Next year, the American airline Southwest Airlines will require tall passengers to book and pay for an extra seat if they want to travel on the airline's aircraft. Southwest Airlines already has a policy where tall passengers can buy an extra seat or request an extra seat when they check in. With the new rules, tall passengers must book an extra seat, otherwise they may be denied boarding the flight.

Passengers can now get a refund for the extra seat they paid for if the flight is not fully booked, something that will also be possible when the new rules come into effect. People who cannot lower both armrests of their seat and/or whose body extends noticeably beyond the limits of the seat are considered by Southwest Airlines as large passengers, what they call ”Customers of size”. The airline’s new rules for these passengers will come into effect on January 27, 2026. 

Source: thick.se support.southwest.com