A WestJet plane takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Vancouver on Monday, May 13, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
WestJet says it will remove a row of seats and return to its previous standard seat pitch on a limited portion of its fleet after backlash over reduced legroom.
The Calgary-based airline announced Friday it will reverse the densified seating configuration on recently modified aircraft following a review of operational data and feedback from passengers and employees. The change will restore economy cabins from 180-seat layouts back to 174 seats.
WestJet had introduced the tighter seat pitch as part of efforts to keep fares affordable, a model the airline says has defined its low-cost approach for decades. However, the company paused further reconfigurations in December and accelerated its review after receiving negative feedback.
“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 release.
“As an entrepreneurial airline founded on making air travel affordable to Canadians it’s in our DNA to try new products. At the same time, it is just as important to react quickly if they don’t meet the needs of our guests.”
Videos on social media had gone viral recently showing travellers crammed into the newly-configured seats, with many having their knees touching the back of the seat in front of them.
WestJet says aircraft will be converted back once engineering certification is completed, with timelines still being finalized. The airline says it will continue evaluating other elements of the new cabin layout while moving ahead with broader interior upgrades, including refreshed designs and enhanced amenities.
