Fury over wheelchair loophole being exploited on Southwest flights: ‘More miracles than the Vatican’

Southwest Airlines has come under fire for letting able-bodied flyers use wheelchair assistance to board early.

On a flight on Sunday, a passenger tweeted that he had counted 30 people who boarded early after lining up in wheelchairs.

But only two needed them to disembark, he wrote — suggesting 28 passengers have either been cured on the flight or gamed the system. He also posted a photo of many of the passengers who needed assistance boarding.

During the tweet, other Southwest customers slammed those abusing the loophole, saying it was unfair to those who are genuinely disabled, as well as the few who pay for early boarding.

Southwest assigns seats on a first-come, first-served basis, except for a few priority passengers.

These passengers include those who have paid extra for early boarding, frequent flyers and passengers who require a wheelchair.

Unfortunately, this “hack” has been used as a means of gaining access to better seats by those who are not truly incapacitated.

This has led to a proliferation of customers claiming the need for wheelchair boarding, resulting in Southwest carrying more wheelchair passengers than any other airline, View From The Wing reports.

A Southwest passenger reported seeing 30 wheelchair users board. Here is a picture they took of many of them waiting to get on the plane to Tampa

The misuse of wheelchairs as a ‘loophole’ for boarding is driving up airfares as it is ultimately a service the airline has to pay for, experts said in the publication.

Those with a real need for a wheelchair are also forced to wait longer than they would have to, without so many others using the service for no real reason.

‘Typical Southwest flight to Florida!’ recent passenger Brian Hudson wrote X, accompanied by a photo of dozens of passengers waiting at the gate in wheelchairs.

‘I counted 30 pre-boards that needed wheelchair assistance. When we get off the plane 28 of them leave!’ he added.

Many users were outraged by the scene, with one commenting “every day I pray for these villains to be crippled long before they die.”

Others saw the more humorous side of the situation with one writing: ‘I’ve always said Southwest should apply for sainthood in the Vatican because they have successfully healed more people than anyone else in recent years.’

Another agreed, calling it a ‘miracle flight’ where passengers ‘board a wheelchair and miraculously are able to walk!’

Southwest responded to Hudson’s post and apologized for the disappointment.

“Pre-boarding is offered to customers who require assistance for a variety of reasons,” a spokesperson wrote in the comments.

“We are working hard to maintain the integrity of the boarding process while providing appropriate accommodations for everyone who flies.”

Southwest will move to an assigned seating model in the first half of 2026

The problem is likely to come to an end in the near future as Southwest has promised to move to an assigned seating model.

While wheelchair passengers can still board earlier, they will not be given priority seating.

Southwest will begin flights with passengers seated in assigned seats during the first half of 2026 as the company restructures the airline in hopes of boosting profits.

However, the company pledged to continue allowing passengers to check two bags for free, describing the policy as ‘the single most important feature that sets Southwest apart from other airlines.’