Southwest Airlines has appeared in the news for a variety of negative reasons over the years. From scheduling issues that left people stranded at their airports to safety and maintenance problems. As if none of that was enough, now a Texas hairstylist is fed up and furious with Southwest Airlines for another reason. According to him, the airline tried to get him to pay for a second seat on his most recent trip. Why? They claimed he was “too big” for one seat.
Kenny (TikTok/bear_does_hair) is a Houston hairstylist who says he flies priority with Southwest Airlines all the time on his travels. “I fly weekly and sit in my seat just fine,” Kenny states in his TikTok video. However, this time, he ran into problems as he was checking in his bags. He was questioned by a lady at the check-in counter, who clocked Kenny as being too large for their seats. She even called in her supervisor to make the final call. It came completely out of left field, despite his weight never being an issue before.
Southwest Airlines does have a policy enacted in January 2026 saying that “customers of size” may need to purchase an extra seat, but says nothing of weight. The policy itself makes sense; however, it also says that Southwest “in its sole discretion,” can determine if it’s “necessary for safety purposes.” That means if one Southwest employee thinks Kenny is too big for a seat, they can make that call.
Kenny says he was stunned that the Southwest employee had the “audacity to say, ‘I’m just concerned about the people sitting next to you for their comfortability.’” He goes on to say the entire conversation happening between him and the check-in attendant made him feel uncomfortable. He’s being harassed about his weight in front of other people, after all. Kenny says, “I know I’m a hefty guy but I’ve lost over 60 pounds since Christmas. I fit in the seat just fine. Everyone is comfortable; we’re good.”
Kenny adds this is a return flight so the conversation would have made sense beforehand, but why are they having it now when he’s on his way home? If he made it there without making anybody uncomfortable, what changed on the way back?
How People Reacted to Kenny’s Unfair Treatment at Southwest Airlines
One commenter said of Southwest, “I’ve never seen a company tank their reputation so impressively in such a small amount of time.” Another commenter added, “I’m a bigger person myself, and while I do not need an extra seat, I will certainly be avoiding SW from now on. I don’t need that added level of anxiety when I’m flying.” One commenter wrote, “This is gonna end up turning into a giant class action lawsuit.” Kenny liked the comment on TikTok, and added in the thread,“Count me in!”
Southwest Airlines has not commented at this time, and Kenny has not made a follow-up video, nor expressed legal action.
