CALGARY, Canada: Calgary-based WestJet this week became one of the first North American airlines to make reclining seats a paid upgrade, debuting new planes with fixed standard economy seats. Passengers who want to recline will need to pay extra, a move that has drawn backlash from travelers and even pilots.

WestJet began flying the first of 43 newly configured aircraft this week. The remaining planes will be refitted early next year, eventually making up less than a third of the airline's narrowbody fleet.

While low-cost carriers in Europe commonly use fixed-back seats, the shift marks a new phase in the North American airline industry's steady unbundling of amenities once included in the ticket price such as carry-on bags, seat selection, and even snack service.

"I think there has to be an alternative to making flights more affordable for the working class without taking away the comforts," said Gurneet Singh, a 28-year-old student from the Greater Toronto area.

Others see little choice but to adapt. "What are you going to do? Not fly? Pay more?" said Melissa Fisher of Portland, Oregon.

WestJet says it introduced the new seats to offer "choice and comfort options" at different price points. However, crew members' and pilots' reactions have been mixed.

Bernie Lewall, chair of the WestJet ALPA Master Executive Council, said pilots are concerned about being assigned to non-reclining seats while traveling to work assignments, a practice known as "deadheading."

"If they think that there's a market out there, I'm OK with that," Lewall told Reuters. "What I'm not OK with is being forced to deadhead in a seat like that, where it could potentially lead to health and safety issues, or fatigue issues."

He said pilots are considering filing a grievance over the issue. WestJet responded that all such travel will comply with the pilots' collective agreement.

Some passengers also argue that the decision prioritizes cost-cutting over comfort. But not everyone is disappointed. WestJet said that in testing, half the passengers preferred fixed seats, saying they prevented others from reclining into their limited space, a frequent source of midair tension.

Dr. Gabor Lukacs, founder of Air Passenger Rights, said customers unhappy with the change have little legal recourse. "Unfortunately, there's no legal right to reclining seats," he said.

Analysts say the airline's move fits a growing trend among carriers facing thin margins, high fuel costs, and pressure to keep fares low while boosting revenue through optional add-ons.

For some passengers, though, the message is clear: comfort continues to shrink, even when the price of flying doesn't.