Get ready to pay more — just to stretch your legs.
Travelers already frustrated by rising ticket prices, shrinking seats, and paying for every peanut on board may want to buckle up again. WestJet, a major Canadian airline, is rolling out a new seating policy that could leave some passengers with cramped knees and lighter wallets.
The airline is upgrading its Boeing 737-8 Max and 737-800 planes to include three distinct cabin classes. That might sound fancy, but it also means something else: extra legroom is becoming a luxury you’ll have to pay for.
The changes, announced by WestJet leadership on September 23, are being spun as a way to give travelers more “choice.” And technically, that’s true. There will be a new premium cabin with 12 seats, complete with reclining backs — a setup that mirrors what you’d see on long-haul flights aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
WestJet unveils new Boeing cabins, charging extra for reclining seats. Economy now features fixed backs to maximize space. https://t.co/kuu5UXffeS
— Y100 Miami (@Y100MIAMI) October 9, 2025
Then there’s the extended comfort section — essentially economy with a little breathing room.
And finally, regular economy. Translation: the seats with the least legroom, where your knees meet the tray table and your personal space vanishes before takeoff.
Samantha Taylor, WestJet’s executive vice president and chief experience officer, praised the move as an effort to meet the “diverse preferences” of travelers. She emphasized that WestJet has always been focused on affordability. But critics aren’t buying it.
Aviation expert John Gradek, from McGill University, didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts. He called the new design a “cash grab,” saying it’s just another way for airlines to charge extra for something that used to be included in your ticket. In other words: less for more.
And this isn’t the only shift passengers are noticing.
WestJet has also raised its baggage fees. Customers flying UltraBasic — yes, that’s a real fare class — will now pay between $50 and $59 for their first checked bag if they prepay. Just last month, that same service ranged from $45 to $54.
If you check your bag using self-serve kiosks, it’ll cost you between $60 and $71. Prefer to check in with a real person at the airport? Be ready to pay up to $83 for that same suitcase.
These price hikes are already affecting travelers flying between the U.S. and Canada. And WestJet isn’t alone. Major airlines across North America are making similar moves — slowly chipping away at what’s included in a “standard” fare.
Southwest Airlines, famously known for its open seating policy, is ending that 53-year tradition in January. Starting January 27, passengers will have to choose between standard, preferred, or extra legroom seating. Yes, even at Southwest — the once low-frills, friendly airline where seat selection felt like a game of musical chairs — legroom now comes at a premium.
American Airlines is also tweaking its cabin layouts, with travelers already spotting surprises on their flights. Fewer seats, tighter rows, new overhead bins — all part of the so-called “refresh.”
And it’s not just about comfort anymore. Several airlines, including Southwest, have suspended some international routes (like those to Cuba) and added new restrictions related to lithium batteries — the kind found in portable chargers and other everyday electronics. The reason? Fire risk.
So what does this all mean for travelers?
In short: more decisions, more fees, and less wiggle room — literally.
Want a little more legroom? That’ll cost you. Want to bring a bag? Get ready to swipe your card. Prefer a seat where your elbows aren’t fighting for airspace? Hope your wallet’s ready.
Smaller seats. Less legroom.
Out of control fees for in-flight meals, checked bags, or even carry-ons.
Charging us $25 to print a boarding pass!
Why does flying suck so much these days?
It has a lot to do with power — and how greed has overtaken our entire economy. pic.twitter.com/qun5WnzBx6
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) May 25, 2024
The sky may still be the limit — but on today’s flights, space and comfort are quickly becoming optional.
