WestJet passenger shows just how little leg room there is in updated cabins
A Canadian flyer has put WestJet on blast, sharing a video that shows just how little leg room there is in the carrier’s updated cabins.
Alberta resident Amanda Rae posted the video on TikTok on Dec. 27, and it has since gone viral, amassing 1.1 million views.
“[WestJet] do better. My poor dad. The seats should at least fit normal-sized humans. Shout out to Yamy, who was THE BEST flight attendant and did everything she could to make the flight more comfortable ♥️,” reads the caption.
The TikTok video shows Rae’s parents looking visibly uncomfortable and cramped in their seats. She asks her dad if he can straighten out his legs, and he says, “Impossible to straighten up my knees to the front.”
She asks her mom the same question, to which she replies, “Yeah, well, I’m going to be sharing my leg space with him.”
“New planes. Yeah, you have to pay for the other leg,” Rae says in the video, suggesting that the aircraft was part of the cabin upgrades the carrier unveiled last year.
@amanda_rae.13 @WestJet ♬ original sound – amanda_rae.13
In an email statement to Daily Hive on Monday, WestJet spokesperson Julia Kaiser confirmed that the plane in the video is one of the newly reconfigured aircraft.
“WestJet pioneered making air travel available to more Canadians, through our ability to keep costs low and to offer affordable airfares – to continue to do so, we need to try new products,” she said.
Last September, the carrier announced that it was upgrading the cabins of its Boeing 737-8 MAX and 737-800 aircraft, aiming to provide travellers with various seating options at different price points on flights.
Part of this revamp included new economy seats with adjustable headrests and enhanced cushion and back support with a fixed recline design that “helps preserve personal space.” This means that passengers who choose the economy class price point won’t be able to move their seats further back. Essentially, customers who want fully reclining seats will have to pay extra.
After months of negative feedback from customers, the carrier announced in December that it would pause the upgrades. The spokesperson stated that the reason for the pause is to “ensure our aircraft are available to support our operations during the peak winter travel season.”
According to the airline’s site, it has 55 aircraft in the fleet, with 43 planned for the redesign. Kaiser told Daily Hive that at this time, 21 aircraft have been reconfigured with the cabin update.
WestJet/YouTube
Rae did not specify what fare they paid for their seats, but many online are speculating that she must have paid the basic fare.
According to WestJet’s initial announcement about cabin upgrades, customers can choose from three types of standard seating in economy. The back of the cabin will offer less space (rows 20 to 31), while the middle will offer a bit more space (rows 15 to 19). Seats closer to the front of the cabin will have the most space (rows 10 to 12).
The airline’s site shows that the standard economy seat pitch — which is the distance from the back of each seat to the back of the seat behind it, and usually equates to more legroom — is 30 inches for rows 10 to 12; 29 inches for rows 15 to 19; and 28 inches for rows 20 to 31 in the updated cabins (737-8 MAX layout three).
Layout one has 30 inches, and layout two is between 29 and 30 inches for standard economy seats.
“These aircraft accommodate an extra row by varying seat pitch between 38 and 28 inches. These pitches are in line with what you’ll find across North American airlines,” stated Kaiser.
“Stop flying WestJet”
Pascal Huot / Shutterstock
Rae’s video has been reshared online, with thousands of Canadians reacting in frustration.
“We went to Cancun, and this was literally what our WestJet leg space was! I’m 5’5 and barely fit my poor 6’4 fiancĂ© could hardly fit and couldn’t sit properly the entire flight,” one person commented under Rae’s TikTok.
Many people shared their concerns about what to do in tight quarters for emergency landings.
“How are you supposed to put your head between your legs for emergency landings?” reads another comment.
“You’d be f**ked in an unexpected rough or emergency landing,” added another on Reddit.
In response to these concerns, Kaiser said that the reconfigured aircraft “underwent an extensive safety and certification process,” with all modifications completed in accordance with Transport Canada’s standards.
Other flyers are recommending travellers avoid booking flights that specify an aircraft with 183 or “cabin transformation.”
“Best thing we can all do is to write in and express your disapproval/discontent, and hopefully they will walk these changes back at some point,” reads a comment on Reddit.
While others are telling people to “stop flying WestJet” altogether.
Kaiser said the airline is closely monitoring guest and employee feedback to assess the updated cabins’ performance, comfort and suitability.
Have you had an uncomfortable experience in the updated WestJet cabins? Share your story with us at trending@dailyhive.com.