Southwest Airlines will bring its policy for large passengers to AirTran Airways starting March 1.
That means certain passengers --- whom Southwest delicately calls "customers of size" --- would have to buy a second seat if they are flying in the coach section of AirTran, the second-largest airline at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
So what is a "customer of size," exactly?
According to Southwest, they are those passengers "who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat[s]. ... The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats."
Those who dislike the policy say it's not just about money.
Peggy Howell, a spokeswoman for the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, said some passengers end up "embarrassed and humiliated" when they're asked to buy a second seat at the airport.
"I'm sorry to hear that they're now going to be passing on their bad policy to another airline," Howell said. "We are paying customers."
Up until now, AirTran has not had a stated policy, but AirTran employees at the gate typically offered to sell a second seat or an upgrade to larger-size passengers.
The change comes as Southwest, which bought AirTran, integrates the airline. Southwest estimates the policy, which has been in place for about 30 years, affects "far less" than one-half of 1 percent of its customers.
Even so, Southwest has frequently asked questions on its website dedicated to "customers of size."
What about passengers with broad shoulders?
They might not be affected: "The upper body can be adjusted, but the portion of the body in the actual seating and armrest area doesn't have this flexibility."
Why are they doing it?
Southwest "became more vigilant regarding the additional purchase when we began seeing an increase in the number of valid complaints from passengers who traveled without full access to their seat because a large customer infringed upon the adjacent seating space."
What about refunds?
The airline says if the flight isn't oversold, passengers can contact Southwest for a refund of the cost of additional seating after travel.
AirTran will have the same refund policy.
Enforcement is a sore point. There no clearly defined parameters, Howell pointed out, so Southwest and AirTran "leave it up to the judgment of their staff."
According to SeatGuru.com, AirTran's seats are 18 inches wide in coach class and 22 inches wide in business class. Southwest does not have business class and has open seating.
When it comes to larger customers, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, meanwhile, does not have a specific written policy.
"Our flight crews and customer service agents work as a team to ensure all our customers, regardless of their circumstances, are comfortable when flying," Delta spokeswoman Susan Elliott said.
If a passenger raises an issue about a customer of size at departure time and the flight isn't full, the passenger will be moved to another seat, she said.
If the flight is full, "we work with both passengers to reaccommodate one of them on another flight based on availability."
