Southwest Airlines’ new policy could be costly for plus-size passengers

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source

New one Southwest Airlines This policy could make flying more expensive for larger travelers.

according to south westA new policy will require customers who cannot fit into the armrests of their seats to purchase an additional seat ticket in advance.

The current policy allows larger passengers to either pay for an extra seat with the option of receiving a possible refund later on the ticket, or they can request a free extra seat at the airport. fox 2 detroit Report.

The new rule will come into effect on January 27, which is the same day as the airline Start allocating seats,

“To ensure space is available, we are communicating to customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at the time of booking,” the airline said in a statement.

Southwest Airlines will require passengers whose body width exceeds the width of the seat armrest to purchase an extra seat at the airport. The cost of the seat may or may not be refunded, and Southwest said it has its sole discretion to determine who must purchase additional seats.
Southwest Airlines will require passengers whose body width exceeds the width of the seat armrest to purchase an extra seat at the airport. The cost of the seat may or may not be refunded, and Southwest said it has its sole discretion to determine who must purchase additional seats. ,AFP/Getty,

Plus-size passengers may still be able to get a refund on their other seats, provided the plane is not fully booked.

Under the new policy, if a passenger requiring an extra seat does not purchase the seat before the flight, he or she will have to do so at the airport. If their flight is already full when they are at the airport, Southwest will book them on a new flight.

Jason Vaughn, a travel agent who runs Fat Tasted Travel — a travel site aimed at plus-size travelers — told The Associated Press that he thinks the change will make flying Southwest worse overall for everyone involved.

ALSO READ  Arsenal need a last-gasp winner against courageous Wolves to move five points ahead

“I think it will make the flying experience worse for everyone,” he said.

Vaughan said that under the current system, there is no harm in buying tickets in advance as the money will be refunded to older passengers. But without guaranteed refunds and the possibility that older passengers may be forced to buy tickets, he said many passengers will opt to try their luck with only a seat.

This means that not only will larger passengers be uncomfortable, but the person sitting next to them may also be less comfortable.

The company said in a statement that “Customers who encroach on neighboring seats must proactively purchase the required number of seats prior to travel to ensure additional seats are available” and that “the armrest is considered the fixed boundary between seats,” according to Men’s Journal.

But it’s not clear how much a person would have to “encroach” on another seat before being forced to buy a new ticket, and Southwest has determined that it can judge that on a case-by-case basis.

“Southwest may, in its sole discretion, determine that an additional seat is necessary for safety purposes,” the company said. men’s journal,

In addition to its plus-size seating changes, Southwest is also introducing other policy changes in an effort to boost its profits.

Southwest said last year that it would start charging customers extra for seats with more legroom and that it would start offering red-eye flights. In May, the company ended its free checked bag policy, and in January will introduce assigned seating, with additional charges for preferred seating or seats with more legroom.

ALSO READ  Martin Lewis shares online shopping trick to cut Christmas costs

Independent Southwest has been requested to comment.

Uk