Remember just a bit less than a month ago when I was all salty about reclining seats in airplanes? I remember it. Boy was I worked up! I even went so far as to say reclining your seat was ethically wrong! Man, I sure seem to like the drama, huh? Maybe, but you know what? I stand by what I said: there is something wrong about reclining your seat on an airplane, because you are actually taking space from someone else. If you ask, and they’re cool, then that’s okay, because the space is given. But to just do it? That’s a dick move. Well, I’d like to say that it seems like a major airline agrees with me, because they have eliminated reclining seats in their Economy class.
I could pretend this was done because they have similar altruistic ethical concerns about the practice, but let’s be honest here, they’re doing it to make money by allowing it on more expensive seats. The airline, Canadian budget carrier Westjet, is just as avaricious as any of them, I know that, but part of me is still willing to see this as a mild sort of victory.
WestJet’s press release about this buries it in a larger release about a “major cabin reconfiguration” and refers to the non-reclining seats euphemistically as a “fixed recline design”:
The modern cabin experience will offer a bright, airy atmosphere with an upgraded design that features new seats, adjustable headrests and enhanced cushion and back support with a fixed recline design in Economy that helps preserve personal space. The interior will also include in-seat power sources, personal phone/tablet holders and reworked lavatories and galleys.
They do note that the “fixed” design “helps preserve personal space,” and I agree with them there. Really, were I in charge of WestJet – an opportunity that has so far eluded me, likely because of either some sort of unfair prejudices about my hair or my nearly complete and total lack of experience or aptitude for the job (probably the former reason) – I would have really leaned into this as a bold ethical choice made for the betterment of humanity as a whole. I possibly would have even arranged to give myself a medal from some sham humanitarian aid charity, if possible. See, I’d be a great CEO of WestJet!
The image provided in the press release is a render of the inside of an airplane with some pretty thin-looking seats. though they don’t seem all that much worse than the other major budget carrier’s seats. The seats have USB charging ports, but no screens, with that area taken up by a holder for safety cards and one of those airline magazines that only appeal to readers currently incarcerated in some sort of solitary confinement and without anything else at all to read. I suspect that people in that situation might read an airline magazine, if a Dr.Bronner’s soap wrapper was unavailable.
WestJet also released a video that, interestingly, does show reclining seats in their upgraded seating area:
This video is so weirdly unappealing; maybe it’s just the sterility of it all?
I’m sure there will be people who will decry the choice to eliminate reclining seats as just another way airlines are screwing us over, and while I don’t doubt that’s essentially true, I prefer to think of it as an airline removing the option for you to get screwed over by your fellow passengers. I guess the airlines want to keep that privilege for themselves.
I RECLINE MY SEAT! There,I said it,so what. I only recline a little bit,not like all the way back into whoever is behind me. I don’t mind it if there’s no option to recline though,if the seat is not too badly designed. I have not been in one yet though.
Rat is right there with Jason.
https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2025/10/09
I flew on C.L. Werner’s private jet once(a couple drivers and I were assigned new trucks at a different terminal and the jet happened to be headed that way). After that, there is no way I will be subjected to the torture known as commercial flight.
As someone who often flies on WestJet, I’m just impressed that they found a way to make their seats worse.
These are also lighter, so saving weight as well.
If I were trying to rake in the dough, I would put coin slots in the armrest. $.25 allows you to recline for 10 minutes or you could get a whole hour for $1! Also, I would read an airplane magazine of they still existed, I miss those things! That gives me an idea: coin slot in the seat back. $.25 and you can read for 10 minutes, or get a whole hour for $1! Maybe I should be CEO of WestJet?
Maybe some airline will come up with the solution of selling tickets such that one side of the aisle is the “we want to recline” side and the other side is “no reclining ever” side. I’m sure logistically it probably wouldn’t work from what one hears of air traveler shenanigans these days, but it’s a mildly amusing thought.
Myself, even though I’m not tall, I like to recline a scooch, like an inch or two, to make my back hurt less. Seems not terribly obnoxious. Also seems like the above featured seats might be equivalent to such a modest recline.
But really, how much money would airlines lose if they made the flight a bit more comfortable in economy, maybe more people would fly so it wouldn’t be a net loss?
Yet another reason I will not be flying WestJet.
I do not usually recline when traveling domestic as I hate being “that guy”. With that being said, it would be soooo much better just maybe removing a few actual seats and still letting people recline. I do hate the sardine can flight experience.
Removing a few seats adds cost to every seat on the plane. Instead airlines allow people that value extra legroom – to buy extra legroom for a small price.
Tell us you don’t take long-haul flights without telling us you don’t take long-haul flights.
Frontrunner for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
From all of us with back problems that like to sleep on Atlantic flights. Both you and this airline are scum. Nice rage-bait article though.
WestJet is a US discount airline that has zero flights crossing either the Atlantic or the Pacific.
I’m not taking their space. It’s my space and when I have my seat forward I’m letting them use it. Ungrateful assholes.
I’d buy a share of WestJet (if it’s publicly traded) just so I could vote the way you want on any issues that make it to the proletariat. Just keep it in mind in case you do get to be CEO Jason.
The humanitarian thing that would get my loyalty is if airlines had different spacing in their rows for people over 6 feet tall, without having to pay through the nose for premium seats. Assign seats by height. There, I said it.