News
Published December 13, 2023, 2:13 p.m. ET
Plus-size TikTokers are praising Southwest Airlines for its “customer of size” policy, which allows overweight passengers to request a free seat and forces airline crews to accommodate larger fliers — even if that means others with tickets off the flight to throw.
“If you're fat, you know the fear of flying and this alleviates it a lot,” Caroline, a travel influencer who says she wears a size 20, told her nearly 200,000 followers in a video posted in late October.
“I had a very comfortable flight and just felt like I could take the seat I needed.”
According to the Texas-based airline's policy, customers whose bodies “protrude” beyond the armrest are entitled to an additional seat at no additional cost.
It states that passengers “have the option to purchase just one seat and then discuss their seating preferences with the customer service representative at the departure gate.”
“If it is determined that a second (or third) seat is required, you will be provided with an additional seat free of charge,” the policy states.
The flight team will then look at the seating arrangement – which is not specified on Southwest flights – and may move other passengers for the “unplanned accommodation.”
Southwest Airlines has a “Customer of Size” policy that allows plus-size customers to receive an additional seat that fits their size. Courtesy of Jae'lynn Chaney
However, Southwest recommends customers purchase the additional seats in advance and then contact the airline “to receive a refund for the cost of additional seats after travel.”
“Customers who invade one or more adjacent seats may proactively purchase the required number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seats are available,” the policy states.
“The purchase of additional seats serves as an indication of a special seating requirement and allows us to appropriately plan the number of occupied seats on board.” This also allows us to ensure that we can accommodate all customers on the flight for which they have purchased a ticket , and avoid customers having to give up their seats due to unplanned accommodation.
“Most importantly, it ensures that all of our customers have access to safe and comfortable seating on board,” it continued.
“You can contact us after your trip to receive a refund for the cost of additional seats.”
Southwest's policy states that it applies to “customers who intrude into portions of adjacent seats.” Parilov – stock.adobe.com
Self-proclaimed “fat solo traveler” Kimmy showed her followers how to use the program in a video that went viral in October.
She simply walked up to the airline booth and said, “Hello, I hope to take advantage of your customer size policy today.”
“Southwest is the only airline that will give you a second seat at no additional cost, even if the flight is full,” she captioned the video.
“I've done this a dozen times and never had a problem or been turned away,” she said, adding that the policy allowed her to “pre-board” before other passengers.
“Get on the plane, get your seat belt extender and take your seat!”
@kimmystyled
How to use @southwestair's customer size policy. Southwest is the only airline that will give you a second seat at no additional cost, even if the flight is FULLY booked. You MUST use it at the departure gate at the start of your trip. If you don't use it going out, you won't be able to use it flying back. Go to the departure gate agent and ask them to use the customer size policy. I've done this a dozen times and never had a problem or been rejected. They will print you a new ticket and a second ticket that you can place in your free seat. You are also allowed to board in advance! Board the plane, grab your seat belt extender and secure your seat! I put the ticket on the seat next to me. I always take the window seat. If anyone tries to take a seat, I kindly let them know that I have two seats booked. To be honest, I almost never get approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane 🙃. I've heard from others that sometimes Southwest will just add customers of a certain size to your account so that every time you approach the main ticket booth you get both tickets at once, but that hasn't happened to me. I think it has to do with how “visibly fat” you are. Public planes are public transportation and should be accessible and comfortable for all of us. I applaud @southwestair for being the only airline that has a fair and humane way of carrying fat passengers with dignity. We shouldn't have to pay for two seats. Seats should be larger for everyone, including tall and pregnant passengers. Since airline liberalization, it's been an ADA nightmare. Airlines should also allow wheelchairs, especially power wheelchairs, in the cabin. Ultimately, this is an access issue that discriminates against fat and disabled customers. #southwest #southwestairlines #customerofsize #customerofsizepolicy #plussize #plussizetravel #traveltips #plussizetraveltok #traveltok
♬ Original sound – Kimmy
“I put the ticket on the seat next to me,” she continued. “If anyone tries to sit in it, I will kindly let them know that I have reserved two seats.
“To be honest, I almost never get approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane.”
Kimmy concluded by saying she “applause” the airline for making air travel “more comfortable and accessible for everyone, including fat and disabled people.”
Jae'lynn Chaney, a plus-size travel expert, said the policy is an important step toward including more people in the “super fat” category. Jae'lynn Chaney
Jae'lynn Chaney, a plus-size travel expert who once called for the Federal Aviation Administration to better accommodate larger passengers, also said including people in the “super fat” category is an important step.
“We identify with super fat,” she told Fox Business, explaining, “There is a spectrum of fat. And as a “super fat” person you need other precautions.
“I’m just really happy that there’s something like this for people,” Chaney added. “I hope more airlines will implement a customer-of-size policy.
“Southwest’s customer size policy helps many travelers offset the disproportionate costs we incur from requiring additional room,” she said.
“So it’s not just about physical accessibility. It’s also about financial accessibility.”
But at least one person has spoken out against the measure, saying she, her teenage daughter and her friend were kicked off a flight in June.
Southwest's policy offers a refund to those who purchase an additional ticket, or passengers can receive a free ticket at the gate. AP
The mother said in her own TikTok video that she and the two teenagers were on their way home from Montego Bay, Jamaica, stopping in Baltimore, Maryland before returning to Denver, Colorado.
But during her layover, Southwest Airlines officials told her the flight was “overbooked” and they couldn't board the plane – even though they had spent $620.72 on tickets.
“Please help me understand why I have to spend the night in Baltimore without accommodation because an oversized person didn't buy a second ticket,” the angry mother said, claiming all her luggage and that of the teenagers had been sent to the final destination in Denver.
She said airline officials told her “it was their right to kick a person off the plane because of the oversized person,” and shared a video of a conversation she had with an airline manager who said: “Even if there are not enough seats, we will have to accommodate this size of customer.
“If they need an extra seat, we don’t charge for extra seats,” the manager was heard telling the woman.
The Post has reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment.
Load More…
{{#isDisplay}} {{/isDisplay}}{{#isAniviewVideo}} {{/isAniviewVideo}}{{#isSRVideo}} {{/isSRVideo}}
https://nypost.com/2023/12/13/news/southwest-airlines-is-praised-for-customers-of-size-policy/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons
Copy the URL to share