Southwest updates its seat policy for plus-size passengers

DALLAS - Southwest Airlines announced it has revised its policy for plus-size travelers, stating that passengers will no longer need to buy an extra seat ahead of time. 

Instead, airport staff may provide an additional seat free of charge when available.

The airline’s adjustment to its policy went into effect late last week.

Southwest updates seat policy for plus-size passengers

What they're saying:

"Southwest is working to create a more consistent and seamless experience for customers who require an additional seat," a spokesperson for Southwest told FOX Local. "On flights where adjacent seats are available, our agents at the airport are empowered to provide an additional seat at no extra cost to customers who require one." 

The spokesperson added, "If another seat is not available, we will work to accommodate the customer on a later flight. We continue to encourage customers who need an additional seat to book it in advance to help alleviate any last-minute inconvenience at the airport."

Southwest’s previous seating policy

The backstory:

Southwest Airlines said the policy change is something that the airline has spent a "great deal of time reviewing." 

In late January, Southwest ended its open-seating policy, with assigned seating now standard on all flights.

Passengers could pay extra for preferred seats, additional space, and earlier boarding under the new system.

EARLIER: Southwest Airlines changes seating policy for plus-size passengers

This meant that passengers who did not fit within the armrests of their seats to pay for an extra one ahead of their flight.

"To ensure space, we are communicating to customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking," the airline’s statement said at the time.