So in practice it appears it is up to other passengers to know that the armrest is the definitive boundary and to bring that to a flight attendant’s notice? Do people just rely on other people not wanting to seem rude to abuse the system? Shouldn’t the flight attendants be on the lookout for this, the same as they would for example (hopefully) notice someone with a leg cast in an exit row?
The gate agents should be on the lookout and ask questions at boarding. They will let someone large on even if they will spill onto the next seat if they KNOW the person in the next seat (assuming the child/spouse/friend doesn’t mind sharing half the seat).
I would have said something right away. I’m a large person but I fit in one seat, always leave the arm rest down, don’t need a seat belt extender but it is tight if assigned a middle seat not to touch the people on either side. I try, but when reaching for something or trying to get up, touching happens. Not for 2 hours.
Here is a summary of other airlines’ customer of size policies:
The policy tells the large person what they should do. It doesn’t address what the rights are of the person being squeezed out of their seat space when the large person doesn’t buy 2 seats.
I didn’t want to embarrass the large woman. I didn’t want to cause a scene. I think the airline is expecting and hoping the squeezed passenger will just grit it out.
I think this is exactly what both of them (person and airline) were hoping for.
That’s why the aisle is critical.
In the old days, if you wrote SW, you’d get $100 credit or something else.
In the new SW, they offer $20 for changing flights, so I imagine it’d be similar.
I think it’s one of those, policy or not, it’s a difficult situation any customer service person will do their best to avoid.
It’s uncomfortable to bring up and embarrassing for all parties. I can’t imagine in most cases that it gets addressed.
DH and I received luv vouchers after a couple of recent flights but ours were related to extreme delays. I would submit a complaint. You might get something.
We just flew Southwest for a Hawaii vacation and back (AWESOME by the way!). Southwest is like every other airline, except more freakin crowded. Next time, I fly Delta and we’re upgrading to first class!
Wow—that sounds very uncomfortable for you and the person who was larger than her seat. I’m sorry and I would definitely write a letter to complain! Fortunately H and I have not had that experience but we don’t fly SW. S has been booking us business class seats lately (on a variety of airlines)—it’s quite heavenly—even economy plus is nice.
In economy plus, we often book the aisle & window & the middle seat stays empty! It’s very nice & worth the extra money on 5 hour flights ( which are generally our shortest flights).
Sadly seats these days keep shrinking and passengers are NOT shrinking!
Moreso now that they are opening lounges next year in Austin, BWI, Honolulu and Nashville.
“A new, premium Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Card issued by Chase will be launching in 2027 and will provide access to the new Southwest lounge network.”
guessing $400 annual fee.
Will see if A list gets me access although honestly, i’m not sure i’d use it.
Give me a seat and a plug…
I don’t go to the airport to sit in luxury 
I arrive 90 minutes b4, sit and work. Someone should copy SW because what worked for 50 years is gone. Still made money but was completely changed.
The last time I flew SW, I had a 3 1/2 hour layover at BWI. It was one of the shorter layovers. I would have loved a lounge. I hope they let their flyers purchase day passes to these lounges. That might get me to reconsider SW. might. With all the recent changes, the another airline are just as good, if not better.
Given we use BWI most of the time when we fly, and we often fly SW, that card may be worth it for us.
I’ve never noticed this “benefit” before, but I just got to move seats to closer to front of seat because it’s 48 hours before flight and there were still preferred seats available. I was fine with our other seats (we do aisles across from each other), but I figured what the heck.
I’m never quite sure who actually pays for these. Like you if it’s offered for free I’ll happily take it to get off the aircraft a little earlier, but I am always puzzled when I see airlines charging for them. I might and do pay extra for a premium seat in terms of space/size, but not that.
Us too. But it has definitely gotten more expensive! Often cheaper to fly out of National on SW (but probably not as many non-stops?)