WestJet Refreshing Boeing 737 Cabins, Adding Premium Class To More Planes

Lucky, do you see any possibility of them joining either SkyTeam or oneworld some time in the future? Gine the Delta and Korean investments ST could be a possibility.

@ Aaron -- If anything, it would definitely be SkyTeam, with Porter moving closer to oneworld. That being said, I'm not convinced it'll happen. As we know, Delta doesn't really care much about alliances, when it has a say. It's just like how when Delta invested in LATAM, the airline left oneworld, but didn't join SkyTeam. So it could happen, but I wouldn't bet on it.

When visiting back the WestJet 787 review, I couldn't help but notice that you used to include a detailed description of each flight at the very beginning of the review (which I really enjoyed as it encompasses key/interesting info in one single place). Is there any reason in particular why you don't do this anymore?

With LATAM it's worth noting that Qatar Airways has remained a substantial investor in LA.

iirc both Delta and Flying Blue only has access to economy award space (it’s one of the few remaining non-variable pricing redemption with SkyPesos…which can be tremendously good value considering how expensive domestic Canada flights can get last minute).

But yes they often publish some attractive business fares — for example, currently seeing some dates where you can fly NRT-YYC for US$1600 or NRT-YYC-YUL for $1700 (if you want to review their domestic business product, which is listed as “Premium Economy” on metasearch sites). Sometimes the business fares on certain OTAs such as (Trip .com) are lower than booking direct.

Ben, there are often attractively priced cash one-way fares from YYZ to ICN via YYC (often with an overnight layover in YYC, which would allow you to check out one of two Marriott in-terminal hotels...) For instance, next April and May, there are a large number of days with a cash one-way fare of approximately $1600 USD. This is with the first segment, YYZ-YYC, in the 737 Premium cabin.

Amazing! I hope Westjet and Porter keep growing saving us from having to fly AC garbage.

Why doesn’t westjet issue a credit card in that US citizens can get?

I similarly saw ATL-YYC-NRT J fares this fall that were attractive - I forget the exact amount, but it was significantly less than everyone else.

Glad to see WS "meeting guest demand for a broader range of product offerings". If they actually offer something equivalent to AC or AA domestic business class I'll consider ceasing my decades-long practice of referring to WestJet as a LCC with lipstick. It says a lot about Canada that airlines, which know what they're doing, rarely commit to serious premium cabins/services. All the rants about "AC garbage" notwithstanding, let me know when porter or Westjet offer Signature Suite dining or lie-flat seating on 5-hour flights.

A resourceful US resident can get Canadian credit cards, just as innumerable Canadian residents already get US credit cards. Learn more at miles/points conferences. This is one of the growing areas of discussion.

Delta often has good pricing for WestJet domestic Y redemptions so that's an option if you're in the MR ecosystem.

I'm not sure I agree with your statement that Westjet "seems poised to take on Air Canada on a more national level". If anything, I feel like they have pulled back and ceded Eastern Canada to Porter. Looking at departures from Ottawa tomorrow, Westjet has only 7 flights, while even United has 10, and AC and Porter each have over 30.

I flew WestJet 10 years ago to YYC from JFK. The check-in agent noticed I was in a middle seat, saw my height and told me to upgrade to their premium seating. I balked and she said "the alcohol is free" and gave me a knowing look. I took it.

I ended up sat between two lumberjack types. Probably 1000 lbs between the 3 of us. We got sloshed and made quick friends, flight was over in no time. Calgary is a cool town. Way under the radar.

"All the rants about "AC garbage" notwithstanding"

Canada is in the 2nd closest position to India of having the most obnoxious passengers gunning to tar their flag carrier at any and all opportunities. I've flown plenty of AC flights in my life and they are no worse than the US3. Rouge is another story.

Unless WestJet decide to come back to Ontario they will just be a leisure airline. Slapping a few business class seats into a plane isn't going to change much, when they gave up on 50% of the Canadian market.

I’ve visited Calgary twice and enjoyed myself on both occasions. I’m not sure about living there, though. Winter is way too rugged for me.

Not an upgrade to those flying in Economy. The new seats will not recline unlike the current ones that do.

I often use AF/KL FlyingBlue to book WJ - regional economy hops at 5K miles are often a good redemption. I wonder if WestJet makes their premium cabin available to AF/KL or Delta.

I often use AF/KL FlyingBlue to book WJ - regional economy hops at 5K miles are often a good redemption. I wonder if WestJet makes their premium cabin available to AF/KL or Delta.