Southwest Airlines is changing its long-standing policy for plus-sized passengers beginning next year.

Starting Jan. 27, 2026, the same day Southwest will begin offering assigned seating on flights, customers who “encroach upon the neighboring seat(s)” should purchase the number of seats they need prior to traveling if they want to secure the seat next to them, the airline said on its website.

However, the airline, which is headquartered at Dallas Love Field, may not offer those customers a refund, as it has done in the past. Southwest said that in order for plus-sized customers to receive a refund, three conditions must be met: the flight must depart with at least one open seat or with passengers flying with space available passes, both seats should be purchased in the same fare class a

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