Southwest Airlines will require passengers who cannot fit within a single seat's armrests to purchase a second seat at booking starting Jan. 27, coinciding with the start of assigned seating. Refunds for an extra seat remain possible only if at least one open seat exists at departure, both tickets were purchased in the same booking class, and the refund is requested within 90 days. Passengers who do not buy an extra seat in advance must purchase one at the airport or be rebooked if the flight is full. The carrier has also ended free checked bags, announced paid extra legroom and other revenue measures amid pressure to boost profits.
Currently, plus-size passengers can either pay for an extra seat in advance with the option of getting that money back later, or they can request a free extra extra seat at the airport. Under the carrier's new policy, a refund is still possible but no longer guaranteed. In a statement Monday, Southwest said it is updating some of its policies as it prepares for assigned seating next year.
'To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking,' the statement said. It marks the latest change at Southwest, which had long been known for letting its passengers pick their own seats after boarding the plane, and for letting their bags fly for free, which ended in May. Those perks were key to differentiating the budget carrier from its rivals.
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