Overview
- Ruby Cosby, who attempted to fly to LAX on Feb. 28 from Nashville, says a gate agent required her to buy a second seat for $450 and canceled her ticket when she could not pay on the spot.
- She says a different agent later reissued a ticket without the extra-seat demand before the first agent reversed it, underscoring uneven enforcement at the counter.
- Cosby bought a one-way Delta ticket for about $350 to make her trip and says Southwest issued a credit for her original fare that expires in July.
- Southwest says a “customers of size” policy took effect Jan. 27 that requires extra seats when a traveler encroaches on a neighbor’s space and says it has contacted those involved.
- The airline notes assigned seating can leave no open adjacent seats under the rule, while coverage this week in People and the Daily Mail highlights costs to passengers and coach seats as narrow as about 15.5 inches.