WestJet’s reconfigured planes are perfect – if you’re a toddler, or a glutton for punishment

WestJet is being criticized for a reconfiguration of some of its planes, which gives some seats less legroom and a non-reclining backrest.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

Canadians griping about the new configuration of some WestJet planes, which cram even more seats onto its aircraft by pillaging legroom from its lowest-paying customers, have failed to consider that certain people actually benefit from these layouts.

Okay – maybe “benefit” is the wrong word, since the cost for a seat in these densely packed rows isn’t getting cheaper; instead, passengers will have to pay more to sit in rows that actually accommodate adult-sized humans. But never mind. Many are forgetting that there are Canadians for whom this layout is perfectly well-suited: Namely, above-the-knee amputees, toddlers whose feet don’t reach the end of the seat, and people who hate themselves and seek physical pain to mollify their deep internal unrest.

WestJet staff, passengers raise concerns over cramped seats after video goes viral

This new configuration – which features backrests that do not recline and a meagre 28 inches between seats – was announced back in September, but it didn’t really capture the public’s attention until December, when an Alberta woman posted a video on

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