Can You Actually Not Fit in a Southwest Seat? The Complete Truth Behind the Numbers, the Outrage, and What Nobody’s Telling You
Southwest Airlines’ “Customer of Size” policy sparked backlash over body discrimination, but the math tells a different story. With seats measuring about 17 inches wide, hip breadth data shows that over 99% of adults physically fit within the boundary. The discomfort most passengers feel comes from shoulder crowding, not hip width. This article breaks down the numbers, debunks misconceptions, and explains why the policy affects only a tiny fraction of flyers—while still raising real social and comfort concerns.