WestJet Ditches Controversial Low-Legroom Seats After Passenger Backlash

WestJet has finally removed its 28” legroom seats from its Boeing 737 fleet, bringing an end to the experiment that squeezed some economy passengers into rows with just 28 inches of seat pitch.

The Canadian airline confirmed on August 18 that every aircraft affected by the short-lived high-density seating configuration had now been converted back to a 174-seat layout.

WestJet initially expected the retrofit programme to continue into the autumn, but finished restoring legroom by mid-June, much sooner than anticipated. The revised aircraft have a uniform 30” seat pitch in standard Economy, representing roughly 7% more room for passengers compared with the previous 28” rows.

The airline retained much of the investment made in the new cabins, which include features such as adjustable headrests, device holders, USB charging and WestJet's new Starlink high-speed WiFi service. Premium and Extended Comfort seating remain part of the new cabin design, while WestJet has abandoned trying to squeeze another six passengers onto the aircraft at the cost of passenger experience.