WestJet dropping non-reclinable economy seats after passenger backlash

WestJet Airlines said on Friday it will scrap non-reclinable economy seating on certain Boeing 737 jets, following a slew of complaints and videos on social media showing travelers’ knees pressed up against the seats ahead of them.

The Canadian carrier said in a statement it will return to its prior standard economy seat configuration after reviewing operational data and feedback from travelers.

WestJet’s rollout last year of the reconfigured seats on the planes to make room for more spacious premium seating up front was widely viewed as a test of the limits of add-on culture.

Adjustable economy seats are still available, but passengers must pay extra.

While Onex Corp-backed WestJet paused the rollout of the new configuration last month, the videos of passengers with cramped legs hit social media sites in January.

The space between the row of seats, or pitch, was reduced to 28 inches to allow for an extra row of seating.

“WestJet tried seat pitches that are popular with many airlines around the globe as they serve to provide affordable airfares,” said WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech in a statement. “At the same time, it is just as important to react quickly if they don’t meet the needs of our guests.”

The move also faced pushback from pilots and flight attendants who raised concerns over comfort and safety, including passengers’ ability to safely evacuate the plane in case of emergency from a more confined space.

Alia Hussain, president of the union local representing WestJet cabin personnel, said on Friday she is happy with WestJet’s decision to reverse course.

Flight attendants faced numerous complaints from angry passengers and in some cases had to change the seats of some tall travelers.

“It created a hostile working environment for us as cabin personnel,” she said.