Plus-sized TikTokkers are praising Southwest Airlines for its “customer size” policy, which allows overweight passengers to request free seats and forces flight staff to accommodate larger flyers — even if that means kicking other people with tickets off the flight.
“If you’re fat, you know the anxiety of flying and this reduces it a lot,” Caroline, a travel influencer who says she’s a size 20, told her nearly 200,000 followers in a video posted in late October.
“I had a very comfortable flight just feeling like I was allowed to take the space I needed.”
Under the Texas-based airline’s policy, customers whose bodies “intrude” past the armrests are entitled to an extra seat at no extra cost.
It says that passengers “have the option to purchase just one seat and then discuss your seat requirements with a Customer Service Agent at the departure gate.
“If it is determined that a second (or third) seat is required, you will be accommodated with a free additional seat,” the policy states.
The flight team will then look at the seating arrangements – which are not assigned on Southwest flights – and potentially move other passengers for “unplanned stays.”
Southwest Airlines has a “customer size” policy that allows plus-size customers an extra seat to accommodate their girth. Sincerely Jae’lynn Chaney
Southwest, however, suggests that customers purchase additional seats in advance and then contact the airline “for a refund of the cost of the additional seats after travel.”
“Customers encroaching on any adjacent seat section may proactively purchase the required number of seats prior to travel to ensure additional seats are available,” the policy said.
“The purchase of additional seats serves as notification of special seating requirements and allows us to adequately plan for the number of seats occupied on board. It also helps us ensure that we can accommodate all customers on flights they have purchased tickets for and avoid asking customers to give up their seats for unplanned stays.
“Most importantly, it ensures that all our customers on board have access to safe and comfortable seats,” it continued.
“You can contact us for a refund of the extra seat cost after the trip.”
Southwest’s national policy applies to “customers encroaching on any part of a neighboring seat”. Parilov – stock.adobe.com
Self-described “fat solo traveler” Kimmy showed her followers how to use the program in a video that went viral in October.
He just goes to the airline booth and says, “Hello, I’m hoping to use your customer size policy today.”
“Southwest is the only airline that allows you to get a second seat at no extra cost even if the flight is fully booked,” he captioned the video.
“I’ve done this dozens of times, and never had a problem or been denied,” he said, adding that under the policy he was allowed to “pre-board” earlier than other passengers.
“Get on the plane, get your seat belt extender and take your seat!”
@kimmystyled
How to use the @southwestair customer size policy. Southwest is the only airline that allows you to get a second seat at no extra cost even if the flight is FULLY booked. You MUST use it at the departure gate when you start your journey. If you don’t use it to get out, you can’t use it to fly back. Go to the departure gate agent and please ask them to use the customer size policy. I have done this dozens of times and have never had a problem or been denied. They will print you a new ticket + a second ticket to put in your free seat. You will also be allowed to board the ship! Get on the plane, get your seat belt extender, and take your seat! I put the ticket on the seat next to me. I always take the window seat. If anyone tries to sit in it, I respectfully inform them that I have two seats reserved. Honestly I’m almost never approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane ?. I’ve heard from others that sometimes southwest will only put a size customer in your account so anytime you approach the main ticket gate you’ll get both of your tickets at once but this hasn’t happened to me yet. I think this has something to do with how “fat looking” you are. Public airplanes are public transportation and should be accessible and comfortable for all of us. I applaud @southwestair for being the only airline with a fair and humane way to fly obese passengers with dignity. We don’t have to pay for two seats. Seats should be bigger for everyone including tall and pregnant passengers. Since airlines have been deregulated, it has become an ADA nightmare. Airlines should also allow wheelchairs in the cabin esp powered wheelchairs. This is an access issue at the end of the day and discriminates against obese and disabled customers. #southwest #southwestairlines #customerofsize #customerofsizepolicy #plussize #plussizetravel #traveltips #plussizetraveltok #traveltok
♬ original sound – Kimmy
“I put the ticket on the seat next to me,” he continued. “If anyone tries to sit in it, I respectfully inform them that I have two seats reserved.
“Honestly, I’m almost never approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane.”
Kimmy concluded by saying she “praises” the airline for making air travel “more comfortable and accessible for everyone, including the obese and the disabled.”
Plus size tourism expert Jae’lynn Chaney said the policy was an important step to include more people in the “super fat” category. Jae’lynn Chaney
Plus-size travel expert Jae’lynn Chaney — who has demanded the Federal Aviation Administration better accommodate larger passengers — also said it’s an important step to include people in the “super obese” category.
“Super fat is how we identify,” he told Fox Business, explaining: “There’s a spectrum of obesity. And as a ‘super fat’ individual you start to need different accommodations.
“I feel really happy that there’s something like this out there for people,” Chaney added. “I hope to see more airlines implement a ‘customer size’ policy.
“Southwest’s customer size policy helps many travelers offset the disproportionate cost we incur for needing extra space,” he said.
“So, it’s not just about physical accessibility. It is also about financial accessibility.”
But at least one person has voiced their objection to the policy, sharing that she, her teenage daughter and her friend were kicked off a flight in June.
Southwest Policy offers refunds to those who purchase additional tickets, or passengers can get a free ticket at the gate. AP
Mother said in his own TikTok video that he and the two teenagers were on their way home from Montego Bay, Jamaica, and had stopped in Baltimore, Maryland, before they could return to Denver, Colorado.
But during their layover, a Southwest Airlines official informed him that the flight was “overbooked” and they could not board – despite spending $620.72 on the ticket.
“Please help me understand why I have to spend the night without any accommodation in Baltimore because plus-sized people don’t buy second tickets,” said the exasperated mother, claiming that all her and the teenager’s luggage were sent to their final. destination in Denver.
He said airline officials told him “it’s their right to kick someone off the plane for an oversized person,” and shared a video of his conversation with an airline manager who said “even if there aren’t enough seats, we have to accommodate that size customer.
“If they need extra seats, we don’t charge for extra seats,” the manager was heard telling the woman.
The Post has reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
