WestJet Reverses Plan to Install Tight Seating After Viral Video Backlash
WestJet cancels 180‑seat layout after TikTok backlash.
WestJet, Canada’s second‑largest airline, announced on Jan 16, 2026 that it will abandon a controversial 180‑seat configuration that squeezed an extra row into many of its aircraft. The redesign, initially planned for 43 Boeing 737s (including 20 more), reduced legroom to a 28‑inch pitch and no reclining. After a TikTok clip drew over 1.1 million views and sparked customer and crew criticism, CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech confirmed the move would be reversed by year‑end. The fleet will return to a 174‑seat layout with 30‑inch economy seats, requiring costly reinstallation of seats, oxygen masks, and in‑seat power wiring. The change follows feedback that cramped cabins hindered safety and eroded brand trust, with union members of 4,600 flight attendants welcoming the rollback.
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