Have you ever thought about traveling on a plane with your seat at a 90º angle the entire time? Canadian airline WestJet announced on Tuesday (14) that it will start charging an additional amount to passengers who want to recline their seat on its refurbished planes.
The company, which operates in Canada, the United States and other international destinations, has decided to eliminate the ability to recline traditional economy class seats on its Boeing 737-8 MAX and 737-800 aircraft.
In total, there will be 43 planes with the new layout. The first of them is expected to come into operation later this month, while the rest should be completed early next year, according to WestJet.
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The company reported that the fixed backrest is part of a new design created to increase the feeling of personal space. WestJet also stated that half of the passengers who tested the new configuration prefer it, precisely because it prevents other travelers from reclining the seat towards them.
Reclining seats are still available, but are now exclusively in Premium cabins and Extended Comfort seats. These options continue within the economy class; Before, all seats were “economy,” and now there are more options.
According to the company, the new Premium seats will have four-way adjustable headrests, reclining backrests and ergonomic cushions, inspired by the design of the 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
While standard economy passengers won’t be able to recline their seats, they will have “adjustable headrests, cushions and enhanced backrests,” as well as individual power outlets and cell phone or tablet holders.
Onboard bathrooms and kitchens are also being modernized. There will be an update to the Wi-Fi system, which will now be free for members of the WestJet Rewards program.
“The new cabin configuration was developed to meet the different preferences of our customers,” said Samantha Taylor, the company’s executive vice president and chief experience officer, to USA Today. “We want to offer options both for those who prioritize comfort and space and for those looking for more economical rates.”
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WestJet also highlighted that the new design reduces the cost per seat, as the ultra-thin model allows for an extra row to be included compared to the previous layout.
“Our goal has always been to make air travel more accessible for Canadians,” the company said in a statement. “Maintaining low prices requires testing new solutions and observing how they are received by the public.”
