• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » Reviews » Flight Reviews » Review: WestJet 737-700 Premium Class
Flight ReviewsWestJet

Review: WestJet 737-700 Premium Class

Matthew Klint Posted onJune 19, 2024June 19, 2024 7 Comments

an airplane at an airport

From Toronto to Bridgetown we flew WestJet and I splurged for Premium Class, a product WestJet stops short of calling business class, but certainly seemed like business class to me.

WestJet 737-700 Premium Class Review (YYZ- BGI)

I booked the ticket for $620, about a $200 premium over an economy class ticket. For a five-hour flight, I thought that was a reasonable exchange. Typically I will book directly with the airline, but I booked via Orbitz because Orbitz makes it very easy to cancel within 24 hours (sometimes longer) and I wasn’t sure if I was going to take WestJet or Air Canada. WestJet also has a 24-hour cooling-off period (except for same-day bookings), but since I had never booked with WestJet before and knew how easy it would be with Orbitz if I had to cancel, I booked via the online travel agency.

Check-In

We checked in for our flight online the night before, but I checked in at the counter at O’Dark Early at Toronto Pearson Terminal 3 to see if I would be offered a lounge pass. Regular check-in lines were crazy despite it being 5:30 am, but the Premium check-in line was empty. And the answer was no: WestJet Premium guests do not get lounge access (Business Class guests on longhaul flights do receive lounge access).

people standing in a terminal

a sign in a airport

a sign in a airport

a screens on a wall

a child with a luggage bag in a airport

Boarding

Boarding began right on schedule, 40 minutes before takeoff. I’ve got to say, I do not mind Toronto Pearson, but I found the WestJet gate area depressing.

a group of people in an airport terminal

a child standing next to a man at an airport check in machine

a blue and white sign with white text

an airplane at an airport
Beautiful morning in YYZ

WestJet 2512
Toronto (YYZ) – Bridgetown (BGI)
Friday, February 9
Depart: 8:30 AM
Arrive: 2:50 PM
Duration: 05hr, 20min
Distance: 2,424 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Seat: 1D (Premium Class)

Onboard, we were welcomed by a pair of flight attendants who were chatting in the forward galley.

Seat

The WestJet 737-700 has three rows in Premium Class arranged in a 2-2 configuration, similar to the business class (marketed as “first class” seats on US carriers). The Recaro CL4710 seats are not the most comfortable but were not bad for the daytime journey to Barbados. Seats are 20 inches wide with 38 inches of legroom and a recline of five inches. However, our side of the first row (1D/AF) had a lot of extra legroom.

an airplane with seats and a few bottles of water

the inside of an airplane

a person standing in a chair next to a pair of seats

a seat in an airplane

the inside of an airplane

a person's feet in a pair of shoes

a person's feet in a white wall

A universal power outlet with USB-A charger was located in the center console and there was a small mesh storage container on each side of the console for personal belongings.

a black electrical outlet with a blue light

The overhead passenger service unit included individual air vents.

a ceiling with a panel and air vent

While the cabin had a rather drab and dated look, it was clean.

Food + Drink

A small bottle of water was waiting at each seat in Premium Class.

two plastic bottles on a tray

Shortly after takeoff, Premum passengers were offered a warm moist towelette and the table was set for breakfast, including a paper placemat and metal cutlery wrapped in a disposable napkin.

a hand holding a white tissue

a paper on a table

Next, two snacks were served: pretzels and a chocolate biscuit. Sort of an odd appetizer to breakfast, but…

a group of packages of chocolates on a table

Next, menus were offerred.

a hand holding a piece of paper

I ordered scrambled eggs (with turkey sausage and zucchini + carrot breakfast fritters) while my son Augustine ordered Belgian waffles (with vanilla mascarpone, pecans, and an orange-cranberry compote). Both breakfast choices were served with a packaged muffin, fresh fruit bowl, and yogurt.

a tray of food on a table

a plate of food with a sausage and eggs

a bowl of fruit and cheese

a muffin and fruit on a tray

a breakfast on a table

a plate of waffles and jam

a boy eating food on an airplane

WestJet services “McCafe” coffee from MacDonalds, which was tolerable, but I stopped at one cup.

Before landing, a snack box was offered that included a granola bar, quinoa – dark chocolate coffee, cashews, and a mint.

a box and a glass of water on a table

a box of food on a table

Beverages were free-flowing. I skipped alcohol, but there was a selection of beer, wine, and spirits available, plus Prosecco (Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Gold).

Service

Three flight attendants were onboard and all were pleasant. The lead flight attendant working in Premium Class was attentive, which I gauge by how often the cabin is monitored for beverage refills. I stayed well-hydrated on this flight.

a close up of a sign

IFE + Wi-Fi

Very annoyingly, the wi-fi was broken. I had planned for that by getting my essential work done, but wanted to get ahead on my writing during the flight and that became much more difficult to do so without the internet. Flight attendants were apologetic, but it really made me wish I had flown Air Canada instead…

a woman looking out of an airplane window
The signal was never acquired…perhaps because we were overwater?

The intranet system worked and a wide selection of movies and TV shows was available.

a screenshot of a weather forecast
a screenshot of a cellphone
a screenshot of a movie series
a screenshot of a movie

It was also a beautiful day outside:

a plane parked at an airport

an airplane flying in the sky

an airplane flying in the sky
Looks like JetBlue to me, but I’m not sure. Any guesses?

a boy looking out of an airplane window

a view of the ocean from an airplane window
Window panes had seen better days

a aerial view of a city by the ocean

an airplane flying over a city

Lavatory

Premium Class passengers can use a lavatory in the front of the aircraft. I liked the soap from Rocky Mountain Soap Company, an Alberta-based company.

a sink and toilet in a bathroom

a sink in an airplane

a soap dispenser on a counter

a sign on a wall

CONCLUSION

We landed about a half hour early just as a Copa flight was pulling up. We bounded down the airstairs and breezed through passport control in under five minutes.

an airplane on the tarmac

a group of people boarding an airplane

a building with a large roof and palm trees

people walking on a walkway with blue pillars and a building

a check in area with blue barriers

The truth is that WestJet Premium is not worth the premium. It was nice…I liked it and would be happy to fly it again…but I would not pay so much for it next time. Furthermore, I like the Air Canada lounges in Toronto, especially the Air Canada Café, which makes what is served onboard much less important.

But I chose this flight because I needed to be on-time into Bridgetown (and not miss my boat), and I arrived early. Mission accomplished.

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article American Airlines Lost Her Luggage. She Found It In A Hollywood Homeless Encampment
Next Article Union Tells Pilots To Stop Using The Word “Cockpit” And Other “Negative” Terms

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Delta Air Lines A321neo Economy Class Review

    Review: Delta Air Lines A321neo Economy Class

    May 14, 2025
  • United Airlines 777-200 Polaris Business Class Review

    Review: United Airlines 777-200 Polaris Business Class

    April 26, 2025
  • a row of seats in an airplane

    Review: Royal Air Maroc 737-800 Economy Class

    April 22, 2025

7 Comments

  1. Derek Reply
    June 19, 2024 at 5:45 pm

    All airlines should be selling their recliner front cabin as premium economy, not first or business. Domestic F is a premium economy product

    This would also allow connecting pax to avoid a connecting leg in economy when booking a long haul premium economy ticket

  2. RMD Reply
    June 19, 2024 at 8:12 pm

    WestJet is currently costing a premium seat on YYC to FCO flight in October at $5500. You read that right. We need more competition out West. Your premium seat was inexpensive as there is competition in the East.
    And I agree WestJet premium is not worth it, instead of paying 5500 I booked a larger seat in economy both ways, added additional checked baggage both ways. Total cost? $1800. Insane

  3. Zara Reply
    June 19, 2024 at 8:47 pm

    I stopped flying Westjet since it was sold to a private company and your right the westjet departure gate is depressing in Toronto, I think there departure gate in Vancouver is depressing too.
    I know Canadians trash air Canada but I actually really like it both for domestic and international! I just wish they would stop serving the terrible vegan pasta in their lounges.

  4. Jerry Reply
    June 19, 2024 at 10:50 pm

    You forgot to mention that WestJet partners with the greatest, most premium airline in the world. Just knowing you could have earned valuable SkyMiles should have improved your experience. The only thing that could have made your YYZ-BGI flight better would have been connecting in MSP.

  5. Aaron Reply
    June 20, 2024 at 5:58 am

    Was the food decent at least? It does look a bit better than your standard breakfast while flying in North America.

    “The truth is that WestJet Premium is not worth the premium. It was nice…I liked it and would be happy to fly it again…but I would not pay so much for it next time.”

    Just curious but what would be your price point cut off for this service? And had lounge access been included, would that change your assessment on whether it was worth it or not?

  6. T- Reply
    June 20, 2024 at 9:31 am

    I like WestJet when flying into and within Canada. WestJet is far less corporate and more personable in my experiences. I wonder if it would have been a better experience aboard a newer 737Max. It is true however that WestJet has lost some of its uniqueness and difference. I do feel for those flying in Western Canada. With fares that high it’s a wonder that people are putting up with it.

  7. FNT Delta Diamond Reply
    June 21, 2024 at 2:42 pm

    WestJet at Toronto is really, really pathetic these days as the airline has essentially pulled out of Toronto and Eastern/Atlantic Canada with the exception of a few key routes and some beach routes. Before the pandemic, WestJet and Delta had plans to have an extensive partnership with Delta dumping Americans in Toronto for onward flights on WestJet. To the best of my knowledge, the only WestJet lounge is in Calgary, where they’ve now (thanks to government subsidies) focused their airline on Western Canada. The wine selection has been awful forever. When I last flew them from Toronto to Fredericton, it was on a turboprop without even a sink in the lavatory. 661 miles on a turboprop. The “business class” had no meal and not even snacks. You got instant coffee, a soda and maybe a wine if there was wine catered. It was truly awful. I’m, unfortunately, flying them later this month when it’s the only option. I paid for the “premium” for one segment; Calgary to Los Angeles. Delta books that into Z class, which is the same as domestic first-class.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for May

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • Trump Qatar 747-8
    Gift Or Grift? Trump Bets On Qatari 747-8 For Air Force One May 22, 2025
  • United Airlines Domestic Check-In Cutoff
    United Airlines Adjusts Check-In Window For Domestic Flights May 22, 2025
  • Delta Sky Club ATL E Review
    Review: Delta Sky Club Atlanta (ATL) – Concourse E May 22, 2025
  • Influencer Dog United Airlines
    Unreal: Influencer Brings Her Massive Great Dane “Service Dog” On United Airlines Flight May 21, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • a room with a table and benches
    Where To Smoke At Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) April 26, 2025
  • United Airlines Polaris Lounge Chicago Review
    Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago (ORD) May 1, 2025
  • United Airlines Refresh Polaris Lounge Chicago
    First Look: United Airlines Reopens Renovated Polaris Lounge In Chicago (ORD) April 29, 2025
  • a hand holding a blue card
    Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K Bonus Offer Ending Soon May 2, 2025

Archives

May 2025
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Apr    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.