WestJet is the second-largest carrier in Canada after Air Canada. It started as a low-cost carrier inspired by the business model of Southwest Airlines. And in late 2017, WestJet transitioned into a full-service carrier. Recently, I had the opportunity to test out WestJet’s new Boeing 787-9 Business Class from Amsterdam to Calgary.
Preboarding Experience
The journey began at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). The business class check-in line was very short. A WestJet representative checked my boarding pass, passport, and COVID vaccine certifications. Currently, WestJet does not have a dedicated lounge nor any lounge agreements with other airlines at AMS. The only lounge you might have luck getting into is the Aspire Lounge. However, the lounge can fill up quickly. There were 83 parties ahead of me when I checked in. So I decided to skip the lounge this time. Instead, I checked out the duty-free shops and went to the gate early. WestJet staff had to manually verify everyone’s passports at the gate due to technical difficulties with their computer system. They were unable to scan digital boarding passes as well, so they had to print paper boarding passes for everyone. As a result, the boarding process was chaotic, and the flight was delayed for close to an hour.
The Seats
The experience greatly improved upon boarding the plane. WestJet’s 787-9 Business Class seats are only three years old. The Business Class section is organized in a 1-2-1 configuration. Additionally, the seats are staggered, blocking other passengers from view while seated, allowing for increased privacy. The seats are also fully motorized and recline into a flatbed. The angle of the backrest, footrest and lumbar support are independently adjustable with the long press of a button on the touchscreens.
The seat comes with ample storage. On one side, there is a compartment holding a bottle of water and a pair of ANC headphones. On the other side of the seat, there are two compartments. The larger one has an outlet and headphone jack with enough space between the lid and wall for a wire to comfortably stick out when closed. And the smaller compartment has a mirror on the lid. Near the footrest, there is an additional deeper storage space that you can use for small bags. Overall the seat is well-designed and user-friendly. One can feel the time and consideration spent on the convenient details sprinkled across the seat design.
The Technology
The in-flight entertainment provided by WestJet includes an 18.5-inch touchscreen TV. Its interface is similar to economy class’ in-flight entertainment interface. The selection of movies, music, and games is the same. The only difference in the entertainment system is the additional remote control you can use to navigate the UI. The remote control resembles a portable game console and can be used to play some in-flight games easily.
The chair is equipped with a universal plug, eliminating the need for adapters. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the plug supported a full 25w fast charge for my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4.
The headphone jack is a rare three-prong jack. I was able to successfully use the Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth adapter by plugging it into one of the three prongs. WestJet does include a pair of generic wired ANC headphones for every business class seat. The over-the-ear headphones had thick comfortable padding and canceled out the low hums of the airplane engine well.
The Amenities
The complimentary amenities kit included a vegan leather and fabric Matt & Nat toiletry bag, a pair of socks, and foam earplugs. Additionally, the kit included an eyemask, a towelette, lip balm, and lotion from Province Apothecary, as well as a 15% off coupon for the Canadian skincare brand.
I appreciate WestJet’s focus on local Canadian brands for the amenities bag. The bag is well constructed, and I can see myself using it as a general tech bag in the future.
The Food
The service on WestJet began with a pre-flight drink. I chose a glass of Castelnau Brut NV champagne from France. The champagne was smooth and slightly sweet.
Lunch included a pre-meal drink, two appetizer options, two entree options, and two dessert options.
I ordered a latte, which was served with a chocolate chip cookie, and a bag of roasted cashews with toasted coconut and sea salt. The latte was one of the best I’ve had on a plane, rich and creamy.
For the appetizer, I chose the couscous salad with smoked chicken. The salad was fresh, but the complementary bread rolls were stale and hard.
My main course was a delicious slow-cooked beef short ribs. The sauce was rich in flavor and the beef was incredibly tender.
The chocolate ganache cake dessert was a disappointment – very dry and dense.
After several hours of rest, WestJet began their breakfast service before landing. I was given a bread roll with butter, a selection of fruits, an assortment of local cheeses, and a bean salad with grilled tomatoes and smoked turkey. The cheese selection had a variety of flavors. Some were creamy and earthy while others were sharp and briny. The salad was fresh and the smoked turkey was tender. I rounded the meal off with another cup of latte.
Overall, the food exceeded my expectations. WestJet has a competitive offering when it comes to in-flight dining.
Overall Impression
WestJet has a fantastic business-class experience. The recently introduced electronic flat beds put them on par with other airlines in terms of comfort. I highly recommend WestJet for long-haul international flights.