Have you ever been on a flight and been constantly disturbed by someone in front of you constantly reclining? Well, a Canadian airline is looking to change that… sort of.
Canadian airline WestJet announced that passengers will no longer be able to recline seats unless they upgrade, claiming the decision will “preserve personal space.”
In a press release, the company revealed a major cabin reconfiguration with an “upgraded design that features new seats, adjustable headrests and enhanced cushion and back support with a fixed recline design.”
In other words, as WestJet explained to Global News, ‘fixed recline’ just means a seat that cannot be adjusted.
The airline says this will help “preserve personal space” in economy, and they’re also adding an extra row, claiming it will reduce the cost per seat.
An artist rendering of what the new seats will look like.
However, for anyone looking for more room, they’ll need to pay up – something that has sparked backlash from would-be travelers.
Airline paywalls reclining seats
According to WestJet, customers who upgrade to ‘Extended Comfort’ or ‘Premium’ will have seats where the recline can be adjusted.
John Gradek, a faculty lecturer in supply networks and aviation management at McGill University, called the decision a “cash grab” designed to “maximize revenue.”
Across social media, opinions varied, though most condemned the decision, believing it would turn traveling into a flight from hell.
“WestJet coming up with new ways to make flying suck worse – all so they can make more money,” one slammed.
“After being stranded for many days by WestJet on two separate occasions, and zero compensation, I have officially cancelled my WestJet MasterCard!” blasted another. “I invite everyone else to do the same before the new higher card fees come into effect. Oh, and seats that don’t recline.”
Not everyone was opposed to the changes, though. Some feel like the lack of reclining opinions will be beneficial.
“We pay for a certain amount of space and I usually have the seat in front smashed into my knees,” a customer remarked, calling the change “good.”
Hot take: Westjet is getting rid of reclining seats in economy on short hauls I hear? Good. We pay for a certain amount of space and I usually have the seat in front smashed into my knees. Feel free to join them @AirCanada.
— Jeffrey Luscombe (@JeffreyLuscombe) September 27, 2025
“Non reclining seats in economy on short flights? Hell ya! There’s simply not enough personal space or leg room, and I’m only 5’7. I approve,” praised another.
WestJet isn’t the only airline spicing things up. In September, Delta announced that it was giving flyers YouTube Premium as in-flight entertainment, letting passengers watch MrBeast videos while munching on Shake Shack.
