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WestJet Scraps Cramped Seating Plan After Backlash

1/17/2026

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Story summary
  • WestJet will revert its economy seating to the previous configuration after backlash over cramped conditions.
  • WestJet Chief Executive Officer Alexis von Hoensbroech acknowledged the need to balance affordability with passenger needs as the plan to reduce seat pitch from 30 inches to 28 inches drew criticism.
  • The airline paused plans to retrofit 43 aircraft with fixed recline seating after negative public response, including a viral video.