Southwest Airlines Updates Their Extra Seat Policy to Make Sure Nobody Gets a Free Armrest; AITA for Thinking This is Just a Money Grab?
TL;DR – Southwest's new "extra seat policy" is basically them admitting you can pay for two seats to avoid being the person who makes the flight attendant's day awkward, but only if you call ahead and pay full price for both, because apparently asking for a second seat at the gate is now peasant behavior. Thought you could just buy one and hope the plane isn't full? Wrong, now you're a "customer of size" with a neon sign. So next time you're wedged next to a dude who paid for a second seat but forgot to notify the airline, just remember: Southwest's policy update is less about comfort and more about making sure you remember to bring your own personal space bubble—and your wallet.