Could a “Fat Tax” Be Coming to Montana Flights?

There’s a new airline story swirling around right now, and though it mostly passes over Montana… It’s still the kind of thing that stops you in your scrolling and makes you go, “Wait… is this what we’re doing now?”

Southwest Airlines is getting a little heat for altering its long-established approach to plus-size passengers. Until a couple of years ago, they were literally considered to be one of the more accommodating airlines. But if you needed the second seat, you could take one and maybe get a refund later. That’s now off the table. And under the new policy, some passengers might have to pay for that second seat, with no promise they will ever get the money back.

And here’s where it gets a little uneasy.

It’s Not Exactly a Clear Rule

Here’s the tricky part. There’s no simple, black-and-white rule being cited about who qualifies for that second seat. No measuring tape. No official line in the sand. Sometimes it means that a gate agent makes the decision on the spot. Which sounds like one of those scenarios where there may be some fat shaming involved.

People are describing it as awkward, inconsistent, and in some cases downright embarrassing. And others are suggesting something we’ve all observed but might not have voiced yet… airline seats aren’t actually getting larger. So now the seats get smaller, and somehow that becomes your lumpy butt's problem?

Why Montana Very Much Should Be Paying Attention

Southwest only serves flights to Bozeman. So, in a way, yes, this may already be the case based on where you are flying out of.

But the bigger worry isn’t only about Southwest.

I'm your typical Montana guy. We are built bigger here. If the seat keeps getting smaller. Soon, we all will be playing the plus-size tax. If this policy is successful, if it is profitable, or if it just quietly persists without much pushback, it would be no surprise to see the rest of the airlines take a long look at it. And that’s when it starts to become everyone’s problem, including travelers in Montana.

This Feels Like Another Moment in the “Fee Era”

Let’s face it, airlines have been finding new ways to exact a fee for as long as I can remember. Bags, seat selection, early boarding, breathing closer to the front of the plane… it all adds up. This simply seems to be the next evolution. Tax the fatties.