Customers who are overweight may obtain two seats at no additional cost according to Southwest’s Customer of Size policy. The decision has drawn criticism.
To accommodate clients who need more than one seat and to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers, the policy was revised more than 30 years ago. But after many more problems with overweight passengers than in the past, consumers are learning about the regulation.
Southwest maintains that the policy’s goal is customer satisfaction, including obese people who are uncomfortable in one seat. They maintain this policy is for the safety and comfort of all passengers.
“Those who infringe on any section of the surrounding seat(s)” are large customers. Overweight passengers can purchase an additional seat and then request a refund for that seat after the aircraft has landed. Customers may ask a customer care representative about unique seating options for bigger passengers at the airport.
Opponents of the strategy say it shows the corporation is giving in to radical “woke” activists rather than looking out for its consumers’ best interests. They contend that individuals who are overweight should be treated with kindness and consideration and that being overweight should not provide some people advantages while others suffer. Airline companies could have overweight people buy two tickets instead of one, so they don’t have to squeeze into one additional seat or bother their neighbors.
People are not intentionally discriminated against; instead, they are being made to face the reality of their choices due to this policy. Ticket prices will rise to cover expenses incurred when a flight is almost complete and an overweight individual purchases many seats in advance. Another unfair factor is that specific customers, such as extremely tall persons, would prefer to have two seats to stretch out on.
American, United, and Delta do not have this policy and instead advise overweight customers to purchase an additional seat if necessary. Also, unlike its rivals, Southwest Airlines doesn’t pre-assign seats; instead, customers may choose their seats at the last minute, which might not be the most convenient option.
