Customer of Size

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Customers of Size Policy

Guidelines for Customers of Size

Customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s) should proactively book the needed number of seats prior to travel. The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats and measures 17 inches in width. The purchase of additional seats serves as a notification to Southwest of a special seating need. Most importantly, it ensures that all Customers onboard have access to safe and comfortable seating. You may contact us for a refund of the cost of additional seating after travel, provided the flight does not oversell (which means having more confirmed Customers than seats on the aircraft).

For more information, please refer to our Customer of Size Policy Q&A.

Online Booking Instructions for southwest.com

  1. Click "Air."
  2. Select your city pair(s) and travel date(s).
  3. In the "Passengers" field, indicate the total number of seats needed by selecting that number of adults. (For example, if one Customer of size requires two seats and is traveling with one other adult in his/her party, select "3 Adults.")
  4. Proceed through the "Select Flight" and "Itinerary and Pricing" pages.
  5. Complete the "Who's Flying?" name fields for a Customer of size as follows: A Passenger named Tom Smith would designate Passenger One as "Tom Smith," and Passenger Two as "Tom XS Smith" (first name Tom, middle name XS, and last name Smith).
     
    Who's Flying Sample 
  6. If a Customer purchases a Business Select or Anytime Fare, the second seat can be sold at the discounted Child's Fare. It is important to note that the Child's Fare is available via our Customer Support Services only. You will need to call (800) I-FLY-SWA (800-435-9792) to book/purchase the extra seat at the Child's Fare.

Phone Booking Instructions

  1. Call Customer Support and Services at (800) I-FLY-SWA (800-435-9792).
  2. Inform the Representative that you are familiar with our Customer of size policy and wish to book two seats.
  3. We will offer our lowest Fare available. If an advance purchase, discounted Fare (i.e., Wanna Get Away Fare) is booked, the second seat will be sold at the same discounted Fare.
  4. If a Customer purchases one of our unrestricted full Fares (Anytime or Business Select Fares), the second seat will be sold at the Child's Fare.

Checkin Instructions

  1. Customers of size must check in with a Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter or gate to obtain a Reserved Seat Document and Refund Advice Slip for the additional seats purchased.
  2. Customers of size may check in online or through a Self-Service Check-in kiosk1 to reserve their boarding positions, but they must see a Customer Service Agent to receive the required documents and be eligible for a refund after the flight.

1 On occasion, federally mandated procedures may prevent our ability to issue a Security Document online. Under these circumstances, please see a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the airport for assistance.