Southwest Airlines is going viral for their company-wide “Customer of Size” policy, which allows overweight travelers to potentially get extra seats for free if they don’t fit.
The policy states that customers who “encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s)” may purchase however many extra seats they need. Those passengers can then request a refund after travel, according to their website.
Southwest says the policy isn’t focused on just weight, but applies to anyone who doesn’t fit in the seat because of their body type. The space is determined by the placement of armrests.
“The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats,” the policy says. “If you’re unable to lower both armrests and/or encroach upon any portion of a seat next to you, you need a second seat. Our policy does not focus on weight.”
“The purchase of additional seats…
