A recently viral video featuring an Alberta family's experience on a WestJet flight has ignited discussions surrounding passenger legroom aboard Canadian airlines. This situation raises a significant question: should the federal government take action to regulate such issues?
On December 26, 2025, Amanda Schmidt, along with her parents, Manfred and his wife, boarded a WestJet flight from Edmonton bound for Toronto, with plans to continue to the Dominican Republic. They opted for ultra-basic economy seats that unfortunately did not recline, leading to a rather uncomfortable seating arrangement.
In the TikTok video shared by Amanda, her father, Manfred, who stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 220 pounds, is visibly struggling to fit into his seat. "I could hardly get in; my knees were practically blocking my way," he explained. "Sure, I may be taller than average, but not excessively so.
"As we faced a four-hour journey, I found myself worrying about the lack of space. You can't recline your seat, there's no room to move at all; it's like being packed in there like sardines!" Fortunately, flight attendants later permitted him to switch to a seat with more legroom, but Amanda feels this incident highlights a deeper issue—accountability from the airline.
"It’s essentially inhumane to expect people to travel in such cramped conditions, and it poses health and safety risks as well," she stated. "When you purchase a seat intended for human use, you should be able to anticipate that it will accommodate you safely."
WestJet's Response
Despite declining an interview request, WestJet communicated via email to CBC News, clarifying that the aircraft shown in the video is one of their newly reconfigured models. The airline aims to enhance air travel accessibility for more Canadians by experimenting with different configurations, which sometimes includes reducing seat pitch—the space between the back of one seat and the back of the seat in front of it—resulting in diminished legroom for passengers. For some rows on specific aircraft, the seat pitch has been reduced to just 28 inches (around 71 centimeters).
Subsequently, WestJet acknowledged on social media that this new seating arrangement may not suit everyone and assured the public they are attentive to feedback. Following a wave of negative reactions, the airline decided to halt its plans to install non-reclining seats on additional planes.
Pilots’ Union Concerns
The pilots’ union representing WestJet staff has expressed dissatisfaction with the changes already implemented. Captain Jacob Astin, chair of the WestJet Master Executive Council, which represents all pilots at the airline, emphasized their dedication to maintaining top-notch safety standards.
"While the 28-inch seat pitch modifications on many seats across 22 of our nearly 200-plane fleet comply with Transport Canada regulations, pilots believe it compromises the superior safety margins previously available due to cramped conditions. Complying with legal standards does not always guarantee the best outcomes," Astin asserted in a statement.
He further noted that successful airlines worldwide understand that providing travelers with a safe and comfortable flying experience is essential, and they worry that these recent changes could undermine customer satisfaction and diminish the airline's brand value.
Lack of Regulation for Legroom
According to John Gradek, an aviation expert at McGill University, the standard seat pitch in the Canadian airline industry typically measures around 30 inches (approximately 76 centimeters). Although reduced legroom is a common practice in European airlines, it remains relatively rare in Canada.
Moreover, Gradek pointed out the absence of federal regulations concerning seat spacing, stating, "There is no oversight or governance regarding how airlines determine the distance between seats or the amount of space passengers are entitled to." He argues that the federal government should step in to establish guidelines that set minimum customer service expectations for airline tickets.
Manfred Schmidt, the passenger featured in the viral TikTok video, concurs with Gradek's opinion that there should be uniform standards for legroom on planes. "I believe the aviation authority should have some influence in establishing minimum requirements that reflect our demographic and cultural needs," he stated. "I don't think there should be seats where movement is impossible."
CBC News reached out to Transport Canada to inquire whether the department is contemplating the idea of legroom as a passenger right, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
This incident raises an important conversation about the standards we expect when flying. Should airlines be held accountable for providing adequate legroom? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
