A video that went viral featuring an Alberta family’s cramped seating experience on a recent WestJet flight has sparked discussions about legroom for passengers on Canadian airlines and whether the government should step in. On December 26, 2025, Amanda Schmidt, along with her father Manfred Schmidt and mother, were traveling from Edmonton to Toronto before heading to the Dominican Republic. Opting for ultra-basic economy seats, which were non-reclining, the family found the seating conditions uncomfortably tight.
A TikTok video posted by Amanda depicts her 6’3″ tall and around 220-pound father, Manfred, struggling in his seat. Manfred expressed his discomfort, stating, “I could not get into the seat. I mean, I tried to get my knees in front of me … I’m a little bit taller than normal, maybe, but not a lot.” Concerned about the upcoming four-hour flight, he highlighted the lack of space and the inability to recline or move comfortably.
Although flight attendants later accommodated Manfred in a seat with more legroom, Amanda is advocating for accountability from the airline, labeling their seating experience as “inhumane” and a safety concern. She emphasized the expectation that a purchased seat should safely accommodate a human.
In response, WestJet declined an interview request but explained via email to CBC News that the aircraft in the video was part of their newly reconfigured fleet. The airline mentioned its efforts to make air travel more accessible to Canadians by introducing new products, such as aircraft with adjusted seat pitch to accommodate an extra row, consequently reducing legroom for passengers. Some rows on specific WestJet planes feature a 28-inch pitch.
Acknowledging the feedback on social media, WestJet recognized that the reconfigured seating may not suit everyone and assured that they are attentive to comments. Previously, the company paused plans to install non-reclining seats on additional planes after facing negative reactions.
The union representing WestJet pilots expressed dissatisfaction with the airline’s changes. Captain Jacob Astin, chair of the WestJet Master Executive Council, emphasized the pilots’ commitment to safety standards despite the reduced seat pitch impacting safety margins and guest experience.
According to John Gradek, an aviation expert at McGill University, a 30-inch pitch is standard in the Canadian airline industry, with no federal regulations governing seat spacing. Gradek suggested government intervention to establish customer service expectations regarding legroom on flights. Manfred Schmidt agreed, emphasizing the need for standardized minimum legroom requirements and criticizing seats that restrict movement.
Transport Canada responded to the concerns, stating that any interior modifications affecting aircraft safety are subject to their certification and approval processes. WestJet assured that all modifications adhere to Transport Canada’s stringent airworthiness standards.