WestJet’s New 737 Cabins: Fixed-Recline Economy, Pay-to-Recline Up Front
ID 263365391 © Tom Samworth | Dreamstime.com
WestJet is rolling out refreshed cabins across select Boeing 737-8 MAX and 737-800 aircraft. The first jets enter service by the end of October, with roughly 40 more following by early next year. The big shift: economy seats no longer recline. If you want a reclining seat, you’ll need to book farther forward.
Three cabins, two recline experiences
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Premium (12 seats): Reclining seats, the most legroom on the aircraft, and the usual front-cabin perks.
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Extended Comfort (select rows ahead of economy): Extra legroom and recline.
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Economy (main cabin): New slimline seats with adjustable headrests and upgraded cushions—but fixed recline to “preserve personal space.”
WestJet says guest testing showed about half of travelers preferred fixed-recline to avoid the dreaded seat-back encroachment. The airline also notes that rows 20–31 in the back have the least space in the new layout.
Which flights are affected
Look for the “refreshed cabin” on Boeing 737-8 MAX and 737-800 schedules. As the retrofit ramps up, mixed interiors will exist across the fleet, so check seat maps when choosing seats: Premium and Extended Comfort rows should be labeled and show larger pitch and recline indicators.
Why WestJet is doing this
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Cabin harmony: Fixed-recline tends to reduce onboard disputes and tray-table laptop crunch.
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Density & costs: Slimline seats and simplified mechanics can cut weight and maintenance, helping keep fares down while adding a paid upsell path to recline.
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Choice & segmentation: Travelers self-select—lowest fares in fixed-recline economy; pay more for space and a tilt-back in Extended Comfort or Premium.
Traveler takeaways
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Hate non-reclining seats? Book Extended Comfort (extra legroom + recline) or Premium (best space, full recline).
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Okay with upright seats? Save money in Economy and aim for forward or exit-adjacent rows when available.
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Seat-map savvy: If you’re tall or working on a laptop, avoiding rows 20–31 may help—WestJet itself flags these as the tightest.
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Manage expectations: The new economy seats are firmer but add headrests and better cushions; they’re designed for posture rather than lounge-back comfort.
Bottom Line
WestJet’s 737 refresh trades economy recline for predictability and a cleaner upsell ladder. If you want your seat to lean back, you’ll now pay for it—either in Extended Comfort or Premium. If you’d rather avoid someone reclining into your space, the new fixed-recline economy could be a relief.
