Southwest Airlines is praised for 'customers of size' policy

May 2024 · 7 minute read

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Plus-size TikTokkers are praising Southwest Airlines for its “customer of size” policy, which allows overweight passengers to request a complimentary seat and forces the flight staff to accommodate larger flyers — even if that means kicking others with tickets off the flight.

“If you’re fat, you know the anxiety of flying and this alleviates it a lot,” Caroline, a travel influencer who said she is a size 20, told her nearly 200,000 followers in a video posted at the end of October.

“I had a very comfortable flight just feeling like I was allowed to take up the space I needed.”

Under the Texas-based airline’s policy, customers whose bodies “encroach” past the armrest are entitled to an extra seat at no additional cost.

It says that passengers “have the option of purchasing just one seat and then discussing your seating needs with the Customer Service Agent at the departure gate.

“If it’s determined that a second (or third) seat is needed you’ll be accommodated with a complimentary additional seat,” the policy states.

The flight team will then look at the seating arrangements — which are not predetermined on Southwest flights — and would potentially move other passengers around for the “unplanned accommodation.”

Southwest Airlines has a “customer of size” policy which allows plus-size customers to get an additional seat to accommodate their girth. Courtesy Jae'lynn Chaney

Southwest, though, suggests customers purchase the extra seats in advance and then contact the airline “for a refund of the cost of additional seating after travel.

“Customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s) may proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat(s) is available,” the policy says.

“The purchase of additional seats serves as a notification of a special seating need and allows us to adequately plan for the number of occupied seats on board. It also helps us ensure we can accommodate all customers on the flight for which they purchased a ticket and avoid asking customers to relinquish their seats for unplanned accommodation.

Plus-size travel expert Jae’lynn Chaney said the policy is an important step to include more people in the “super fat” category. Jae'lynn Chaney

“Most importantly, it ensures that all our customers on board have access to safe and comfortable seating,” it continues. 

“You may contact us for a refund of the cost of additional seating after travel.”

Self-described “fat solo traveler” Kimmy showed her followers how to use the program in a video that went viral in October.

“I just feel really happy that there was something like this for people,” Chaney added. “I hope to see more airlines implement ‘customer-of-size’ policies.” Jaelynn Chaney / Instagram

She simply went up to the airline booth and said, “Hello, I’m hoping to use your customer-of-size policy today.”

“Southwest is the only airline that allows you a second seat at no extra cost even if the flight is fully booked,” she captioned the video.

“I’ve done this a dozen times, and never had an issue or been denied,” she said, adding that under the policy, she is allowed to “preboard” ahead of other passengers.

“Enter the aircraft, get your seatbelt extender, and grab your seat!”

“I place the ticket in the seat next to me,” she continued. “If anyone tries to sit in it, I kindly let them know I have two seats booked.

“To be honest, I almost never get approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane.”

Kimmy concluded by saying she “applauds” the airline for making air travel “more comfortable and accessible for all people, including fat and disabled people.”

Plus-size travel expert Jae’lynn Chaney — who once demanded the Federal Aviation Administration better accommodate larger passengers — also said it was an important move to include people in the “super fat” category.

@kimmystyled

How to use @southwestair customer of size policy. Southwest is the only airline that allows you a second seat at no extra cost even if the flight is FULLY booked. You HAVE to use it at the departing gate when you start your journey. If you don’t use it going out you cant use it flying back. Go to the departing gate agent and kindly ask them to use the customer of size policy. I’ve done this a dozen times and never had an issue or been denied. They will print you a new ticket + a second ticket to put down on your free seat. You will also be allowed to pre board! Enter the aircraft, get your seatbelt extender, and grab your seat! I place the ticket in the seat next to me. I always take the window seat. If anyone tries to sit it in I kindly let them know I have two seats booked. To be honest I almost never get approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane 🙃. I’ve heard from others sometimes southwest will just put customer of size in your account so anytime you approach the main ticket gate you’ll get both your tickets at once but this hasn’t happened to me yet. I think this has to do with how “visibly fat” you are. Public airplanes are public transportation and should be accessible and comfortable for us all. I applaud @southwestair for being the only airline with a fair and humane way of flying fat passengers with dignity. We shouldn’t have to pay for two seats. Seats should be larger for all people including tall and pregnant passengers. Since airlines got deregulated it’s been an ADA nightmare. Airlines should also allow wheelchairs in the cabin esp power wheelchairs. This is an access issue at the end of the day and discriminatory to fat and disabled customers. #southwest #southwestairlines #customerofsize #customerofsizepolicy #plussize #plussizetravel #traveltips #plussizetraveltok #traveltok

♬ original sound – Kimmy

“Super fat is how we identify,” she told Fox Business, explaining: “There’s a spectrum of fatness. And as a ‘super fat’ individual, you start needing different accommodations.

“I just feel really happy that there was something like this for people,” Chaney added. “I hope to see more airlines implement ‘customer-of-size’ policies.

“The Southwest customer size policy helps many travelers offset the disproportionate costs that we incur because of needing extra room,” she said.

“And so, it’s not just about physical accessibility. It’s also about financial accessibility.”

Southwest’s policy applies to “customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s).” Parilov – stock.adobe.com

But at least one person has voiced their opposition to the policy, sharing that she, her teenage daughter and her friend were kicked off a flight in June.

The mother said in her own TikTok video that she and the two teens were on their way home from Montego Bay, Jamaica, and had a layover in Baltimore, Maryland, before they could return home to Denver, Colorado.

But during their layover, Southwest Airlines officials informed her that the flight was “overbooked” and they could not board the plane — despite spending $620.72 on tickets.

“Please help me understand why do I have to spend the night without any accommodations in Baltimore because an oversized person didn’t purchase a second ticket,” the exasperated mother said, claiming all of her and the teenagers’ luggage was sent to their final destination in Denver.

Southwest’s policy offers those who purchase an additional ticket a refund, or passengers could get a complimentary ticket at the gate. AP

She said airline officials told her “It is their right to kick a person out of the plane for the oversized person,” and shared a video of a conversation she had with an airline manager who said, “Even if there are not enough seats, we have to accommodate that customer of size.

“If they need an extra seat, we don’t charge for extra seats,” the manager could be heard telling the woman.

The Post has reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment.

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