My first-ever WestJet flight in “Premium Class” on a 737-700 from Toronto to Bridgetown was a mixed bag. That said, unlike on Porter I see a big difference between premium class (premium economy, more akin to a regional business class) and economy class.
WestJet 737-700 Premium Class – My First Impressions
I considered sleeping in an extra two hours (waking up at 5:30 am instead of 3:30 am) since my five-hour flight from Toronto to Bridgetown was on a wi-fi equipped aircraft and departing at 8:00 am ET meant the flight would be at the peak of my work day.
But ever since I was burned on a United flight from Chicago – Frankfurt many years ago (I delayed critical work only to find the wi-fi did not work onboard), I plan for the wi-fi to be down on every single flight I take.
You see where this is going…
The wi-fi internet did not work (the intranet network with streaming in-flight entertainment did). It was a long flight…
The flight attendant was quite apologetic and my response was, “Well, perhaps it will do me some good to disconnect for a few hours. I should do that more often.”
She agreed.
Everything else about the flight was quite nice. The seats are comfortable and in a 2-2 instead of a 3-3 configuration. While not the most comfortable business class seats I have sat in (they could have used more padding), the legroom for 1D/1F was excellent.
Breakfast was served after takeoff with a choice between eggs or waffles. I liked the waffles and Augustine liked the eggs.
The three flight attendants working the flight were lovely and the purser who worked the Premium cabin was very attentive.
We arrived 30 minutes early into Bridgetown.
I’ll have more details about the IFE content and other amenities onboard in my full review, but I have to give the flight a mixed review because of the non-functioning wi-fi. That said, everything else about the flight was quite nice and I appreciated the extra space.
Fully expect the snorkel pictures you took snorkeling Bottom Bay.
I’m on top of it! 😉
Hi Matthew,
I flew WestJet Premium the first week of February, Merida to Toronto, and I was very impressed.
I did have full Wifi altho there was a cost involved, I think maybe $20., but worth it.
The service was impeccable (Juan),
The food was tasty, and I would definitely fly WestJet Premium again.
Totally recommend.
Hi Elaine, glad you enjoyed it!
I assume that your full review will not cover this aspect, so I’ll ask it here: Do you think you made the right decision overall to do Westjet premium nonstop vs Air Canada economy one stop?
No. Both Air Canada flights arrived early and although the Plaza Premium Lounge in YYZ wasn’t bad, I would have loved to go back to the Air Canada Café.
Flew them a few times to YYZ and back from LGA, mostly on the 737-700. Found the airline unremarkable and in need of complete brand refresh, which seems to have only been extended to the MAX and 787 fleets inside and out. That said, crew were friendly and flights on time. All I can really ask for on a short hop.
All airlines should be selling domestic F as premium economy.
WestJet has the branding spot on, as that is what the product is
Just read your article about WiFi not working to Frankfurt. I was really hoping it would finally say “accepted”!
No WiFi….you were with your son who won’t be young forever….. a good time to disconnect. A blessing in disguise?
We have had an amazing time just chatting throughout this trip.
I have to say that I look forward to not distracting myself with internet access during flights. I will only use inflight WiFi if it’s complimentary, and even then I still prefer to read a physical book which can be used during takeoff and landing without any issues.
my take on the WiFi issue is this.. To me, I think there’s a segment of the passengers who really do need it, reply on it, and in some cases book explicitly due to its availability.. to that end, I can see an issue with a “service” being advertised as available, yet it turns out not to be – for whatever reason (controllable or not)
On the other hand, I also think that in the “big picture” for many passengers – and I’ll bet that it’s actually more that 50%, the Wi-Fi issue is a secondary issue if an issue at all.
but.. where I think this should be framed is this.. a service element that is advertised – and therefore implicitly part of the decision to book or not – but not available .
I think some of this will go away in time as the technology, connectivity and overall system reliability improves.. but for now, I kind of feel like carriers need to perhaps tread a bit lighter when speaking to their onboard connectivity.. as I feel that the overall reliability isn’t perhaps quite where it needs to be for it to be advertised so prominently.
I flew WestJet last year Halifax – Paris – Halifax in Premium Economy. I’ve never experienced a more uncomfortable seat, on both flights. I could literally feel a steel bar under the thin cushion. I resorted to sitting on folded blankets. The cabin service east and westbound was ‘casual’ to say the least; empty glasses left on tray tables for hours… meals just plunked down by the bored-looking flight attendants. It’s back to Air France and connecting in Montreal for me!
I’m Canadian and fly a lot domestically on both AC and WS in premium cabins. I was always a big fan of WS until they were purchased by a private equity firm called Onex a few years ago. Since then the quality has gone in the toilet. The fare difference between AC business and WS PE is usually negligible so most of my business goes to AC now.