Southwest's 'customer of size' policy allows free seats — what is it and why are people talking about it?
Canadian airlines are ordered to provide additional seats to those with certain disabilities, but there are conditions.
"The 360" shows you diverse perspectives on the day's top stories and debates.
What is the 'customer of size' policy?
Southwest Airlines' long-standing "customer of size" policy has recently gained traction on TikTok and media coverage, sparking conversations about the need for similar seating accommodations on other airlines.
For more than 30 years, this policy has allowed passengers to book extra seats for free, if they cannot fit between two standard armrest that border each seat — a width of 17 inches.
Passengers can proactively purchase additional seats before their travels and obtain a refund for the cost of those extra seats after completing their journey.
Southwest encouraged passengers to plan ahead and buy extra seats to help the airline efficiently allocate space, ensuring all customers on a flight can be accommodated without the need for impromptu seat adjustments. The policy also permits passengers to approach customer service agents at departure gates without having pre-purchased additional seats, allowing for complimentary additional seating.
Does this policy exist for Canadian airlines?
In Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency ordered Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet to implement a "one-person-one-fare policy" in 2008, for domestic flights. However, it specifies it does not apply to "persons who are obese but not disabled as a result of their obesity."
It also adds, "where it is not obvious that a person is disabled by severe obesity, a carrier may require information on the person's size to determine whether an additional seat is required because the person cannot fit in one seat with the armrest lowered."
A spokesperson for WestJet told Yahoo Canada the airline is "not considering a policy similar to Southwest's 'customer of size' policy. It's special needs seating policy says persons with "disabling obesity" can fill out a medical form and no-charge additional seating may be provided for domestic flights.
Air Canada has not responded to request for comment at the time of publishing.
Why are people talking about Southwest's policy?
A TikTok video posted by user @Kimmystyled brought attention to this policy. In the video, a passenger requests to use the policy at a departure gate, and the post has garnered nearly a million views since its posting in October.
"Public airplanes are public transportation and should be accessible and comfortable for us all. I applaud [Southwest Air] for being the only airline with a fair and humane way of flying fat passengers with dignity," the TikToker captioned the video. "We shouldn't have to pay for two seats. Seats should be larger for all people including tall and pregnant passengers."
In the U.S., Alaska Airlines has a similar customer of size policy, allowing refunds for extra seats as long as there are open seats available. The TikToker argued it should be an industry standard, especially for individuals who may be larger or have disabilities.
While the video has received widespread support, some viewers have raised questions about the concept of providing a free seat. This has led to broader discussions about inclusivity and comfort in air travel, with considerations for passengers of various body sizes and physical abilities.
Perspectives
Deserving to travel
"Fat people deserve to travel for pleasure just like everyone else, and we also need to remember that air travel is for work, for family obligations, and for other responsibilities, too... Our taxes help support this industry, and we deserve to be accommodated safely and comfortably, with access to accessible seating at all price levels," Tigress Osborn, executive director of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, told CNBC.
Flying with obesity 'humiliating'
"Flying is one of the most humiliating experiences for people with obesity... The disdain and even hate coming from other passengers who pray they don't have to sit next to you and get your fat cooties. It's an experience I have had enough of in my life and hope I never experience again," Barb Herrera told Newsweek.
"If I can't get there with Southwest, I don't travel. Because it takes away the anxiety for me. We [plus size travelers] face a lot of discrimination on flights. Nasty looks, people saying rude things. If we're able to be comfortable, and we're not putting anyone else out, I don't think there's anything wrong with it [ the customer size policy]," Domonique Pugh, a plus-sized traveler, told Fox26 Houston, according to Aerotime Hub.
Seats are getting smaller
"Since the 1960s, the number of obese people in the U.S. aged 20 and above has increased from just 10 per cent of the population to some 42 per cent by 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, advocates claim that airplane seat widths have decreased by as much as three inches over the last three decades," TIME Magazine reported.
Some say it's unfair
"Critics on social media have blasted Southwest, which does not include free accommodations for tall customers or those who need extra space for medical equipment. On Twitter, a user named Tuck wrote: 'They’ve never offered me the seat in front of me because I’m 6’6” and my legs don’t fit?'... 'Sorry but this is b*******. You need the extra space you pay,'" the Daily Mail UK reported.
"While it's incredibly generous of Southwest, it also is a bit unfair to people who are not overweight and might also like to have some extra space," comedian Daniel Lobell, who is also an overweight passenger, told Newsweek.
