Extra Seat, Extra Fee: Southwest’s New Rule Sparks Outrage — Could It Happen in Australia?
A US airline has ignited controversy after announcing that plus-size passengers will soon be required to buy a second seat in advance, leaving many wondering whether a similar rule could one day make its way to Australian skies.
@abc7chicago Southwest Airlines is changing its seating policy for plus-size passengers. Starting January 27, 2026, passengers who take up space in the neighboring seat will have to buy an extra ticket – and it might not be refunded. The current rules allow flyers to buy an extra seat ahead of time and get refunded later — or request an extra seat at no charge at the airport.
♬ original sound – abc7chicago
Southwest Airlines, one of America’s largest budget carriers, confirmed that from January 27, 2026, travellers who can’t fit within a single seat will have to purchase another one when booking. The change comes as the airline scraps its long-running open seating system and moves to assigned seating for the first time.
Until now, Southwest was considered plus-size friendly because passengers could either request an extra seat at the airport free of charge or buy one in advance and apply for a refund later. Under the new policy, pre-purchasing the seat is mandatory and refunds will only be considered if the flight wasn’t full and both tickets were bought in the same fare class. Refund requests must also be submitted within 90 days.
If a traveller doesn’t pre-book and the flight is full, they may be bumped to another service. If a seat is available at the airport, they’ll need to purchase it at a walk-up fare, which could be far higher than the original ticket price.
Backlash from Advocates
The update has drawn heavy criticism from body positivity advocates in the US. Tigress Osborn, head of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, said the rule could financially lock some people out of flying altogether.
“We are hearing from a lot of people about how this will literally mean they cannot travel by air anymore. They can’t afford to take that gamble,” she told The Washington Post.
Travel agent Jason Vaughn, who runs a website for plus-size travel advice, called the move a blow to loyal customers. “They have no idea anymore who their customer is. They have no identity left,” he said.
Others, like fashion writer Corinne Fay, said the policy left her in tears. “We’re talking about going from $400 to $800 just to fly,” she said.
Could This Reach Australia?
While the policy has divided opinion online — with some arguing that “if you need two seats, you should pay for two seats” — the debate has raised questions about whether Australian airlines like Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin might ever follow suit.
Unlike the US, Australian carriers don’t currently offer a formal “Customer of Size” policy. In most cases, passengers who can’t fit in a single seat are expected to purchase another one, though this is generally handled quietly at the time of booking. None of the major airlines have indicated plans to adopt a system as strict as Southwest’s.
However, with airlines worldwide under pressure to boost profits and squeeze in extra revenue, some travel experts warn that international trends often influence the local market. If Southwest’s changes prove successful, Aussie travellers could one day see similar rules take off here.
For now, the changes remain a US issue, but the debate raises important questions about accessibility, fairness, and dignity in air travel — issues that Australian airlines may eventually have to confront.
