Southwest walks back controversial seating policy that singles out plus-size passengers

Southwest flyers may finally be getting some breathing room.

One TikTokker is going viral as she believes the airline is quietly walking back part of its controversial “customer of size” policy after furious backlash from travelers who slammed the carrier for making them shell out extra cash just to fly comfortably.

Emily, who posts under the handle @Emily_infullbloom, shared the apparent update this week after speaking with a Southwest gate agent at the airport.

“I just learned from the gate agent that they will be changing back to the original policy, at least in some form, where you can come into the airport and get an additional seat booked for you at no cost,” Emily said in the clip.

“You will no longer have to pre-purchase the seat as the only option to fly as a customer of size with extra space,” she added, repeating what the employee allegedly told her.

The change would mark a major reversal from Southwest’s updated policy introduced earlier this year.

Under the current rules posted on the airline’s website, “Customers who encroach upon the neighboring seat(s) must purchase the number of seats needed. Customers should purchase the seats prior to travel to ensure adjacent seats are available.”

In other words: pay up — or risk getting bumped.

The policy also warns that travelers who arrive at the airport without purchasing an extra seat in advance could be forced to buy one at day-of-travel prices or even get kicked to another flight altogether if adjacent seats aren’t available.

“If the flight is full or adjacent seats aren’t available, you’ll be rebooked on another flight with available seating,” the airline states online.

And if the issue is flagged after boarding? Passengers could even be required to deplane and rebook.

As previously reported by The Post, that stricter approach sparked outrage among many plus-size travelers, especially since Southwest previously allowed customers to reserve two seats for the price of one and later receive a refund — a policy many flyers praised as one of the most accommodating in the industry.

Now, the airline appears to be softening its stance.

In a statement to Newsweek, a Southwest spokesperson confirmed changes are in the works.

“Southwest is working to create a more consistent and seamless experience for customers who require an additional seat. On flights where seats are available, our agents at the airport are empowered to provide an additional seat at no extra cost to customers who require one,” the spokesperson said.

“If another seat is not available, we will work to accommodate the customer on a later flight. We continue to encourage customers who need an additional seat to book it in advance to help alleviate any last-minute inconvenience at the airport.”

Still, some travelers aren’t exactly ready to fasten their seatbelts and forgive.

“It’s still best to purchase your extra seat at booking and request a refund if the flight is not completely full,” one commenter beneath the aforementioned viral video warned, noting that passengers who wait until arriving at the airport still risk being rebooked if two seats together aren’t available.

Others said the “fat tax” controversy already pushed them toward rival airlines.

“Already gave up my credit card and got a Delta one,” one user wrote. “I’m not sure I can trust Southwest again after this.”

Another admitted the policy drama made them too anxious to even plan vacations.

“I really hope this is true honestly gave up trying to plan trips because I am a nervous wreck,” they commented.

One former customer blasted the airline outright, claiming they’d never experienced similar issues elsewhere.

“They already lost me as a customer given how they are treating fellow plus-size people,” the commenter wrote.

And for some fed-up flyers, Southwest’s baggage fees and seating shakeups are proving to be the final straw.

“This is good but still not enough to get me back,” another person wrote. “If I have to pay for bags, I might as well book cheap flights through the budget airlines.”

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