I found this article to be clearer: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2025/08/22/southwest-new-plus-size-passenger-policy/85776512007/ https:/

I found this article to be clearer: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2025/08/22/southwest-new-plus-size-passenger-policy/85776512007/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2025/08/2... The requirement to buy the extra seat beforehand makes sense because Southwest no longer has open seating and someone who bought that extra seat would need to be moved during the boarding process, but they wouldn't know what seat is open.