WestJet Airlines has paused its plan to install non-reclining seats across a large portion of its Boeing 737 fleet after significant pushback from both passengers and employees. The Calgary-based carrier initially announced the seating redesign earlier this year, aiming to reconfigure 43 aircraft with a new “fixed recline” layout in economy class that eliminates traditional reclining functionality to add an extra row of seats and segment the cabin into several fare tiers.

Under the proposed layout, many standard economy seats would offer less legroom than before and be unable to tilt back. Adjustable seats with full recline would remain available only as a paid add-on. This sparked immediate criticism from travellers, who argued that reclining ability is a basic comfort on flights, especially longer ones, and should not be restricted or monetized. Flight attendants and pilots also raised concerns, suggesting that the more confined seating could affect employee well-being and operational safety.

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In response to this feedback, WestJet communicated internally that the wider rollout will be limited to 22 aircraft for now, with 21 already modified. Further installations originally planned for the rest of the 43-plane group have been put on hold. The airline said it will gather additional feedback from customers and staff over the coming months and review the performance of the reconfigured cabins before deciding whether to resume the broader rollout in spring.

Unions representing cabin crew highlighted specific issues with the tighter seating, likening reduced legroom to conditions on ultra-low-cost carriers and noting challenges for passengers with mobility needs, families with car seats, and travellers with pets. They also pointed to limited overhead bin space as a concern despite the increased number of seats. These factors combined to fuel frustration among both crews and guests.

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WestJet’s approach reflects a broader industry trend of unbundling traditional amenities and offering them as paid options to bolster ancillary revenue. However, the strong backlash underscores the potential downside of reducing basic comforts in the name of cost-saving or product segmentation. The airline will now have to balance competitive pressures and revenue goals with customer expectations as it refines its seating strategy.