Southwest Airlines has recently gained notable appreciation on social media platform TikTok for its inclusive seating policy aimed at accommodating passengers with larger body sizes. The airline’s policy allows for additional complimentary seats to be provided to those passengers whose body dimensions extend beyond the space of a single seat.
This unique policy was detailed in a statement provided by Southwest to Fox Business. The airline explained that passengers who might require more space can initially book a single seat and then discuss their specific seating needs with the Customer Service Agent at the departure gate. If it is determined that extra seat(s) are necessary, these will be provided at no additional cost.
The airline’s crew members make efforts to arrange seating to accommodate these needs, which may include rearranging other passengers to facilitate the extra space. Alternatively, passengers have the option to book extra seats in advance and can later request a refund for these additional seats after their journey.
Southwest’s policy emphasizes that passengers whose bodies extend into adjacent seats should proactively book the required number of seats to ensure availability. This advance booking is seen as a notice of special seating needs, allowing the airline to plan for the number of seats to be occupied on a flight. The policy underscores the importance of this practice in avoiding the need to request other passengers to give up their seats unexpectedly and ensuring that all passengers have access to safe and comfortable seating.
Jae’lynn Chaney, a plus-size travel expert and TikTok content creator, praised this policy in a statement to Fox News Digital. Chaney, who operates Jae Bae Productions, highlighted the significance of this policy for individuals in the “super fat” category, which she identifies with. She stressed that the policy not only addresses physical accessibility but also financial accessibility, helping to mitigate additional costs incurred due to the need for extra space.
The discovery of this policy has led to a surge in viral TikTok videos. Numerous users have shared their experiences of acquiring extra seats on Southwest flights without additional charges. These videos have accumulated hundreds of thousands of views, demonstrating the process and success of utilizing this policy.
One such TikTok user, self-titled “Fat Solo Traveler” Kimmy (@kimmystyled), shared a video that amassed nearly one million views since October. The video shows Kimmy approaching a Southwest counter to request an extra seat under the customer-of-size policy, which she received at no additional cost. Kimmy also noted the ability to preboard and how she manages the additional seat during flights.
Another TikToker, Chey G, shared her experiences of discomfort while flying due to her size and how this policy has positively impacted her travel experience. Similarly, travel influencer Caroline (@justmeandmymirror), with nearly 200K followers, described Southwest’s policy as “amazing” and shared her comfortable flying experience, having been given two extra seats.
This policy by Southwest Airlines has been hailed for making public transportation more accessible and comfortable for all, regardless of body size, and is inspiring hope among many for broader adoption of similar policies across the airline industry.