How Much Legroom Do Canadian Airlines Actually Give You?

If you’ve been scrolling social media this week, you might have seen that WestJet video go viral showing a passenger struggling to fit their legs under the seat in front of them. It sparked a big online conversation about airline legroom, especially on domestic flights that already feel tight. 

So we asked ourselves: how much space are you actually getting from the main Canadian carriers in economy class? Here’s a breakdown of what you should expect from Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, Flair Airlines, and Air Transat.

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What Does “Legroom” Actually Mean?

Airlines don’t usually measure legroom in actual space for your legs. Instead they use a number called seat pitch, which is the distance from one point on a seat to the same point on the seat in front of it. More inches usually means you have more room to relax your knees.

It doesn’t tell the whole story, but it’s the best way to compare comfort between aircraft and airlines.

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Air Canada: Solid Standard Space + Ways to Stretch Out

When it comes to legroom, Air Canada is generally right where most legacy carriers sit in North America.

In standard economy on most aircraft you’ll see something in the 30 to 33 inch range. Smaller jets like the Airbus A220 and narrow-body Airbus A320 family usually fall on the roomier side of that range, while some larger aircraft are closer to the middle. 

Air Canada also has their Preferred Seats program. These seats are still within the economy cabin but typically offer around 35 inches of legroom, giving you a bit more space without jumping all the way to premium economy. 

And if you really want extra room to stretch, premium economy on wide-bodies like the Boeing 787 includes roughly 38 inches of pitch and extra recline, a noticeable jump in comfort for long-haul flights. 

In short: Air Canada’s economy legroom is comfortable for most flyers, and there are clear upgrade paths if space matters to you.

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WestJet: Viral Video Highlights a Seating Test Rollout

Now for the airline that’s been dominating headlines: WestJet.

Most of WestJet’s fleet still uses a seating layout that is similar to Air Canada’s, with economy seat pitch around 31 to 34 inches on many planes, and even up to 35 inches on long-haul 787 Dreamliners on international routes. 

But here’s where the recent attention comes in: WestJet has been testing a denser cabin on some Boeing 737 aircraft that adds another row of seats. This test layout uses a variable seat pitch, with some rows around 28 inches and others up to 38 inches. The tighter rows were featured in the viral video that has made the rounds online. 

WestJet says the goal of this reconfiguration is to help keep base fares as low as possible, and that the new layout was certified through all safety and airworthiness standards. It’s also offering a range of seat options in the same plane, from tighter economy rows to roomier extra-legroom seats and premium cabins. 

As of now, about 21 aircraft have this configuration, and WestJet is closely monitoring guest feedback before deciding whether to roll it out more widely. 

In short: the 28-inch seats are part of a rollout test, not the standard on every WestJet flight. It’s created a lot of buzz because it feels tighter than what most Canadians are used to.

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Porter Airlines: Comfortable for Short Trips

Porter doesn’t fly big wide-body jets, but on the aircraft it does operate — Dash 8 turboprops and Embraer E195-E2 jets — economy seat pitch tends to sit around 30 inches. 

The seats do feel a bit wider (18.3″), which many travellers say helps make up for not having extra inches between rows. Because Porter focuses on shorter routes, many flyers find this space comfortable enough without stressing over tiny pitch differences.

In short: consistent, comfortable for shorter flights, and often feels more spacious than the numbers might suggest.

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Flair Airlines: Tight but Typical for a Low-Cost Carrier

Flair, one of Canada’s leading low-cost airlines, generally configures its planes to maximize seats and keep fares low. That means economy seat pitch often lands around 29 to 30 inches, which is on the snug side compared with legacy carriers. 

For shorter hops that’s usually no big deal, but on a longer flight you’ll definitely feel the difference compared with more spaced-out configurations.

In short: tighter than average, but in line with what many budget airlines around the world offer.

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Air Transat: A Little More Room for Leisure Flyers

Air Transat’s economy cabins tend to offer around 31 to 32 inches of seat pitch, even on longer flights to Europe and beyond. 

That puts it on par with the mainline offerings of Air Canada and WestJet when you’re looking just at standard economy space. For many vacation travellers, that consistency makes Transat a comfortable choice.

In short: reliable and on par with the traditional Canadian airlines.

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So Which Airline Gives You the Most Space?

There’s no single clear winner, but here’s the high-level view:

• Most consistent standard legroom: Air Canada and Air Transat
• Most variation: WestJet, due to the recent cabin test rollout
• Best for short trips with a feeling of more space: Porter
• Tightest base seats: Flair

The viral WestJet video put legroom back on the map, but the real takeaway is that aircraft configuration matters as much as airline name. Two flights on the same airline can feel very different depending on the plane.

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Final Thoughts

If legroom matters to you, it’s worth taking a few extra seconds when you book to check the specific aircraft and seat pitch. Tools like seat maps and airline guides can help you avoid nasty surprises.

And if you really want space, consider options like preferred seats, extra-legroom sections, or premium economy when available. They cost a bit more, but your knees will thank you on longer flights.

Travel looks different for everyone, and knowing what to expect lets you enjoy it all the more.