As of January 2026, Alaska Airlines has updated its "Customer of Size" policy to be more in line with other major carriers, making it slightly less flexible than its previous reputation. The current policy states that if a passenger cannot sit comfortably in a single seat with the armrests lowered, they are required to purchase an additional seat at the time of booking. Both seats must be purchased in the same fare class. However, Alaska remains "friendly" in that they offer a guaranteed refund for the second seat if the flight departs with at least one empty seat available. To claim this, you must contact their customer service team after your travel is complete. If you do not purchase a second seat in advance and the flight is full, you may be denied boarding and rebooked on a later flight where two seats are available. While the financial burden is upfront, the potential for a refund makes Alaska a more inclusive option for larger travelers compared to airlines that offer no reimbursement for the extra space required for safety and comfort.