Those who don’t purchase one ahead of time will be required to buy one at the airport.

This marks a major change from the current policy, in which plus-size passengers can proactively purchas

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