Our plus-size travel community is preparing for the worst after learning that there will be a shakeup at Southwest Airlines. So far the company has mentioned moving forward with plans to assign seats, offer premium seating options, redesign the boarding model, and introduce redeye flights. Nothing has been said about changes to their Customer of Size Policy.
On our social channels, we’ve alerted you when Southwest was having a sale. We’ve shared tips on Navigating Southwest Airlines’ Customer of Size Policy. Even showing you step-by-step How to Book On Southwest Airlines because reserving a second seat can be complicated.
Our EIC, Annette Richmond was interviewed by the Washington Post and said “We feel like so many fashion brands are abandoning us by no longer offering plus sizes, and now our mode of transportation?”
Tigress Osborn, the Executive Director of NAAFA was quoted saying, “For supersized passengers or passengers who are fat and disabled, getting to the back of the plane for two seats together is a whole different experience and sometimes an impossibility,”
NAAFA: The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
The NAAFA Board of Directors wrote a statement urging “Southwest to continue its commitment to friendlier skies for all bodies by ensuring ongoing support of Customers of Size and disabled passengers.” They’ve also created a petition to get feedback from customers and remind the airline that “every size and ability deserves access and reasonable accommodation in air travel.”
For over 50 years Southwest has had an open seating policy and our community has depended on it. However, According to the airline’s recent press release, “The research is clear and indicates that 80% of Southwest Customers, and 86% of potential customers, prefer an assigned seat. When a Customer elects to stop flying with Southwest and chooses a competitor, open seating is cited as the number one reason for the change.”
The airline claims that these changes are being made to meet customer demands. In the same press release, the airline says the “new initiatives designed to elevate the Customer experience, improve financial performance, and drive Shareholder value.”
The Customer of Size Policy
For over 30 years Southwest has been one of the most accessible and affordable airlines in America. Their Customer of Size policy allows plus-size travelers to reserve a second seat for free. They can pay at the time of booking and receive a refund, or request a second seat at the gate if it’s available.
Southwest has not mentioned changes to their Customer of Size Policy, however, the new assigned seating will negatively impact us. We suggest that Customers of Size and passengers with disabilities can mark themselves as such during the purchasing process. Then the airline can seat those passengers towards the front of the plane. Most modes of public transportation have a special seating area, this would be no different.
Southwest Airlines will announce more at Investor Day in late September and assigned seating will begin in 2025.
