Southwest Airlines has sparked a viral sensation with their “Customer of Size” policy, a groundbreaking approach to accommodate passengers who don’t fit comfortably in a single seat. This policy, detailed on their website, allows travelers who “encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s)” to purchase additional seats, which can be refunded post-travel. Southwest emphasizes that the policy is not weight-centric but applies to anyone whose body type extends beyond the space defined by the armrests, the official boundary between seats.
Rewarding bad behavior. Society is regressing.
— Estweebon (@lifegripper) December 15, 2023
Kimmy Garris, a self-described “fat solo traveler” and TikTok influencer, shared her experience with Southwest’s policy in a video that has ignited intense debate online. Garris, who received an extra ticket from a customer service agent, praised this practice as a standard the industry should adopt. However, her post has polarized social media users. Some criticize the policy as “rewarding bad behavior” and an example of “fat supremacy,” while others question if similar accommodations will be made for tall travelers.
I presume this means that tall people will be upgraded to Business Select class for free, then, @SouthwestAir ?
— Nor-Cal Hilohaw (@Hilohaw) December 15, 2023
Amidst this debate, a common concern surfaces: the impact of this policy on overall ticket prices. Will Southwest’s initiative to offer free additional seats to certain passengers lead to increased costs for all travelers? This controversial policy has certainly stirred the pot, generating a mix of support, criticism, and concern from the flying public.
