Overview
- The change, implemented late last week, allows Southwest gate agents to give a customer who needs extra room an adjacent seat at no charge when two seats are open on the same flight.
- If no adjacent seat is available at boarding, Southwest will try to rebook the passenger on a later flight rather than force an immediate purchase.
- The airline still urges travelers who anticipate needing extra space to buy a second seat in advance to guarantee seating and avoid last-minute disruptions.
- Passengers who pre-purchase an extra seat can request a refund within 90 days after travel if the flight departed with at least one empty seat and both tickets were in the same fare class.
- The move follows months of inconsistent gate enforcement, social-media outcry and criticism from advocacy groups, and it leaves open questions because Southwest’s website and official documents have not yet fully reflected the new guidance.