Transport Canada received a safety hazard report regarding WestJet's reconfigured seating arrangement weeks before a viral video showcased the discomfort and potential risks associated with the reduced legroom. The five-page report, penned by a Calgary-based WestJet flight attendant, detailed an incident on a flight from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to Calgary in late November 2025. The report was obtained by CBC News through an Access to Information request.
The flight attendant described a situation where a passenger, characterized as tall and of large build, became physically trapped in his seat due to the limited legroom. The passenger's knees and upper body extended significantly into the row ahead, and he was unable to stand or exit the row independently. The report called for a "prompt review" of the seating configuration, citing an "imminent safety risk".
The reconfigured planes aimed to squeeze an extra row on board, leading to reduced legroom for some passengers. Following the viral video and widespread consumer backlash, WestJet announced in January it would reverse course on the seating layout. Concerns were raised that the denser seating could slow emergency evacuations, with some cabin crew members reportedly voicing their worries to Transport Canada.
Transport Canada maintains that the seating configuration met federal safety standards, requiring manufacturers to demonstrate that a full evacuation can occur within 90 seconds under simulated emergency conditions. However, critics question how this assessment was conducted, particularly regarding whether it accounted for passengers of various body types.
