In a world where entitlement seems to be growing at an alarming rate, it appears Southwest Airlines finally decided to pump the brakes—at least when it comes to their “customer of size” policy. This policy, which previously allowed plus-size passengers to secure an extra seat without upfront costs, will take a backseat beginning January 27, 2026. Passengers who can’t fit comfortably within one seat will now need to purchase an additional seat from the get-go. Refunds, if they can still be had, will only come under much stricter conditions. It’s a dramatic turn for an airline once praised for accommodating all passengers, no matter their size.

Unsurprisingly, those who enjoyed the benefit of flying for effectively half-price are less than pleased with the change. Their wrath has poured out into the vast digital world of social media, with many arguing that their size is not the issue—it’s the system’s fault. One plus-sized traveler insists it’s a “basic human right” to fly without discomfort, and they’re standing up for change. The real world, however, continues to operate on inconvenient facts, including basic physics and economics.

Let’s take a moment to address the term “deserve,” a word tossed around like confetti these days. There seems to be a growing belief that everyone deserves to be endlessly comfortable, but reality begs to differ. If an individual consumes thousands of extra calories daily and the scales tip towards morbid obesity, discomfort is unfortunately part and parcel of that package. It’s akin to jumping into a bed of hot coals and demanding not to get burned—choices have consequences, and all too often, those choices lead to the logical outcomes of discomfort and health issues.

This is where the “fat acceptance” movement enters the conversation. It’s puzzling enough that individuals choose to ignore the reflection in the mirror, but to demand society reshape its contours to accommodate personal indulgences ventures into narcissism. When one’s gravitational field threatens the structural integrity of seating arrangements, it would be wise to consider the common denominator. It’s not the chairs, the seats, or even the airline policies at fault—it’s the decisions leading to an unsustainable weight that’s the problem.

There are two types of responses when reality sets in for those on the larger side of the scale. In one corner, there are those who see a broken chair as a wake-up call—a stark reminder that something needs to change. On the other side of the spectrum, we find those who blame everyone else for the collapse, demanding adjustments be made for them. With empathy in one hand and reality in the other, it’s time to face facts: flying with dignity isn’t about comfort; it’s about fitting within the physical world we’ve all been given.

Southwest Airlines’ policy change may irritate some, but it’s crucial not to overlook the deeper message here. Accountability often tastes better in small doses served by reality. While the entitled may grumble, the universe won’t be bending the laws of physics anytime soon. In a world teetering on the edge of entitlement overload, perhaps it’s time to look in the mirror and reflect on the choices that brought us here. Because at the end of the day, the only entitlement we truly have is to the outcomes of our own actions.