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WestJet Airlines announced on Friday that the Canadian airline will reverse its decision to redesign flights with hard seats, after videos went viral showing frustrated passengers’ knees squeezing the seat in front of them due to overcrowded areas.
In the redesigned layout, released in late October on select Boeing 737s, the space between rows has been reduced to 28 inches to accommodate an extra row of seats. WestJet also made economy class seats non-reclinable, giving passengers the option to pay extra for adjustable seats.
In a news release, the company said it will eliminate what it calls “overcrowded seats” by removing an extra row of seats.
“Following a review of performance data and feedback from travelers and WestJetters, the airline will return to its previous seating in economy cabins on these newly reconfigured aircraft by removing one row of seats,” the company said.
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Boeing’s WestJet cabin overhaul includes three-seat classes on most planes. (Westjet / Fox News)
The airline added that the company “will begin converting all 180-seat aircraft to 174 seats, with completion dates still to be determined.”
WestJet’s rollout of redesigned seats has sparked outrage among travelers and even crew members.
Reuters reported that pilots and flight attendants expressed concerns about the comfort and safety of the new system, particularly whether passengers could safely exit the plane in an emergency due to the closed seats.
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A WestJet 737 arrives at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, on September 9, 2025. (Mike Campbell/NurPhoto/Getty/Getty Images)
Alia Hussain, president of the local union representing WestJet cabin crew, said on Friday she was pleased with the airline’s decision to reverse the route, Reuters reported. Flight attendants are reported to have had to deal with many complaints from frustrated passengers and, in some cases, had to change seats for pedestrians whose legs did not fit properly inside.
“It created a hostile work environment for us as cabin crew,” Hussain said.
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A WestJet 737 MAX 8 and two Boeing 737-700s, pictured at Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on August 6, 2025. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Getty Images)
While the reclining seats were intended to help passengers save space while maintaining more cost-effective travel options, WestJet said it recognizes the need to “align product decisions with guest needs.”
“WestJet has pioneered accommodations that are popular with many airlines around the world as they offer low-cost flights,” said WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech. “As a business airline founded on making air travel accessible to Canadians, it’s in our DNA to try new products. At the same time, it’s critical to react quickly if they don’t meet our guests’ needs.”
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The airline said plans for the overhaul were put on hold in December and the company is speeding up its inspection of the new interior structure.
FOX Business has reached out to WestJet for more information.
Reuters contributed to this report.
