The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that WestJet abruptly walked back a rollout of tighter economy seating last week after viral videos showed passengers struggling with cramped legroom. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe says the U-turn offered a sharp warning to North American airlines redesigning cabins to favour higher-paying travellers, often by trimming space and cutting once-standard perks in the back of the plane. WestJet had reconfigured part of its Boeing 737 fleet to add premium seating and an extra six seats in economy. To make room, some economy rows were fitted with fixed-back seats that could not recline and the space between seats, known as the pitch, was reduced from 30 to 28 inches. While the airline backed away, the episode has become a flashpoint in a broader push to chase higher-paying travellers and charge economy passengers extra for things that once came standard. Analyst Robert Mann said WestJet's case serves as a "cautionary tale to other carriers that there is a limit" to what economy passengers will tolerate. Executives at Delta, United and American have told investors demand is holding up best at the front of the cabin, while demand for the cheapest tickets is more fragile.