WestJet Backs Down on its Plan to Install Non-Reclining Seats

WestJet announced last September its plan to revise the layout of 43 Boeing 737s by adding a row of seats and segmenting the cabin into different fare categories, some offering more space for an additional fee.

The most controversial measure concerned the introduction of seats with a “fixed tilt system”, as the company called it, which could not be tilted.

According to an internal memo obtained by The Canadian Press, WestJet Vice President Robert Antoniuk indicated that these modifications would, for the time being, only be applied to 22 aircraft (instead of 43 initially), 21 of which are already equipped with this denser configuration.

The Calgary-based company plans to survey its customers and employees after several expressed dissatisfaction with the announcement.

A “seamless passenger experience” called into question

The idea of ​​charging for access to reclining seats has provoked strong reactions from passengers, but also from employees.

In a bulletin to its members, the union compared the reduction in legroom to the practices of ultra-low-cost carriers such as Spirit, Wizz Air and Frontier.

The union also believes that these changes could increase passenger frustration and harm crew members’ rest, who would have more difficulty sleeping on board while traveling between assignments.

In September, WestJet stated its intention to “invest in a seamless passenger experience” by introducing multiple seating categories on more than 40 aircraft from its former subsidiary Swoop Airlines, the recently integrated Sunwing Airlines, and the defunct Lynx Air.

The project notably includes the addition of about ten “premium” seats and 36 “Comfort Plus” seats, offering increased space at a higher price.

“The new cabin configuration caters to the diverse preferences of our guests. Whether they choose premium seats with more space and amenities or more affordable tickets with less space, we are pleased to offer new products tailored to their needs,” said Samantha Taylor, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience for the WestJet Group.