"WestJet has always been a pioneer in making air travel available to Canadians, largely through keeping costs low to offer affordable airfare," said Samantha Taylor, WestJet's Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer. "The layout for our refreshed cabin caters to our guests' diverse preferences. Whether they opt for Premium seating with extra amenities and legroom or for more affordable ticket prices with less space, we're excited to introduce this range of products for our guests to enjoy."

From a business perspective, the strategy is clear: create scarcity around a previously standard feature, then charge passengers who want it. With only 12 Premium seats per aircraft, WestJet is betting that demand will exceed supply on most flights, allowing the airline to command premium pricing for what amounts to a basic reclining seat.

Aviation industry observers aren't buying WestJet's spin about passenger preferences.

"This is a cash grab by WestJet, pure and simple. These efforts are there to maximize revenue for the airline," said John Gradek, a faculty lecturer in supply networks and aviation management at McGill University. "This is a continuing evolution of ways for airlines to add charges to their fees and basically cut back what you would normally expect to be included in your ticket."

Gradek noted that this represents the latest in a long list of airline services that used to be free and now cost extra, following checked baggage, hot meals, and seat selection.

"That's the way things are going. I think the airlines are trying to maximize the revenue per passenger, per flight, and they're trying to cram as many people as they possibly can into an aircraft," Gradek told CBC Radio.

He questioned how far airlines can push these unbundling strategies before passengers revolt: "Canadians are used to this tactic. The question is going to be... how far do you go? And at what point do we say uncle?"

The critical question is whether WestJet's bet on monetizing recline will pay off, or if passengers will simply refuse to fly the airline on these reconfigured aircraft.

Passenger reactions have been decidedly mixed, with strong opinions on both sides:

The Critics: Many travelers view the policy as exploitative. Calgary resident Kyle Kuchma, a regular recliner, called it "kind of gouging" and said "I don't think it's really fair." Social media reactions were even harsher, with passengers threatening to boycott WestJet entirely.

"Instead of targeting the airline for squeezing us like sardines to fit more seats, we fight among each other over reclining seats, which has been a feature in economy for decades," one passenger wrote online.

Another declared: "Then I won't be flying WestJet! Next thing they will have us all standing up holding onto a strap from the ceiling!"

The Supporters: Some travelers who dislike sitting behind reclining passengers actually welcomed the change. Albert McFadyen said it makes sense to pay more to get more: "Any time you can improve your comfort on any plane, it's well worth your while. Why wouldn't I pay for that?"

Others noted that at least the people who insist on reclining would be segregated into a different cabin section, sparing economy passengers from seat encroachment.

The Pragmatists: Passenger rights advocate Gábor Lukács said he doesn't have a problem with airlines charging more for more comfortable seats. "As a consumer, I may perhaps like to recline. At the same time, my concern is primarily about passenger rights, not passenger comfort."

WestJet isn't the first airline to eliminate reclining seats in economy. Ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit and Allegiant in the United States have used fixed-recline seats for years as part of their no-frills business model.

However, WestJet's approach differs in a crucial way: those budget carriers provide the same fixed seats for all economy passengers. WestJet is creating a tiered system within the same cabin, where only those who pay can recline, turning a formerly universal feature into a premium amenity.

The move puts pressure on Air Canada, WestJet's main competitor, which currently still offers reclining seats in economy at no extra charge. If WestJet's strategy proves financially successful, other carriers may follow suit.

WestJet's plan to charge for reclining seats represents an aggressive test of how much unbundling passengers will tolerate before choosing competitors or simply avoiding certain aircraft types.

The airline is making several assumptions:

Some of these assumptions may prove correct. Business travelers with expense accounts and families willing to splurge for comfort will likely book the Premium and Extended Comfort sections. The scarcity of only 12 fully-featured seats per plane creates urgency and could command premium pricing.

However, WestJet is also gambling that leisure travelers, the backbone of Canadian domestic aviation, won't simply choose Air Canada when both airlines offer similar schedules. With only 43 aircraft affected (less than a third of the narrow-body fleet), passengers may start checking aircraft type before booking, actively avoiding the reconfigured planes.

WestJet to Charge Extra for Reclining Seats: Revenue Strategy or Passenger Revolt?