Overview
- In an internal memo obtained by media, WestJet vice-president Robert Antoniuk said the new configuration will proceed on only 22 planes for now, with 21 already modified, as the airline collects feedback from guests and employees.
- WestJet’s September plan targeted 43 Boeing 737s for reconfiguration to add an extra row and introduce tiered seating, including about a dozen premium seats and 36 extended‑comfort seats at higher prices.
- The WestJet contingent of the Canadian Union of Public Employees warned the tighter layout would cut legroom to ultra‑low‑cost carrier levels and complicate travel for people with mobility needs, car seats and pets, while increasing competition for overhead bin space.
- WestJet did not provide immediate public comment in the CBC report, and a separate Calgary Herald report quoted a spokesperson saying work would pause after Dec. 15 for winter operations with plans to resume reconfigurations in the spring.
- The move fits a broader industry shift toward denser cabins and monetized comfort through ancillary fees, drawing criticism that airlines are prioritizing revenue over passenger experience.