US Airlines to Charge Extra for Overweight Passengers

In the United States, Southwest Airlines, which was previously known for offering free additional seats to overweight passengers, will start charging for such seats from January 27, 2026, reports Metro.

Previously, overweight passengers could obtain a free adjacent seat when checking in at the airport or purchase one in advance with a return option. The new regulations stipulate that the second ticket must be purchased at the time of initial booking and will not be refundable if the flight does not depart with at least one spare seat, and both seats are not purchased in the same fare class.

The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) has dubbed the changes “devastating” for overweight travelers. The organization’s executive director noted that many overweight individuals avoid flying, and the removal of free additional seats makes travel more expensive and less comfortable.

A spokesperson for the airline stated that passengers who previously used the additional seat policy will be informed about the new regulations. This change is part of Southwest's recent policy adjustments, including the removal of open seating, which allowed customers to choose seats immediately after boarding the aircraft.