Guidelines for Customers of Size


Customers who are unable to lower the armrests (the definitive boundary between seats) and/or who compromise any portion of adjacent seating should proactively book the number of seats needed during initial reservations. This purchase serves as a notification of an unusual seating need and allows us to process a refund of the additional seating cost after travel (provided the flight doesn’t oversell). Most importantly, it ensures that all onboard have access to safe and comfortable seating.

For more information, please refer to our Customer of size Q&A

Booking Instructions via southwest.com

  1. Click “Reservations.”
  2. Select your city pair(s) and travel date(s).
  3. Select the number of seats needed (“two” is the typical choice for most Customers of size).
  4. Proceed through the “Select Flight” and “Itinerary and Pricing” pages.
  5. Complete the “Passenger Information” name fields: For example, a passenger named Tom Smith would designate Passenger One as “Tom Smith,” and Passenger Two as “T Smith” (first initial and last name).
  6. If a Customer purchases one of our unrestricted full fares, the second seat can be sold at the discounted Child’s Fare that is available via a Reservations Sales Agent at 800 I-FLY-SWA to book/purchase the extra seat at the Child Fare.

Booking Instructions via our Reservations Center at 800 I-FLY-SWA (800-435-9792)

  1. Inform the Agent you wish to book two seats.
  2. We will offer the lowest fare available and if an advance purchase, discounted fare is booked, the second seat will be sold at the same discounted fare.
  3. If a Customer purchases one of our unrestricted full fares, the second seat will be sold at the Child’s Fare.

Checkin Instructions

  1. Customers can retrieve a Security Document1 online to pass through a security checkpoint if not checking baggage.
  2. If baggage or wheelchair assistance is needed curbside, a skycap will escort the Customer to the ticket counter. The Customer of size checkin is handled at the ticket counter or at the gate (and cannot be processed online or via E-Ticket Check-In kiosk).
  3. At checkin, the Customer will receive a boarding pass, Reserved Seat Document, Refund Advice Slip, and preboard directions.

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