MONTREAL--Canada's WestJet abruptly walked back a rollout of tighter economy seating last week after viral videos showed passengers struggling with cramped legroom. The U-turn offered a sharp warning to North American airlines redesigning cabins to favour higher‑paying travellers, often by trimming space and cutting once‑standard perks in the back of the plane.
WestJet had reconfigured part of its Boeing 737 fleet to add premium seating and an extra six seats in economy. To make room, some economy rows were fitted with fixed-back seats that could not recline and the space between one seat and the seat in front, known as the pitch, was reduced from 30 to 28 inches (76 to 71 cm).
While the airline backed away, the episode has become a flashpoint in a broader North American push to chase higher-paying travellers and charge economy passengers extra for things that once came standard. WestJet said its changes were aimed at giving travellers more options at different prices, but critics argued it was another step toward a thinner economy product — less comfort and more fees for basics such as choosing seats.
Independent airline industry analyst Robert Mann said WestJet's case serves as a "cautionary tale to other carriers that there is a limit" to what economy passengers will tolerate.
Executives at Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines have told investors demand is holding up best at the front of the cabin, while demand for the cheapest tickets is more fragile as lower-income earners are pinched by rising costs since the pandemic.
At Delta, increased demand for premium cabins has more than offset softness in the main cabin. The airline said premium-cabin revenue surpassed main-cabin revenue for the first time in the fourth quarter, and expects nearly all near-term seat growth to come from premium cabins.
As airlines add extra-legroom rows, premium economy and expanded first-class cabins, the trade-offs are increasingly borne by price-sensitive travellers: less legroom, fewer inclusions, and more charges for features that used to be part of the ticket. United has expanded its use of Basic Economy, restricting changes, advance seat selection and, on many routes, limiting travellers to a personal item unless they qualify for exemptions. American has also trimmed perks on its cheapest fares.
Even economy‑focused carriers are shifting. Southwest Airlines, long known for open seating, is moving to assigned seats later this month, adding fare bundles and paid extra‑legroom options.Air passenger rights advocate Gabor Lukacs said travellers have learned that economy can end up costing more than the bundled fare once fees are added.
Airline executives say travellers benefit from lower base fares and that the trade-offs help airlines cover rising labour and operating costs. Data from research firm IdeaWorksCompany shows fares fell 3.8% in 2024 from a year earlier, while per-passenger revenue from add-on fees rose 2.5%.
Asked for comment, WestJet referred to a Friday statement from the carrier's CEO, saying the airline "tried seat pitches that are popular with many airlines around the globe as they serve to provide affordable airfares."
European budget carriers such as Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet have long sold seats with 28 or 29 inches separating them from the row in front. Many of those planes fly short-haul routes.
Still, some analysts caution the strategy assumes premium demand will hold up. In past downturns — including the 2008 financial crisis and the early months of the pandemic — that demand fell off quickly. They also note that most seats are still sold to price-sensitive travellers, who may be less willing to accept less legroom and fewer inclusions as the new normal.
