We’re seeing a trend where airlines are increasingly operating longer flights with smaller planes. This is happening in several ways. For example, we’re seeing routes that were previously operated by 747s now operated by 787s, and we’re also seeing plenty of routes previously operated by widebody aircraft now being operated by narrowbody aircraft.
Continue reading: WestJet Announces Transatlantic 737 Flights From Halifax
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Their current 'biz class' is pretty half-assed. They've yet to demonstrate any convincing case for being anything but shorthaul. We'll see after delivery of the 787. They're still in the minors.
@rw
WestJet have already said they'll introduce a proper business class on their 787s (Including lie flat seats).
Since I'm based in Nova Scotia I'm excited to see this, though this isn't as innovative as it looks at first glance. The Gatwick flights are replacing YYT-LGW flights, so that's great for me but bad for Newfoundlanders. These aren't Westjet's first trans-atlantic flights from YHZ either. We've had 737 flights to Glasgow for a couple of years.
The CDG route is all new and very exciting though. I'm really hoping for AMS soon.
Does Westjet's 737 MAX economy class really have 34" pitch? That is WAY better than Air Canada, which is a knee-killing 30".
@smallmj, The 737 Max is supposed to have 30-31 pitch. The 34" is Economy plus and they only have a few of those seats. It's like AC Rouge, which means painful.
Honestly the 737MAX has just been bad news for Y passengers. AC’s sucks, AA’s sucks, and now WS’ sucks. And AC is offering J class which is just domestic first, at international J prices. Just nuts.
@QQ The Dublin flights are from YYT. Newfoundland has stronger traditional connections to Ireland. Nova Scotia has a bigger Scottish community.
"Honestly the 737MAX has just been bad news for Y passengers."
I wonder if AA or WestJet will win the award for longest flight on most uncomfortable 737MAX
Good idea. This must be one of the shortest trans-Atlantic flights (save for St. Johns which doesn't have good connections.
That in turn means I'm happy to fly their "premium economy" over Business, which saves a lot of money
@EvenSteven
Even here in Asia, GA's 737 MAX is bad news. They added 14 seats to the 737 by killing the pitch and reducing the toilet size. Worse still, they're retrofitting the older 737s with the new seats and config. The only upgrade is a bigger IFE screen.
If this means it will put downward pressure on other transatlantic fares, great. I'd much rather take a 737 to a North American hub and connect there.
An evening flight to western Europe on a 737 does not sound fun. Nothing like a narrow-body cabin appropriate for domestic short-haul to rest in before an international arrival or connection. Dense layout, limited storage, noisy cabin, tiny restrooms, crowded aisles, etc.
Why would anyone want to replicate the domestic/regional flight experience on transatlantic travel?
Jeff,
Except that this flight is about the same distance and duration as transcon US flights, most of which are narrow bodies. So why would it make any difference?
@ smallmj
“The Gatwick flights are replacing YYT-LGW flights”
Really? That’s terrible news for me: the TATL flight to St John’s has been on my “must do” list for a while.