Southwest slammed for changing extra seat refund policy

Policy Change - Southwest will require passengers encroaching on neighboring seats to purchase an additional ticket starting in January [1] - The additional ticket may not be refunded [1] - Previously, passengers could pay for an extra seat in advance and receive a refund, or request an extra seat at the airport for free [1] - The second seat will only be refundable if the flight has at least one open seat and both seats are in the same fare class [2] Stakeholder Reaction - Advocacy groups for overweight people consider the changes devastating due to increased costs [2]