A video that went viral recently depicted an Alberta family facing a tight situation during a WestJet flight, sparking discussions about legroom for passengers on Canadian airlines and the potential need for government intervention. On December 26, 2025, Amanda Schmidt, along with her parents, Manfred and Amanda Schmidt, were travelling from Edmonton to Toronto on a WestJet flight en route to the Dominican Republic. Opting for ultra-basic economy seats, which lacked the ability to recline, the family found themselves in a cramped seating arrangement.
A TikTok video shared by Amanda displayed her father, Manfred, a 6’3″ tall individual weighing around 220 pounds, struggling to find comfort in his seat. Manfred expressed his difficulty in fitting into the seat due to his height and size, emphasizing the discomfort of the situation during the four-hour flight. Although flight attendants eventually accommodated him in a seat with more legroom, Amanda emphasized the need for accountability from the airline, labeling the experience as inhumane and a matter of health and safety concern.
WestJet responded to the incident, stating that the aircraft shown in the video was part of their newly reconfigured fleet. The airline explained that they are exploring new products to make air travel more accessible to Canadians, including modifications that allow for an extra row by adjusting seat pitch, consequently reducing legroom for passengers. While some WestJet aircraft feature a 28-inch pitch in certain rows, the company acknowledged on social media that the reconfigured seating may not be suitable for everyone and assured that they are attentive to feedback.
The union representing WestJet pilots expressed discontent with the airline’s seating changes. Captain Jacob Astin, chair of the WestJet Master Executive Council, emphasized the pilots’ commitment to safety standards and raised concerns about the compromised safety margins due to reduced legroom. Despite the Transport Canada-approved 28-inch seat pitch on numerous aircraft, pilots believe that the reconfiguration diminishes the overall guest experience and undermines the brand’s value.
Aviation expert John Gradek from McGill University highlighted that a 30-inch pitch is typical in the Canadian airline industry, with no federal regulations governing legroom. Gradek advocated for government intervention to establish customer service expectations in airline ticket standards. Manfred Schmidt, the passenger featured in the viral video, echoed the sentiment, calling for standardized minimum legroom requirements and emphasizing the need for reasonable mobility within aircraft seating.
Transport Canada responded by stating that interior reconfigurations impacting safety aspects are subject to stringent certification and approval processes. WestJet assured that all modifications adhered to Transport Canada’s rigorous airworthiness standards.