A overview of WestJet financial system on the Boeing 737 MAX 8 from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary

Fast take: WestJet financial system class is a no-frills passenger expertise that might be price it for budget-minded vacationers — however provided that you get your tickets for the precise worth.

Professionals

• A la carte meals and beverage choices had been moderately priced
• Wi-Fi velocity was first rate, and WestJet’s digital leisure had a terrific film choice
• Environment friendly, if not overly heat, service

Cons

• Cabin inside was soiled and had very worn seats
• Drink cups had been very small and beverage service was restricted, so you might wish to deliver your personal water or drinks aboard
• Just one attendant on the check-in desk for non-priority passengers led to the road shifting slowly

Trying to journey to Canada, eh?

Except for Air Canada, WestJet ought to be in your radar. As Canada’s second-largest airline, this provider presents a no-frills, low-cost buyer expertise. However whereas some could contemplate WestJet a “price range airline,” the provider’s facilities nonetheless surpass that of low-cost U.S. airways like Spirit and Frontier.

Since I favor nonstop, round-trip flight offers over cheaper, layover-filled itineraries, I discovered myself perusing WestJet’s web site. Trying to fly from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary, Alberta, in financial system, I discovered round-trip, nonstop flights for simply $292. To notice, this nonstop flight route doesn’t function year-round with the identical frequency.

Seated in financial system class for roughly five-and-a-half hours, this is how my general WestJet expertise went.

How you can guide financial system on WestJet

The WestJet Boeing 737 MAX 8 has solely financial system or premium financial system seats on board; due to this fact, there aren’t any business- or first-class fares obtainable for flights operated by this plane.

WestJet sells three forms of financial system fares on its Boeing 737 MAX 8 from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Worldwide Airport (FLL) to Calgary Worldwide Airport (YYC): Primary, Econo and EconoFlex. Here’s what is included with every.

WestJet’s baggage coverage permits passengers to have one private merchandise and one carry-on merchandise free of charge when reserving in financial system, however its dimension necessities are a bit smaller than different related airways — extra on that later.

As a factors and miles fanatic, I initially tried to guide my flight through an award redemption. Although Delta is a codeshare associate of WestJet, I couldn’t discover nonstop award availability utilizing Delta SkyMiles. Subsequent, I checked the costs on the Chase and Amex journey portals.

The money worth on each journey portals was increased than WestJet was charging straight. Nonetheless, I had the choice to redeem Chase Final Rewards factors at a set charge of 1.5 cents apiece with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® by way of Chase Journey or my Amex Membership Rewards factors for 1 cent apiece through amextravel.com, due to carrying The Platinum Card® from American Categorical.

I usually get extra worth from these transferable level currencies by transferring them to airline and lodge companions and redeeming them that method; due to this fact, I made a decision to save lots of my factors for future redemptions for the reason that money worth on the WestJet flight was so low.

Nonetheless, if you wish to use your factors for a nonstop WestJet award flight, I like to recommend utilizing Chase Final Rewards to get the very best redemption.

*Editor’s be aware: Value ranges had been obtainable on the time of search and might fluctuate based mostly on demand, season and different components.

Since WestJet had a 20% low cost on flights on the time of my reserving, I bought a round-trip, nonstop flight from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary in financial system for $292. I used my Amex Platinum card to guide my flight because it earns 5 Membership Rewards factors per greenback spent on flights booked straight with the airline (on as much as $500,000 of those purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback), whereas my Chase Sapphire Reserve solely earns 3 factors per greenback spent on journey purchases.

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Checking in and boarding financial system on WestJet

Earlier than my flight, I downloaded the WestJet app, simply checked in and obtained my cellular boarding cross.

I usually favor to not test baggage and fly with a small suitcase as my carry-on bag and my backpack as my private merchandise.

Nonetheless, I double-checked the airline’s baggage coverage as a result of I’ve by no means flown with WestJet, and it acknowledged {that a} backpack with the scale of my bag would depend as a carry-on bag reasonably than a private merchandise. Since I did not understand how strict the airline can be with their bag coverage, I made a decision to prepay $40 one-way for a checked bag as a result of if I had been compelled to test my backpack or carry-on on the airport, I might be charged a further $10 anyway.

The WestJet gate brokers didn’t double-check that every buyer’s luggage match the suitable private and carry-on dimensions on the gate, however gate brokers at YYC did test on my return flight, so that you won’t wish to take any possibilities if you happen to’re flying with the airline.

At FLL, WestJet doesn’t have a kiosk the place clients can test in or print baggage tags and boarding passes. As an alternative, it’s essential to wait in line to drop off your suitcase in case you are checking luggage. WestJet has a precedence check-in lane obtainable to business- and premium economy-ticketed passengers and Platinum, Gold and Silver elite members of its WestJet Rewards program. Since Delta is a associate of WestJet, in case you are a Delta Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond Medallion member, it’s also possible to entry the airline’s precedence lane.

I do not need standing with both loyalty program, nor was I flying in enterprise or premium class, so I bought within the non-priority bag drop lane. There was just one WestJet worker servicing this lane, which made the bag drop course of a bit sluggish. Whereas this was not problematic for me since I used to be the eighth visitor in line and arrived two hours earlier than my flight’s departure time, it may create further stress if you end up on the very again of a protracted check-in line with just one attendant.

After swiftly getting by way of safety at Terminal 2 utilizing my Clear Plus membership and TSA PreCheck standing, I waited for my flight to begin boarding. WestJet participates in TSA PreCheck, so you should definitely add your Recognized Traveler Quantity earlier than check-in to hurry up your safety course of.

Surprisingly, my flight started boarding 10 minutes earlier than it was scheduled to take action. I’ve by no means been on a flight the place the boarding course of started early. Like most airways, WestJet boards precedence members, together with premium financial system passengers and people holding elite standing with the airline, first in Zone 1. Moreover, Delta Gold Medallion members and above are additionally in a position to board in Zone 1.

As an financial system passenger seated behind the airplane, I boarded in Zone 2. Apparently, WestJet boards the again of the airplane in Zone 2 and the entrance of the airplane — other than premium clients — in Zone 3. The general boarding course of was fast and environment friendly, and we had been in a position to take off about 10 minutes sooner than the initially scheduled 3:30 p.m. departure.

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How comfy was WestJet financial system?

The plane for my five-and-a-half-hour flight was the Boeing 737 MAX 8 with the next seat depend and structure in financial system.

I used to be seated in 28E — a center seat simply two rows forward of the final row on the plane. Sadly, after I bought to my center seat, I observed a small, empty alcohol bottle within the seatback pocket, which additionally had a noticeable crack. Having a look round, it appeared like all of the seats had been nicely worn, and the flooring had been noticeably soiled with crumbs that I assumed had been meals. I could not assist however marvel in the event that they did not clear the airplane in any respect earlier than we boarded.

When you worth flight consolation, financial system on WestJet will not be for you. Whereas the financial system seat pitch on this Boeing flight is 30 inches — the usual for many airways — the seat’s cushioning was minimal and solely reclined about 3 inches. I did not discover any rips or scuffing on the seats, however the free cloth and physique imprints present that these seats are a bit worn.

Every seat had a USB-A port and a common plug positioned simply above the seatback pocket. A plug to cost my cellphone was crucial on this longer flight, because the provider solely presents wi-fi leisure to stream by yourself gadgets reasonably than a seat-mounted inflight leisure system.

The tray desk on my WestJet flight was common dimension, about 15 to 16 inches extensive and simply deployed. Whereas I may comfortably match my 17-inch laptop computer on the tray desk, it is not supreme for these desirous to take pleasure in a beverage or eat whereas utilizing your laptop.

WestJet’s 737 MAX 8s have three toilets: one on the entrance of the airplane and two on the again. That made for some prolonged wait occasions throughout sure stretches of the flight. Since this flight is greater than two hours, I counsel reserving a minimum of 5 rows away from the loos behind the airplane.

I had moved to the aisle seat earlier than takeoff since nobody was sitting there. So, beginning about two hours into the flight, there have been continuously individuals standing subsequent to my seat ready for the services. I attempted to nap on the airplane, however this made it arduous with individuals brushing previous me.

General, the loos on this WestJet flight felt akin to different home U.S. flights concerning dimension and cleanliness.

Facilities in WestJet financial system

Do not count on many facilities on WestJet financial system flights. Whereas there aren’t any seatback screens, WestJet permits you to use your wi-fi gadget to observe films and TV reveals free of charge on its app through Wi-Fi streaming. The airline had a wide variety of latest films, together with “The Marvels,” “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie.”

I bought a Wi-Fi cross that I may use for the whole thing of my flight for CA$23.09 (about $17). Whereas inflight Wi-Fi may be spotty regardless of which provider you are flying, my WestJet Join labored surprisingly nicely. I used to be in a position to watch YouTube movies, ship texts, reply work emails and use social media apps with no drawback.

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How was the meals in WestJet financial system?

Inflight meals service began about half-hour after departure. The crew got here round to ask if anybody want to order from the a la carte menu. Complimentary beverage service started shortly after the crew completed taking passengers’ orders from the a la carte menu.

Since this was an almost six-hour flight, I opted to strive the pink Thai curry cup with coconut rice and the three-cheese pasta cup with Italian spices for my dinner. These two gadgets every price about $7.

Not sure of what to anticipate, I waited because the attendant introduced out two microwaved cups of meals from Meal of the Second, a model that produces immediate meals. The pink Thai curry was flavorful for being a dehydrated immediate meal. Nonetheless, the three-cheese pasta cup was bland, and the Italian spices created an odd taste profile when added to what amounted to watered-down immediate macaroni and cheese.

If eating on dehydrated immediate meals doesn’t sound appetizing, it’s also possible to buy snacks comparable to a Package Kat, beef jerky, Pringles and gummy bears.

Except for WestJet’s a la carte menu, financial system passengers can select from a number of complimentary drinks, together with water, juice and sodas, and a free snack — both pretzels or a chocolate biscuit.

Alcoholic drinks, comparable to a glass of pinot grigio or merlot, price about $7. Beer, together with Coors Mild and Molson Canadian, prices about $6.

Prospects weren’t given a complete can of soda or a beverage of their selection. As an alternative, I needed to accept a small plastic cup crammed with ice and just a little liquid after I ordered a ginger ale. Maybe that is WestJet’s method of making an attempt to restrict lavatory breaks.

After only a few sips, I completed my drink and wished one other. The flight attendants got here round twice to cross out complimentary snacks and drinks, and after I requested if I may have each pretzels and a chocolate biscuit, the attendant fortunately obliged. Drinks apart, a minimum of they weren’t being stingy on the snacks.

The second inflight service passed off just a little over an hour earlier than the airplane landed. Since there are solely two inflight beverage companies on this flight and the pour-size is proscribed, I counsel bringing your personal nonalcoholic drinks.

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Is WestJet financial system price it?

It is true what they are saying, “You get what you pay for.”

My worldwide financial system flight to Calgary was bare-bones however nonetheless price it. Although the inside cabin may have been cleaner and higher maintained, my seat had sufficient legroom to take a seat by way of my five-and-a-half-hour flight from FLL to YYC. This plane jogged my memory of an older JetBlue or American Airways airplane.

For future WestJet flights, I might ensure to purchase snacks and drinks on the airport so I do not need to depend on the inflight service. I might additionally make some extent to maintain my gadgets charged forward of time in case there are any points with the in-seat energy retailers after I wish to stream leisure.

General, if this round-trip financial system flight had price greater than $600, I might have been upset within the general buyer expertise. However as a result of I paid lower than $300 for a reasonably lengthy round-trip journey between two smaller cities, I deplaned happy if not overwhelmed.