Southwest Airlines Updates Refund Rules For Plus-Size Passengers

Hey, Florida travelers! If you’re planning to fly with Southwest Airlines, there’s a big change coming to their seating policies, especially for plus-size passengers. Southwest has long been known for its customer-friendly approach, but starting January 27, 2026, the airline is tightening its refund rules for those who need extra space. Let’s break down what’s changing, why it matters, and what else is new with Southwest.

New Refund Rules for Plus-Size Passengers

For years, Southwest has had a generous “Customer of Size” policy. If you needed more room than a single seat provides, you could buy an extra seat and get a full refund for it after your trip—no questions asked. The airline’s website explains that the armrest is the boundary between seats, and if you can’t comfortably fit within that space, purchasing an additional seat is encouraged.

But starting in 2026, getting{name=’line’} getting those refunds will be a bit trickier. Here’s what you’ll need to qualify for a refund on that extra seat:

• The flight must have at least one empty seat (or passengers traveling on space-available passes).
• Both seats must be purchased in the same fare class (like Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra, or Basic).
• You must request the refund within 90 days of travel.

This change comes alongside Southwest’s switch to assigned seating, ending their long-standing open-seating model. So, no more grabbing any seat you want when you board—seats will be assigned starting January 27, 2026.

Why the Change?

Southwest is shaking things up to align more closely with other major U.S. airlines. The shift to assigned seating and stricter refund rules is part of a broader overhaul. They’ve also introduced baggage fees (starting at $35 for the first bag, a big change from their famous two-free-checked-bags policy) and a new Basic fare tier. Plus, they’re tweaking their boarding process to prioritize Extra Legroom seats, Rapid Rewards elites, and premium ticket holders.

More Changes at Southwest

Southwest has been busy in 2025, and it’s not just about seating. Here’s a quick rundown of other updates:

• New Fare Structure: Starting in Q3 2025 for 2026 flights, Southwest will offer four fare tiers:
  • Choice Extra (formerly Business Select): Top-tier with early boarding, two free checked bags, free internet, extra legroom, and 14x Rapid Rewards points. Refundable up to 10 minutes before departure.
  • Choice Preferred (formerly Anytime): Preferred seats, earlier boarding, 10x points, but bag fees apply. Refundable up to 10 minutes before departure.
  • Choice (formerly Wanna Get Away Plus): Standard seats, general boarding, 6x points, bag fees, and refundable as a transferable 12-month flight credit.
  • Basic: Cheapest option, seats assigned at check-in, bag fees, 2x points, and refundable as a non-transferable 6-month flight credit.
• New Routes in Florida: Southwest is adding or boosting flights, including twice-daily service between Orlando (MCO) and Miami (MIA), Palm Beach (PBI), Sarasota (SRQ), and Fort Myers (RSW) starting August 2025, plus new routes like Jacksonville (JAX) to San Diego (SAN) and Tampa (TPA) to San Diego starting October 2025.
• Other Updates: Southwest is now on Expedia, partnered with Icelandair, launched red-eye flights, and introduced Getaways by Southwest for vacation packages.

It’s been a challenging year for the airline, too, with layoffs of 15% of corporate jobs, a near-miss incident in Chicago, a pilot’s DUI arrest in Georgia, a lawsuit over delays, and a jet nearly taking off from a taxiway in Orlando. Despite these hiccups, Southwest is pushing forward with big changes to stay competitive.

What’s Happening with Other Airlines?

Southwest isn’t alone in making waves. Spirit Airlines simplified its ticket options and added “Premium Economy” with extra legroom. United Airlines now requires domestic passengers to check in 45 minutes before departure (up from 30 minutes for those without checked bags). JetBlue teamed up with Florida’s Brightline rail service for seamless air-and-rail bookings in Central and South Florida.

Southwest’s Florida Footprint

Southwest serves 11 Florida airports, including Destin/Fort Walton Beach (VPS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Jacksonville (JAX), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Panama City Beach (PNS), Pensacola (PNS), Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ), Tampa (TPA), and West Palm Beach (PBI). With new routes and increased frequencies, Florida travelers have more options than ever.

What This Means for You

If you’re a plus-size traveler, plan ahead to meet the new refund requirements. Make sure your seats are in the same fare class and check for open seats on your flight. And don’t forget to request your refund within 90 days. With assigned seating and new fare structures, Southwest is looking more like its competitors, but it’s still aiming to keep travel affordable and convenient, especially in Florida.

Safe travels, and stay tuned for more updates as Southwest rolls out these changes!