Starting on 27 January 2026, Southwest Airlines will require customers who cannot comfortably fit in one seat (with the armrests down) to purchase an adjacent seat at the time of booking. Southwest announced this policy on July 21, 2025, and assigned seats became available for purchase on July 29, 2025, for travel beginning January 27, 2026.

Travellers who arrive without having bought the extra seat will be required to purchase it at the airport; if the flight is full or no adjacent seats are available, they’ll be rebooked on a later flight. The change takes effect the same day Southwest switches from open seating to assigned seating.

A Southwest representative framed the update as part of the airline’s preparations for assigned seating: “We are updating many policies as we prepare…for assigned seating on 27 January 2026,” the spokesperson told ABC News on 26 August 2025.

When was this announced—and by whom?

• Assigned seating: Announced by Southwest on 21 July 2025; assigned seats went on sale on 29 July 2025 for travel from 27 January 2026.
• Customer of Size revision: Confirmed by Southwest via statements to media and website updates 25–26 Aug 2025 (AP on 25 August; ABC News on 26 August).

What Exactly is Changing?

• Buy in advance: Affected customers must purchase a second seat during booking for travel on or after 27 January 2026. If not, Southwest will require the purchase at the airport before boarding; if no suitable seating exists, the airline will rebook the traveller.
• Refunds still possible, not guaranteed: To qualify for a refund of the extra seat after travel, all conditions must be met: the flight departed with at least one open seat, both seats were in the same fare class, and the traveller requests the refund within 90 days of travel.

Refunds for that additional seat remain possible but are no longer guaranteed. To qualify, all of the below must be true:

1. The flight must depart with at least one open seat.
2. The passenger must purchase both seats in the same fare class.
3. The passenger must submit a refund request within 90 days of travel.

How this Compares to Other U.S. Carriers

• Delta Air Lines allows purchase of an extra seat but states extra-seat tickets on nonrefundable fares are not refundable (value may only be reused in the same passenger’s name).
• JetBlue lets customers book an extra seat for comfort; its public guidance does not advertise post-travel refunds specifically for extra seats.

What to Do Under the New Policy

1. Purchase Two Seats: If you know you will need an extra seat at the time of booking, you must purchase two tickets for the same flight. 
2. Book in Advance: Purchase both seats in the same fare class to be eligible for the refund. 
3. Submit for Refund: If the flight has an open seat, and you meet the other criteria, you can submit a refund request for the second seat within 90 days of your travel date. 

Our Take

It is essential to plan with certainty rather than optimism. If you or your client require two seats on Southwest Airlines for travel on 27 January 2026, it is advisable to allocate the budget for both seats in advance, considering any potential refunds as an additional benefit. This approach is akin to carrying an umbrella; by preparing adequately, the likelihood of encountering unforeseen challenges is significantly reduced.