Southwest Airlines’ Unique Plus-Size Passenger Policy Is Causing Controversy

Call it a free-market fight in flight.

A Southwest Airlines policy that allows obese customers to occupy an extra seat, or even two, free of charge is being “celebrated” by overweight passengers, according to a Wednesday report from Fox Business.

But it’s causing quite a bit of turbulence on social media from others who think the rest of the flying public is carrying the weight.

According to Fox, “passengers of size” are practically giddy over the policy, posting TikTok videos of themselves obtaining the extra tickets for free.

Here’s one that has garnered nearly 1 million views since it was posted in October:

@kimmystyled How to use @southwestair customer of size policy. Southwest is the only airline that allows you a second seat at no extra cost even if the flight is FULLY booked.  You HAVE to use it at the departing gate when you start your journey. If you don’t use it going out you cant use it flying back. Go to the departing gate agent and kindly ask them to use the customer of size policy. I’ve done this a dozen times and never had an issue or been denied. They will print you a new ticket + a second ticket to put down on your free seat. You will also be allowed to pre board!  Enter the aircraft, get your seatbelt extender, and grab your seat! I place the ticket in the seat next to me. I always take the window seat.  If anyone tries to sit it in I kindly let them know I have two seats booked. To be honest I almost never get approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane .  I’ve heard from others sometimes southwest will just put customer of size in your account so anytime you approach the main ticket gate you’ll get both your tickets at once but this hasn’t happened to me yet. I think this has to do with how “visibly fat” you are.  Public airplanes are public transportation and should be accessible and comfortable for us all. I applaud @southwestair for being the only airline with a fair and humane way of flying fat passengers with dignity. We shouldn’t have to pay for two seats. Seats should be larger for all people including tall and pregnant passengers. Since airlines got deregulated it’s been an ADA nightmare. Airlines should also allow wheelchairs in the cabin esp power wheelchairs. This is an access issue at the end of the day and discriminatory to fat and disabled customers.  #southwest #southwestairlines #customerofsize #customerofsizepolicy #plussize #plussizetravel #traveltips #plussizetraveltok #traveltok ♬ original sound – Kimmy

Clearly, it’s struck a nerve.

TikTok personality and “plus-size travel expert” Jae’lynn Chaney said more airlines should follow Southwest’s lead.

“I hope to see more airlines implement customer-of-size policies,” she told Fox.

“The Southwest customer size policy helps many travelers offset the disproportionate costs that we incur because of needing extra room. And so it’s not just about physical accessibility. It’s also about financial accessibility.”