WestJet is Canada's second-largest airline, known for its extensive domestic network and growing international presence. The airline operates flights to over 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Based in Calgary, WestJet has built a reputation for friendly service and competitive pricing. The airline partners with Delta, making it appealing to Delta frequent flyers.
Cabin classes, seats & legroom
WestJet only has four aircraft types in its mainline fleet. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is its only widebody aircraft, and it has a three-cabin configuration. WestJet's narrowbody aircraft include the Boeing 737-8 Max, the Boeing 737-800 NG and the Boeing 737-700 NG, each of which has a two-cabin configuration.
Business
Business Class is WestJet's top-tier cabin on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which fly select long-haul international and transcontinental routes. The cabin features lie-flat seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring every passenger has direct aisle access. I like that WestJet's Business Class cabin is on the smaller side with just 16 seats, as that translates into quick and attentive service.
Premium
On WestJet's narrowbody aircraft, Premium is the top-tier cabin, equivalent to domestic first class on other airlines. The recliner-style seats are arranged in a 2-2 configuration with between 5 and 18 cm of extra legroom over economy seats. Premium passengers receive perks like two free checked bags and priority boarding.
On WestJet's widebody aircraft, Premium is the premium economy cabin, located between Business and Economy (in terms of both its physical location on the plane and its price and amenities). It's arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, which means you could get stuck in a middle seat. But the seats do have a 96.5-cm pitch and extendable footrests, which I find makes them extra comfortable, particularly on long-haul flights.
Economy
Economy seats can be found on all of WestJet's planes. They have between 73.5 and 79 cm of pitch, unless you opt to purchase the Extended Comfort seats. They're located at the front of the economy cabin and have between 8.5 and 15 cm of extra legroom compared to standard economy seats. Plus, passengers seated here receive priority boarding and one complimentary alcoholic beverage (if they're of legal drinking age, of course).
The economy cabin has three fare classes: UltraBasic, Econo and EconoFlex. UltraBasic is WestJet's basic economy, which means the tickets are cheap but have many restrictions. For instance, passengers flying within North America, the Caribbean or Central America will not be able to bring a carry-on, but those flying to Europe or Asia can bring a carry-on bag. All UltraBasic tickets cannot be changed or cancelled for an e-credit.
Econo and EconoFlex tickets have more perks, including a carry-on. And EconoFlex also includes a checked bag, seat selection and free changes or cancellations. You can, however, pay for extras à la carte if you book Econo. Generally speaking, I recommend Econo for most travellers, since the fare is less restrictive than UltraBasic yet more affordable than EconoFlex.
Upgrades
One of my favourite things about WestJet is that you can bid on upgrades. Prior to your flight, you may receive an email offering you the chance to bid for available seats in Business or Premium. Even the highest possible bid is usually lower than what you'd pay for those seats outright, so you can usually score a fair deal if there's availability.
Check-in
You can check-in for your WestJet flight online, via the mobile app, or at the check-in counter. Online and mobile check-in open 24 hours before departure, while the check-in desks usually open three hours before departure. Passengers with elite status or seated in Business or Premium can use the priority desk at check-in.
If you're checking a bag, it's best to prepay online or via the app, as checking a bag at the desk costs an extra fee. Note that you can't check in via the kiosk; the only option there is to print your bag tags and boarding pass for those who have checked in online or via the app.
Boarding
WestJet boards in zones, starting with those needing assistance and families with young children, followed by Business, Premium, and passengers with elite status. Economy passengers then board by zone number, with those in Extended Comfort seats boarding earlier. In my experience, WestJet boards economy from the back to the front, so if you're in the front of the cabin, you actually may not find space in the overhead bin by the time you board.
Lounges
While WestJet doesn’t have its own lounges, it offers access to a variety of partner lounges at key airports, including most major Canadian airports, a handful of European airports, two Caribbean airports, and two Asian airports. I'm most impressed by its partnership with Air France at Charles de Gaulle in Paris; the lounge in the L Concourse of Terminal 2E has a Clarins spa with free mini treatments.
Entry rules, however, are fairly complicated. There's no standard across the board. Some lounges are complimentary, while others are paid, but discounted for WestJet passengers. And if entrance is complimentary, it might only be for Business class passengers, not those with elite status. Check your options on the WestJet website before booking your flight, lest you be disappointed by the potential lack of lounge access.
Wi-Fi & entertainment
Most WestJet flights have WiFi available for purchase. As for entertainment, the narrowbodies do not have seat-back screens, but you can download the WestJet app to watch movies and TV shows, or even tap into LinkedIn learning modules. On WestJet's Dreamliner, all seats do have in-flight entertainment systems, so you don't need to use the app.
Dining
Food options on WestJet vary based on the length of the flight, the destination and the cabin class. Premium passengers are always offered a free snack, while hot meals are included on all flights at least 1370 km long (that's about 2.5 hours long). Business passengers are always served hot meals.
In the economy cabin, free basic snacks are offered on most flights. More snack options are available for purchase on longer flights, while hot meals are available for purchase on North American flights at least 1370 km long (again, about 2.5 hours long or longer). Hot meals are complimentary for economy passengers flying to Europe or Asia.
Amenities
Amenities are fairly limited on WestJet flights. Business passengers receive Matt & Nat amenity kits and bedding on all flights. Premium passengers receive amenity kits and bedding on long-haul international flights. Economy passengers flying on the Dreamliner will also receive a pillow and blanket on long-haul international flights.
Loyalty program & miles
WestJet’s loyalty program, WestJet Rewards, allows members to earn WestJet dollars, which are the airline's version of miles, on flights, vacation packages, and eligible car rentals. These dollars can be redeemed for flights and vacation packages, but not upgrades. I find it a somewhat unusual program, as dollars are essentially a gift card that can be put towards airfare, not true points or miles.
While WestJet dollars can only be redeemed on WestJet flights, they can be earned on partner flights. Though the airline is not part of a global alliance, it does have quite a few partners, including Aeromexico, Air France, Delta, Japan Airlines (JAL), Korean Air and Qantas. I'd only recommend utilizing WestJet Rewards if that's your primary airline. If you fly other airlines, you're better off using a different rewards program for your flights.
Elite status
WestJet Rewards has tiered membership levels for frequent flyers: Teal, Silver, Gold and Platinum. They're earned by spending a certain number of dollars on WestJet or partner airline flights, WestJet Vacations and car rentals. Each tier offers increasing benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, lounge access and complimentary upgrades. WestJet also rewards elites with Milestone awards at certain spend thresholds; the best one is a companion pass.
And if you're a WestJet elite flying on Delta, you'll receive some reciprocal benefits, including preferred seating, free checked bags and Delta Sky Club access. (The same is true of Delta passengers flying on WestJet.) Not all benefits transfer, though, so check out the fine print online.
Credit cards
WestJet offers multiple co-branded credit cards in partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Perks for these cards range from bonus WestJet dollars to free checked bags to companion vouchers. Compared to other airline credit cards, the annual fees are fairly minimal, especially when you consider the perks. But I still would only recommend signing up for them if you plan on flying WestJet regularly.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
