by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 12:40 PM ET, Fri January 16, 2026
Economy seats on newly reconfigured WestJet planes will be returned to how they were following online backlash and rampant criticism over cramped seating.
"WestJet tried seat pitches that are popular with many airlines around the globe as they serve to provide affordable airfares," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer in a statement to media.
The airline had introduced economy cabins with a seat pitch of 28 inches. Seat pitch is measured from one point on a seat to the same point on the seat behind it and indicates how much room a passenger has in their seat.
According to a report from Global News, no other large Canadian airline has 28-inch pitch seats. Some lower-cost American airlines like Spirit and Frontier have rows with tighter legroom while offering more space at higher prices, a model WestJet was looking to emulate.
"As an entrepreneurial airline founded on making air travel affordable to Canadians it's in our DNA to try new products. At the same time, it is just as important to react quickly if they don't meet the needs of our guests," said von Hoensbroech.
Passengers and some airline staff questioned the safety and comfort of the new seats, WestJet branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees issuing a bulletin in August raising concerns about the redesign. It said the more cramped conditions made it harder for guests with varying mobility, car seats and pets, on top of limited overhead bin space.
Staff representatives also raised concerns about the difficulty crew would face getting rest in the confined seats as they travel to work.
When a video filmed on a WestJet plane went viral, public judgement was swift and fierce, drawing a lot of negative comments online.
WestJet had already paused plans to reconfigure 43 of its aircraft with “fixed recline” seating and an extra row of seats, resulting in the shorter pitch. 21 planes have already undergone the retrofit.
The airline stated that "following a review of operational data and feedback from guests and WestJetters,” those 21 planes will be returned to their previous configuration with its prior standard seat pitch for economy cabins.
"WestJet was founded as an airline centred on guests," added von Hoensbroech. "It is in this spirit that we will take what we've learned and continue to be cost-disciplined and innovative, while staying true to what our guests and our people expect from us."
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