Southwest Airlines is changing its seating policy for plus-size passengers .

Starting January 27, 2026, passengers who take up space in the neighboring seat will have to buy an extra ticket - and it might not be refunded.

The current rules allow flyers to buy an extra seat ahead of time and get refunded later -- or request an extra seat at no charge at the airport.

Those options made Southwest popular with many plus-size passengers.

But the new rules mean the second seat will be nonrefundable unless the flight departs with at least one open seat -- and both seats are purchased within the same fare class.

The move is the latest in a series of changes for Southwest.

The carrier has also ended its open seating policy and instituted checked baggage fees.

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