US EditionWestJet Execs Tried Cramped Seats on Flight Weeks Before Viral Video Sparked Backlash
WestJet cut economy seat pitch to 28 inches in 21 Boeing 737 jets to add an extra row and more fare tiers, sparking complaints and viral social media attention.
- On Jan. 9, 2026, WestJet announced it would reconfigure seating on 43 Boeing 737 jets to add an extra row, with 1,100,000 views on a viral TikTok highlighting passenger concerns.
- A TikTok by an Alberta woman showing her parents squeezed into economy seats has more than 1.1 million views and began with a Dec. 27 post where her father said he could not straighten his knees.
- A dozen of the 22 economy rows now have 28-inch seat pitch, smaller than the 29- or 30-inch pitches on most other carriers' lower-tier seats.
- Staff and passengers raised safety and comfort concerns after the video, and Alia Hussain, chair of the union's WestJet contingent, warned it may aggravate passengers already frustrated by flying.
- Adding an extra row will change cabin layouts across the fleet, affecting dozens of aircraft and potentially reducing passenger comfort as more planes adopt the tighter setup.
19 Articles
19 Articles
WestJet execs tried cramped seats on flight weeks before viral video sparked backlash
The online backlash and union response underscore questions of safety and comfort on WestJet narrow-body planes that can accommodate lower fares and more passengers — 180 — but potentially at the cost of traveller experience.
WestJet Says Its Monitoring Feedback After Passenger Video of New Economy Seats Goes Viral
A viral video of WestJet’s new economy-style seating has some passengers concerned about comfort and safety, while the company says the changes are “in line” with other North American airlines. WestJet announced last September plans to upgrade its aircraft by replacing its traditional economy class reclining seats with fixed-back designs. The company said at the time the change would offer a new range of seating options for its Boeing 737-8 MAX …
A viral video showing the lack of leg space in WestJet aircraft raises concerns about the safety and comfort of personnel and passengers.
Winnipeg Free Press
Cramped WestJet seats prompt backlash over safety, comfort after video goes viral
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
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