This whole idea that, now, even Econo fare purchasers have zero ability to select or change seats without paying big extra fees - even at or after check-in - really angers me.

(I’m lucky, I suppose, that my WS status and benefits shield me from this silliness. But freedom from being gouged is tough to classify as a “benefit”.)

“Ultra Basic” is the new bottom-of-the-barrel.

“Econo”, it seems, has been downgraded to be the new Basic.

At the very least, this is the airline version of shrinkflation. More likely, though, it’s another signal of WestJet’s continued shift towards the bottom. The product seems to be constantly being chipped away at. The fare bundles are being moved downscale. WS just seems to be aspiring to become Flair, or Lynx (remember them), or Spirit. There just seems to be less desire to offer product that competes effectively with AC or PD, or is even consistent with their partner DL.