Air Canada to add legroom in some premium and preferred seats, but travellers will pay more
Air Canada will reconfigure certain aircraft to create larger-pitch premium and preferred seats. The change follows scrutiny of cramped layouts at other carriers, and preferred seats carry an extra fee.
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By Torontoer Staff
Air Canada says it will reconfigure some aircraft to add legroom in premium and preferred seats, a move the carrier is pitching as a response to steady demand for larger-pitch seating. The airline did not specify which aircraft will be affected, or when the work will take place.
Air Canada’s announcement follows a Reddit post that flagged changes to the forward cabin on certain Boeing 777-300ER jets, and it comes amid wider debate over seat pitch and passenger comfort across Canadian carriers.
What Air Canada says it will change
An Air Canada spokesperson wrote that demand for premium travel remains steady, and the airline is reconfiguring certain aircraft to create additional premium and preferred seats with larger pitch, without affecting other economy customers. The airline did not identify which planes will be reworked, or give a timeline for the changes.
Preferred seats are economy-class seats with extra legroom and additional perks, available for an extra fee. The seats are complimentary for Aeroplan Elite Members, and for travellers who purchase Latitude or Comfort fares, Air Canada confirms.
What the Reddit post revealed
A Reddit user reported that a forward cabin on some 777-300ER flights would be sold as preferred seating starting in May, and that a row of ten seats was missing from the economy section in forthcoming configurations. A maintenance alert shared in the post’s comments, and attributed by the poster to an Air Canada maintenance engineer, said pitch in the reconfigured forward cabin would increase from 31 inches to 34 inches.
The same alert noted the last row of the forward cabin would have its recline limited to 1.5 inches, compared with the standard five inches of recline in economy. Air Canada’s standard economy pitch on 777-300ER aircraft is 31 inches.
As we have mentioned on the past several quarterly results calls, and has been reported across the industry, demand for premium travel is steady. To accommodate this customer preference, we are reconfiguring certain aircraft to create additional premium and preferred seats with larger pitch, without affecting other economy customers.
Air Canada spokesperson
Context: seat layouts and recent controversy
The move comes after scrutiny of seat configurations at WestJet. Last year, WestJet reconfigured 21 narrow-body aircraft to add an extra row, reducing pitch on most economy seats from 30 inches to 28 inches and adopting a fixed recline design, which prevents seats from tilting back.
The WestJet changes prompted criticism from aviation experts, employees, and passengers, with concerns cited about comfort on longer flights and potential safety and accessibility implications for taller travellers.
The seating configuration would present challenges given the limited comfort and mobility, outside of longer flights the configuration was generally acceptable.
WestJet executives, quoted in a union bulletin
What this means for travellers
- More legroom in premium and preferred seats on certain aircraft, if the reconfiguration is implemented as reported.
- Preferred seating will continue to carry an extra fee for most passengers, though Aeroplan Elite Members and Latitude or Comfort fare holders get it free.
- Some reconfigured forward-cabin seats may have reduced recline, which could affect comfort despite increased pitch.
- Seat maps and fare pages may change as aircraft are updated, so travellers should confirm pitch and seat features when booking.
Regulatory and practical considerations
Airframe reconfigurations are governed by regulatory approvals and technical checks, and airlines must balance passenger comfort, cabin density, and certification requirements. Changes to pitch and recline can affect emergency egress and load planning, which is why maintenance alerts and engineering notices are often scrutinised.
Passengers concerned about stretch space or recline options should check seat specifications on the airline’s website and third-party seating guides, and consider fare types that include preferred seating if extra legroom is important.
What to watch next
Air Canada has not published a schedule for reconfiguration work. Watch for updated seat maps and notices on flights that use 777-300ER aircraft, and for any regulatory filings or service updates that confirm seat pitch and recline limits. If you have specific accessibility needs, contact the airline directly before booking.
Public debate over seat pitch and cabin layout is likely to continue as carriers balance demand for premium options with pressure to keep fares competitive.
For now, travellers should review seat offerings at booking, check whether preferred seating is included in their fare class, and weigh the trade-off between extra legroom and potential limits on recline.
Air CanadaWestJettravelaviationeconomy seats
