WestJet execs tried cramped seats weeks before viral video triggered backlash: report

A new development has emerged in the controversy surrounding WestJet’s fixed-recline seats, with reports revealing that airline executives tested the tight seating weeks before the issue went viral online.  

The debate gained widespread attention after an Alberta woman shared a TikTok video on Dec. 27, showing her parents squeezed into a cramped row with little to no room to move.

As reported, the video struck a chord online, generating significant backlash, racking up 1.1 million views, in a short period of time.

Apparently, according to the Canadian Press, WestJet executives tried out the cramped seating weeks before the complaints went viral.

Last November, WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech, joined by five executives, the company’s chair and union representatives, reportedly took a Calgary-to-Toronto flight to experience the ultra-tight seating configuration in the rear of a Boeing 737.

The trip was requested by union officials after videos of the new seat configuration—offering less legroom than standard economy—began to surface, showing passengers visibly uncomfortable.

Executives on the flight conceded the new seating layout could pose “challenges” on longer or evening flights because of “limited comfort and mobility,” according to a union bulletin cited by CP.

The bulletin added that WestJet officials found the configuration “generally acceptable” on shorter flights.

READ MORE: WestJet to roll out new cabin interiors

The airline’s CEO also said he “personally felt OK” in the cramped seat, noting similar layouts are common among many European and North American carriers.

“However, I understand it is subjective and many people may feel different, we are actively listening to this feedback,” von Hoensbroech told CP.

In recent weeks, both passengers and employees have spoken out, arguing the changes undermine safety and diminish the overall customer experience.

Last week, on the X social media platform, WestJet noted that its new seat reconfiguration underwent “an extensive safety and certification process.”

“All modifications were completed in accordance with Transport Canada’s rigorous airworthiness standards and WestJet’s own high internal safety requirements,” the airline wrote.

Slimmer seat, fixed recline

As previously reported, WestJet recently reconfigured parts of its Boeing 737 fleet, adding an extra row of seats and introducing slimmer seat designs to maximize capacity.

With this came Standard Economy with a “fixed recline" (non-reclining seats).

Space on these planes can vary from tighter seats at the rear to more generous legroom toward the front, with “upgraded” seats featuring a more dynamic design to maximize comfort.

The new layout allowed WestJet to add an extra row of seating compared with the previous configuration.

It was intended to improve affordability by offering travellers “options that fits every comfort and budget level,” the airline has said.

The new seating configuration applied to 43 Boeing 737s, including aircraft inherited from former low-cost subsidiary Swoop, the recently-integrated Sunwing Airlines and Lynx Air, which ceased operations last year.

Many of those planes did not previously feature a premium economy section.

Under its new cabin layout, WestJet has added roughly a dozen premium seats and 36 extended comfort seats, alongside the lower-priced economy seats with reduced legroom.

The denser seating brings WestJet in line with ultra-low-cost carriers such as Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Wizz Air, but no other Canadian airline currently flies aircraft with a 28-inch seat pitch.

After temporarily pausing the rollout amid backlash, WestJet said it plans to resume installing the new seating configuration this spring.

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