WestJet to Remove Non-Reclining Economy Seats

WestJet Airlines announced on Friday its decision to remove non-reclining economy seats from certain Boeing 737 aircraft. This follows multiple complaints and viral videos on social media that depicted passengers struggling with limited legroom, their knees almost touching the seat in front.

The airline stated that it would revert back to its previous economy seating arrangement after analyzing operational data and considering customer feedback.

Last year, WestJet changed the seat configuration to accommodate more spacious premium seats, which many viewed as an experiment in maximizing profit through additional seating. I guess that was a gamble that didn’t quite pay off.

While adjustable economy seats will remain available, travelers should expect to pay an extra fee for those. The airline had paused the installation of the new configurations just last month, but videos showcasing passengers dealing with discomfort surfaced online back in January.

The space—or seat pitch—was reduced to 28 inches to fit an additional row of seats, which is, let’s be honest, quite cramped.

According to WestJet’s CEO, Alexis von Hohensbroek, the changes were intended to provide affordable fares, something that many airlines are currently trying to do. He acknowledged the importance of responding promptly when customer needs are not being met, which makes sense, right?

The changes faced pushback not just from passengers but also from pilots and flight attendants, who voiced concerns over comfort and even safety—like whether people could exit the aircraft quickly in an emergency situation.

Alia Hussein, president of the union representing WestJet flight attendants, expressed her satisfaction with the company’s decision to reverse its course.

Flight attendants reported receiving a flurry of complaints from displeased passengers, sometimes even needing to relocate taller travelers to different seats. It’s tough enough in the air without these added frustrations; I can only imagine how it felt for the crew.

“It created a hostile work environment for us as flight attendants,” Hussein added, which, well, is definitely not ideal.