WestJet seats in economy will no longer recline, to 'preserve personal space'

WestJet has announced a “major cabin reconfiguration” on its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft that it says will offer “a refreshed range of seating options.” Among the changes, however, is something the airline is calling “fixed recline design” seats in its economy section. “Fixed” in this case means “don’t” — the seats no longer have an option to recline.

In a press release announcing the changes, WestJet says it is also instituting a new class, Extended Comfort , which “features 36 seats with extra legroom and will be separated from the Economy cabin by a cabin divider.”

It adds: “The standard seating in the Economy cabin offers choices ranging from less space at the back to more space near the front of the cabin, and upgraded seats featuring seatback contouring to maximize legroom, ergonomically designed, contoured bottom and back cushions.”

On its website, WestJet goes into further detail, noting that back of cabin seats from rows 20 to 31 offer less space, while middle seats (rows 15 to 19) offer a bit more, and those toward the front of the cabin even more.

Extended Comfort section seats will recline, as will those in the premium seating section, which is in front of economy. Both Extended Comfort and premium seats will cost more than the regular economy seats.

According to WestJet, the new non-reclining seats will also allow enough space on-board to add one seating row compared to the airline’s prior standard layout, which it says will help reduce prices.

The airline is putting a positive spin on the change in another way, noting that “the modern cabin experience will offer a bright, airy atmosphere with an upgraded design that features new seats, adjustable headrests and enhanced cushion and back support.”

It says the fixed recline design “helps preserve personal space,” adding: “The interior will also include in-seat power sources, personal phone/tablet holders and reworked lavatories and galleys.”

The airline says that select WestJet Rewards members as well as employees helped select the new seats in January 2023, by testing and sharing their experiences on which options were the most comfortable.

“A complete cabin prototype was tested in late Summer 2025, and feedback was incorporated to help shape rollout, training and preparation for the launch,” the airline added.

Whether regular passengers will agree remains to be seen. Seat-recline politics have long been an issue, with numerous etiquette guides offerings dos and don’ts on the practice.

Things came to a head about 10 years ago with a product called the Knee Defender — plastic clips that prevented the seat in front from reclining. Fights broke out, and airlines banned the use of such devices, on pain of ejection from the aircraft.

Samantha Taylor, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Experience Officer, said: “The cabin has been thoughtfully designed to offer WestJet’s welcoming service at every budget. It reflects our commitment to elevating every aspect of the travel experience and meeting guest demand for a broader range of product offerings.”

National Post has reached out to WestJet for further information.

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