WestJet is removing adjustable recline from some of its economy seats as part of a “cabin refresh,” affecting 43 Boeing 737-8 MAX and 737-800 aircraft acquired by the airline.
In a statement to CTV News, WestJet media relations clarified that there’s “not a fee to recline.” The spokesperson explained that the reconfigured planes will include “new standard economy seats (that) are inclusive of a slight recline that cannot be adjusted.”
However, passengers wanting more space or manual recline will need to upgrade to a higher-tier seat. Critics say the change reflects a trend toward airlines charging extra for features that used to be standard. Retail analyst Bruce Winder told CTV, “It seems like over the last 20-to-30 years, what airlines have done is sort of piece out different parts of the flight experience and charge customers for different parts, sort of like an a la carte menu.”
Passengers like Halifax traveller Heather Douglas said the move makes WestJet seem “downright hostile,” while air passenger advocate Gabor Lukacs warned it could raise legal concerns over discrimination against taller passengers.
The first reconfigured aircraft is expected to begin service later this month, with all 43 planes completed by early 2026. If you want a seat that can manually recline, get ready to open your wallet.
Is WestJet gaslighting passengers? While the airline insists there’s “no fee” to recline, the reality is that adjustable recline is now locked behind an upgraded fare—a distinction that, for many travellers, feels like semantics. Hey, at least there’s free Starlink Wi-Fi for WestJet members, right?
Earlier this month, WestJet acknowledged cyberattack from the summer exposed credentials for 1.2 million passengers, including their passports and ID details.
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Westjet, or what i call them now South-WestJet, has been going downhill for the last 2-3 years. It is like a race to the bottom in Canada for airlines. For example, I had a flight in first class and they swaped in a plane that didn't have first class at all and the seats did not recline. That was the last time i will ever fly Westjet in my life. I am sorry to say that now is the time to move to Air Canada, and this is very sad to say that Air Canada is now the best airline in Canada. If Canada needed a lower tier airline, South-Westjet has found it and filled that void. Good luck travelers. I hope to move closer to the US boarder so that i can fly out of a US airport.
Yeah at least with Air Canada the seat pitch is a generous 32 inches usually, with West Jet a whopping 28 inches. 6 Inches is a lot of room when you're in a tin can with hundreds of other people.
Avoid west jet !
This plus their basic carry on bag fees. You heard that, your backpack is now an up-charge by them.
Meh for most of my flights I choose AA or Delta anyways.
I'll stick to Canadian airlines when I fly in Canada personally. But you do you 🐶🤣
Good to know
User experience another reason I choose Porter when I can.
porter was alright when I flew with them. No better than flare, though, and no cheaper, once I paid for everything.
Even less reason to fly Westjet now. Air Canada may fly some Max's but at least they have some reliable Airbus's in their fleet.
It's like Westjet is in a race to the bottom with itself.
It’s no semantics. It’s a fee. That is all.
Reclining? If you are in economy i would hardly call it reclining.