Southwest Airlines, a leading low-cost carrier, has been lauded by plus-size passengers on social media platform TikTok for its inclusive policy that allows them to request additional complimentary seats to accommodate their size.
The policy has been hailed as a significant step towards inclusivity in the aviation industry.
According to the airline's policy, passengers whose bodies extend beyond the armrest are entitled to an extra seat. This makes Southwest one of the few, if not the only, airlines to offer free seats to larger passengers. The policy was shared with Fox Business, stating that passengers of size can purchase a single seat and then discuss their seating needs with the Customer Service Agent at the departure gate. If it is determined that additional seats are required, they will be provided at no extra cost.
The airline's flight team will then make efforts to arrange the seating, potentially repositioning other passengers to accommodate the unplanned seating requirement. Alternatively, passengers can purchase extra seats in advance and then apply for a refund from Southwest after their journey.
The policy further states, "Customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s) may proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat(s) is available The purchase of additional seats serves as a notification of a special seating need and allows us to adequately plan for the number of occupied seats onboard."
Jae'lynn Chaney, a plus-size travel expert and TikToker, praised the policy, stating it was a crucial step towards including people in the "super fat" category. "Super fat is how we identify," said Chaney, the owner of Jae Bae Productions. "There's a spectrum of fatness. And as a super fat individual, you start needing different accommodations I just felt really happy that there was something like this for people."
Several TikTokers have shared their experiences with the policy, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. Videos show passengers approaching Southwest Airlines employees and successfully securing their extra seats free of charge.
One such TikToker, Kimmy (@kimmystyled), shared a video that has garnered nearly a million views since October, demonstrating how she availed of the policy. Kimmy approached the airline booth and requested to use the customer of size policy. The Southwest employee then provided her with an additional ticket at no extra cost.
Kimmy praised Southwest for making public transportation "accessible and comfortable for all." She also highlighted that she is allowed to "preboard" with the accommodation.
Another TikToker, Chey G, shared that she previously avoided frequent travel due to the discomfort she experienced on flights. She said, "Up until last year, I wasn't traveling much. But when I did it was always SO UNCOMFORTABLE squeezing myself into the seatbelts and squishing next to the person next to me ANYWAYS you're entitled to comfort. You do not need to force yourself to fit into things. Traveling should be fun and comfortable."
Caroline (@justmeandmymirror), a travel influencer with nearly 200,000 followers, called the policy "amazing." She said, "Southwest was the comfiest flying experience I've had in my life." Caroline was given two extra seats and disclosed that she was a size 20. She also mentioned that she was able to preboard with the accommodation.
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