Airline seats have shrunk in the final a number of a long time (Image: jroballo through Getty Images)
Several months following modifications to its plus-dimension passenger lodging policy, Southwest Airlines has revised the rules as soon as more.
The Texas-headquartered provider confronted criticism in current months after introducing new rules relating to passengers who would possibly exceed normal airline seat dimensions. Beginning in January 2026, Southwest’s policy said that airline employees may decide, by visible evaluation, whether or not a passenger should purchase an further seat if unable to fit comfortably in their assigned space.
Certain passengers have objected to this regulation. Linda Hyde, a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards member since 2014, recounted her expertise on a May 21 flight, during which a Southwest consultant knowledgeable her she would in all probability need to purchase a second seat.
Hyde told the Miami Herald that her work requires roughly six to seven flights yearly. She had truly traveled the earlier Monday with none issue becoming in her seat.
What is Southwest Airlines’ policy on plus-sized passengers?
Linda Hyde was told she’d probably should buy a second seat on a Southwest airplane (Image: Miami Herald)
Following widespread consideration to Hyde’s account, the provider amended its policy again this week.
Although the airline continues “strongly recommending” passengers purchase an further seat in advance, it is no longer necessary. Plus-sized passengers can make the most of further seats at no added charge if any stay out there upon reaching the gate. Should the flight be at capability, they are going to be accommodated on an various flight.
Prior to January, plus-sized vacationers who bought an further seat obtained computerized refunds for that expense. Following the policy revision, the provider now supplies refunds solely when flights operate under full capability.
The up to date policy explains: “If you need to occupy more than one seat, we strongly recommend that you purchase the seat prior to travel to ensure that adjacent seats are available.”
The tips additional specify: “If you need to occupy more than one seat and you did not reserve adjacent seats before arriving to the airport, adjacent seats may not be available on your flight. In that case, we will rebook you on another flight with available adjacent seating.”
Southwest has modified its policy again, no longer requiring passengers to buy second seats (Image: ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Images)
The policy moreover designates the armrest as a “definitive boundary between seats.” It states that “Southwest may determine, in its sole discretion, that an additional seat is necessary for safety purposes.”
A Southwest consultant knowledgeable the Irish Star that the provider “is working to create a more consistent and seamless experience for Customers who require an additional seat.
“On flights the place seats can be found, our Agents on the airport are empowered to offer an further seat at no further value to Customers who require one. If one other seat shouldn’t be out there, we’ll work to accommodate the Customer on a later flight. We proceed to encourage Customers who need an further seat to book it in advance to help alleviate any final-minute inconvenience on the airport,” the spokesperson said.
Are airplane seats getting smaller?
If you suspect airline seats have shrunk over recent decades, your instincts are correct. William McGee, senior fellow for the American Economic Liberties Project, has been monitoring aircraft seating dimensions throughout the past 40 years.
Speaking with Popular Mechanics in 2025, he revealed that seats on American, Delta, Southwest, and United have each lost between 2 to 5 inches of space since the 1980s. The typical legroom for these seats now measures 31 inches, a reduction from 35 inches prior to 2000.
Budget carriers like the now-defunct Spirit or Europe’s Wizz Air offered even tighter quarters, providing merely 28 inches in the leg area.
“They [airlines] simply saved whittling it down till lastly it obtained to the purpose the place nearly all people seen it,” McGee said.
According to FlyersRights, a passenger advocacy group, fewer than half of U.S. airline travelers can sit comfortably in economy class seats, as reported in 2022. When the Federal Aviation Administration launched a public forum seeking customer input, more than 26,000 responses featured grievances about “crammed,” “depressing” and “horrible” seats.
