You're Now Going To Be Charged More For A Reclining Seat On This Popular North American Airline

Natasha Decker

October 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM

Canada's WestJet announced that its flyers will now have to pay an upcharge if they want a reclining seat on their next flight. To be more competitive with other carriers, WestJet is soon rolling out premium seating on its fleet of Boeing 737-8 MAX and 737-800 planes.

The airline says its "modern cabin experience" will feature an "upgraded design" that matches its 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. There will be 12 reclining seats with a large headrest, "ergonomically contoured seat cushions," and "four-way adjustment capability." Additionally, behind the plane's premium section, an expanded area of 36 seats will offer "extended comfort." The latter will be separated from the economy section "by a cabin divider" and provide more legroom. The economy area will be the most affordable place to fly, but travelers in that cabin won't have extra legroom or the ability to recline and relax.

WestJet separately noted that, "The first of 43 planned aircraft with the new cabin will welcome guests in October 2025."

What Else Is There To Know About WestJet's Cabin Changes?

WestJet is a low-cost Canadian airline that began service in 1996. With its fleet of around 200 aircraft, the carrier flies to over 100 destinations in North America, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, and Asia.

Ahead of the switch, WestJet's aircraft were previously all-economy seating for passengers. The airline's reward members and employees had the opportunity to provide input on the new seating back in January 2023. Then, during Summer 2025, the airline says it tested and analyzed a prototype of the refreshed cabin.

"The cabin has been thoughtfully designed to offer WestJet's welcoming service at every budget," said WestJet's Executive Vice-President and Chief Experience Officer, Samantha Taylor. "It reflects our commitment to elevating every aspect of the travel experience and meeting guest demand for a broader range of product offerings."

"WestJet has always been a pioneer in making air travel available to Canadians, largely through keeping costs low to offer affordable airfares," added Taylor. "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."

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