WestJet adds fixed-recline seats in economy cabins

Published on Oct 16, 2025, 4:27 pm CDT

3 min read

Key points

Fixed-recline economy seats debut on retrofitted 737s.
Recline remains in Premium and Extended Comfort rows.
First of 43 refreshed aircraft enters service in October 2025.
Extended Comfort totals 36 seats with extra legroom and power.
Premium adds 12 recliners modeled on WestJet's 787 seats.

Impact

Who: economy travelers on WestJet Boeing 737 routes
When: Beginning October 2025, completing into early 2026
Level: Moderate
Action: Choose Extended Comfort or Premium for recline, or plan for fixed-recline seats

WestJet will begin phasing out recline in most economy rows on its Boeing 737-800 and 737-8 aircraft, shifting to a fixed-recline design that the airline says preserves personal space. Reclining seats will remain available only in the paid Extended Comfort section and in Premium. The first of 43 refreshed aircraft is scheduled to enter service in October 2025, with additional planes joining the fleet through early 2026. For travelers, the change redefines what a standard economy seat includes and puts a price on the ability to lean back.

WestJet cabin reconfiguration

The reconfiguration brings a consistent interior to formerly all-economy jets, adding 12 Premium recliners and a total of 36 Extended Comfort seats at the front of the economy cabin. WestJet's Premium chairs are the same model used on the airline's 787-9 Dreamliner, with contoured cushions, adjustable headrests, and full recline. Extended Comfort keeps adjustable recline and adds extra legroom, early access to overhead bins, in-seat power, and device holders. Standard economy adopts fixed recline, along with redesigned cushions, sculpted armrests, and USB-A and USB-C power at every seat.

Latest developments

WestJet said the first refreshed aircraft would begin flying in October 2025, with 42 additional 737-800 and 737-8 jets completing the retrofit into early 2026. Media briefings and third-party reports this month reiterated that recline will be reserved for Premium and Extended Comfort while standard economy remains fixed-recline across the reconfigured 737s.

Analysis

For price-sensitive travelers, the fixed-recline economy seat may reduce seat-back conflicts while keeping fares competitive, but it also shifts comfort choices into paid tiers. If you value recline on long flights or red-eyes, plan to select Extended Comfort or upgrade to Premium during booking rather than waiting until check-in, when availability will tighten. Families and tall travelers should weigh Extended Comfort for both legroom and adjustable recline, especially on flights longer than three hours. Standard economy will still offer power and device holders, so personal entertainment remains viable, but sleep comfort will be limited by the locked seatback.

Final thoughts

WestJet's move to fixed-recline economy seats formalizes a trade-off between price and personal space. The airline is betting that many travelers prefer a seatback that never moves behind them, while those who want to lean back will pay for Extended Comfort or Premium. As the rollout accelerates, always check the seat map, because the only way to avoid fixed-recline on these 737s will be to book into the sections that still recline. That is the new reality of WestJet fixed-recline economy seats.