First Class Lite: WestJet to Offer ‘Extended Comfort’ Seating to Economy Class Travellers

A WestJet plane waits at a gate at Calgary International Airport in Calgary on Aug. 31, 2022. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

WestJet has announced an additional option for those who are looking for better seating, but don’t want to pay first-class fares.

“Extended comfort” seating options will be available for economy class travellers booking on WestJet flights beginning April 10. It applies to the airline’s 737 and 787 aircraft.

The seating option offers three to six inches of extra legroom and priority boarding as well as early access to overhead bin storage. Travellers will also have a quicker exit from the plane because they will be seated near the front. They may even qualify for a free alcoholic beverage, according to the WestJet website.

“The addition of Extended Comfort reaffirms WestJet’s commitment to providing a diverse range of products to enable guests to choose what best aligns with their travel preferences and budget,” WestJet Group executive vice-president and chief commercial officer John Weatherill said in a statement.

“Conveniently located at the front of the economy cabin, guests will benefit from an enhanced experience that is aligned with WestJet’s values of affordability and accessibility.”

Travellers will need to select “extended comfort” seating for an additional fee. The cost will vary depending on the flight.

“The fee charged is based on several factors including: origin and destination, fare bundle purchased, date of travel and seat location,” the website said.

It’s available for anyone buying an economy fare, such as basic, econ, and econoflex.

The new seating replaces WestJet’s “preferred seating” status. The airline said anyone who previously purchased preferred seating will still receive the extended experience “at no additional charge.”