Southwest Airlines offering free extra seats to plus-sized passengers

Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines is being celebrated by "passengers of size" on TikTok after they discovered they can request complimentary seats – one or two, depending on needs – to accommodate their girth.

Customers whose bodies "encroach" past the armrest are entitled to an extra seat, according to Southwest's inclusion policy. They are currently one of the few, if not the only, airlines to offer free seats to larger passengers.

Southwest provided its policy to Fox Business which said that passengers of size "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 flight team will then try to effort to make the seating arrangements, potentially moving other passengers around for the "unplanned accommodation."

Alternatively, customers can purchase extra seats in advance and then contact Southwest "for a refund of the cost of additional seating after travel."

The policy states, "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 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 onboard."

"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. Most importantly, it ensures that all Customers onboard have access to safe and comfortable seating. You may contact us for a refund of the cost of additional seating after travel," the policy continues.

A plus-size travel expert and TikToker, Jae'lynn Chaney, told Fox News Digital it was an important move to include people in the "super fat" category.

"Super fat is how we identify," Chaney, business owner of Jae Bae Productions, said. "There's a spectrum of fatness. And as a super fat individual, you start needing different accommodations … I just felt really happy that there was something like this for people."

"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. And so, it's not just about physical accessibility. It's also about financial accessibility."

TikTokers who have recently discovered the policy have amassed hundreds of thousands of views on the platform showing themselves walking up to Southwest Airlines employees and successfully nailing down their extra seat(s) on Southwest flights free of charge.

A self-described "Fat Solo Traveler" posted a video on TikTok that went viral, obtaining nearly 1,000,000 views since October, showing how she got a complimentary seat.

The Southwest employee then handed Kimmy another ticket at no cost for her extra seat.

"Southwest is the only airline that allows you a second seat at no extra cost even if the flight is fully booked… I've done this a dozen times and never had an issue or been denied," she said.

Kimmy also said that she is allowed to "preboard" with the accommodation.

"Enter the aircraft, get your seatbelt extender and grab your seat! I place the ticket in the seat next to me… 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," she said.

Kimmy said she "applaud[s]" Southwest for making public transportation "accessible and comfortable for all."

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[Scott-fyfm]

"Southwest raises prices for all non fat travelers"

[jannetuomela]

Southwest needs to change this policy. Otherwise the heavier people woll flock to them, which will decrease the amount of seats to sell. The amount of fuel needed for these flights will also increase significantly, since the most likely people to use this service would weigh more than to regular passengers

[SignalBlue]

Honestly, enforce a weight limit. This is ridiculous catering to unhealthy ppl.

[nitinbhakta]

That is down right discrimination against the rest of the passengers. That's illegal. I smell a class action lawsuit coming. If that is the case, I would like 50% off for my seat. I've been with SW for many years with a lot of points accumulated.

[Dictone-kgtq]

Can I declare my gender identity as "plus-sized" and get an extra seat? If not that's transphobia.

[thecaptain]

So you get rewarded for your own wrong doings? Cool

[beccasheart]

I now identify as fat because I don’t want to sit next to a stranger.

[mikechristiansen]

God forbid you actually just lose the weight. Nope, what a world we live in. Pandering to people who are overweight instead of inspiring them to lose weight. I am an obese gentleman in the gym weekly with the trainer, busting my ass to lose the weight. I would not expect anyone to give me something for free because I chose to over eat and get to my size. Being overweight is not a disability. It’s not a disease that happened to you against your will. This isn’t the same as accommodating somebody in a wheelchair for example. Anyone who is obese chose to get obese by not controlling their portion sizes. They should not be pandered to, and given additional accommodations.

[BundyDunbar]

Does the extra seat come with complimentary feeding trough? I like to have a bite to eat while inconveniencing the airline and people around me.

[melchiorlise]

Honestly they should introduce "Half seats " and give a discount to custimers who don't need a while seat like myself.

[Llevj]

So what do people who only eat 1 snack a day get?

[mrfen]

I will never use south west airlines again. It's not free the other passengers are paying for it.

[conner_b_griften]

Next: Free flights for all with screaming babies.

[Gaia_Seraphina]

And *who* will pay for those extra seats? Nothing is really for "free".
Definitely not on planes, where space means money.

[kamakaziozzie]

Since I *identify* as a plus sized passenger I can’t wait to take my SW trip to Dallas next month. That extra seat is gonna be sweet!

[DwnRace]

Scam! Everyone else will pay for the free fat seat!

[ttodd]

So fatso's know also get to board First!! Not only will they take up all the seating space, but also the carry on space! Whats Southwest going to do when these ppl are stuck in the aisles or weight is dramatically shifted on the plane! I'll be sure to avoid flying SW!!! They're sure to be 'overloaded'.

[hrriphic]

K. In that case, let's all start boarding southwest flights wearing gigantic fatsuits then removing them midflight. #SouthwestAirlines

[skottyo]

I can probably fit my 5 toddler's into 2 seats so i think i will do that. Save my family the cost of the other 3 seats.

[nathanromero]

I identify as a plus size as well do my 3 kids and wife