Customers who encroach upon the neighboring seat(s) may need to occupy two adjacent seats.
- If you need to occupy more than one seat, we strongly recommend that you purchase the seat prior to travel to ensure that adjacent seats are available. See below for information about refund options for the extra seat.
- If you need to occupy more than one seat and you did not reserve adjacent seats before arriving to the airport, adjacent seats may not be available on your flight. In that case, we will rebook you on another flight with available adjacent seating.
The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats; you may review information about the width of Passenger seats. In addition, Southwest® may determine, in its sole discretion, that an additional seat is necessary for safety purposes.
Only one seatbelt extension per Passenger is approved for use onboard the aircraft, and the seatbelt extension must be provided by Southwest Airlines®. A seatbelt extension cannot be used by a Passenger seated in an exit seat.
Booking an extra seat
- Purchase in advance
If you require more than one seat, we strongly recommend that you book both seats when making your reservation to ensure availability. If you have not reserved adjacent seats before arriving to the airport and adjacent seats are not available, you’ll be rebooked on another flight with available seating.
- Partner carriers: If your itinerary includes a partner airline, you must contact them directly to purchase the additional seat. These seats are non-refundable.
Extra seats may not be purchased solely to keep the adjacent seat empty.
What happens if I arrive to the airport and haven’t reserved the space I need?
- If you haven’t reserved an extra seat and it’s determined that you need one:
- You’ll be accommodated with a complimentary extra seat, but only if adjacent seats are available, which may result in a change of seat type, including a lower category of seat.
- If the flight is full or if adjacent seats aren’t available, you’ll be rebooked on another flight with available seating.
- If this determination is made after boarding, you may need to deplane for rebooking.
Receiving seat assignments if you purchase adjacent seats in advance
Depending on your fare type, your fare may include the ability to choose your seats when booking. If seat selection isn’t available during booking, please contact us as soon as possible so we can assist you in assigning adjacent seats.
- If your fare doesn’t include seat assignments, we won’t assign seats for other members of your party.
- If adjacent seats aren’t available on your flight or in your fare class when you contact us, we’ll rebook you on another flight where adjacent seats are available.
Refund of the extra seat after completion of travel
- If you purchased two seats in advance, you may request a refund for your extra seat after travel. Keep in mind the following:
- The flight must have departed with at least one open seat (or with Passengers traveling on space available passes).
- Both seats should be purchased in the same fare class (i.e., Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra, or Basic).
- The refund request must be made within 90 days of travel.
