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Southwest Airlines finally did what needed to be done. Starting next year, passengers who cannot fit in one seat will have to buy two seats upfront. No more free rides for taking up extra space that other paying customers deserve.
For years, Southwest let oversized passengers grab extra seats for free if the plane had room. This meant hardworking Americans who paid full price might get squeezed out of seats they deserved. That stops in January 2026 when the new rules kick in.
The airline industry has bent over backwards to accommodate every possible complaint. But at some point, basic fairness has to matter more than hurt feelings. If you need two seats, you should pay for two seats.
Critics are already crying about discrimination and calling this cruel. But Southwest is a business, not a charity. They need to make money to keep flying planes and employing thousands of workers.
The old system was unfair to everyone else on the plane. Regular-sized passengers got crammed together while others got bonus space for nothing. That is not how capitalism should work in America.
Personal responsibility used to mean something in this country. If your lifestyle choices require extra accommodation, that is your problem to solve. Airlines should not have to eat the cost of your decisions.
Southwest faced pressure from investors to stop giving away free seats. Smart business leaders listen when shareholders demand better profits. That is how the free market is supposed to work.
The company tried to be nice for years with their generous policy. But nice does not pay the bills or keep airlines competitive. Sometimes tough love is exactly what America needs.
