I’ve got a trip from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) coming up and two flight options…I need your help deciding on which routing to take.
WestJet Premium Or Air Canada Economy?
Air Canada has a flight via Montreal (YYZ) in economy class for about $200. I like Air Canada because it is Star Alliance and what I like about this particular itinerary is that since the first sector is a a domestic flight, I can use the Air Canada Café, a lounge that I love.
I also like that Air Canada sells leftover business class meals in economy class and has seatback screens, particularly because my son will be coming with me on this trip. Both flights would be on a 737 MAX 8.
Plus, I’d earn miles and EQDs toward my Premier 1K status with United (though not very much since it is a discounted fare).
Meanwhile, WestJet has a nonstop 737-800 flight with space in its Premium class (I’d say the product looks closer to business class…but I’ve never flown it) for $600. It would probably be a no-brainder to try it if it were traveling alone, but since my son will be with me that doubles the cost.
He’s 7 years old…he hardly needs a premium seat. Then again, when else will I ever going to be able to fly WestJet? It seems to me a good opportunity to review a product that is not widely reviewed.
Ultimately, either option will probably do the job well.
CONCLUSION
WestJet nonstop in Premium or Air Canada economy with a stop? Seems like a no-brainer until you consider the WestJet flight is 3x the cost of the Air Canada flight.
Ultimately, this is not about cost as much as it is about whether the extra cost is worthwhile. I don’t mind paying $600 x 2 instead of $200 x 2…I’ve never flown WestJet and although this is not the 787 Dreamliner, it would give me a chance to sample a new carrier and avoid a stop in Montreal (my least favorite Canadian airport).
Plus, it lets me sleep in an hour later and gets me to my destination an hour earlier…and I don’t have a lot of room for delays.
I really enjoyed the discussion surrounding my upcoming trip to Tahiti and would appreciate any advice you can offer concerning two carriers I rarely get to fly.
image: WestJet
Give us something new to read about!
What do you value most? Your time or your money?
I’d value my time more than my money, especially if I’m travelling with little ones. Also, a direct flight doesn’t have potential connection issues. For that I’d go with WJ.
In terms of product: WJ in Y+/C is decent but nothing special, same with AC in Y. So if the product is important to you, then the upgrade to WJ premium for the product alone is not worth it, since its a 800 Dollar premium for the two of you (and for that you could get loads of exit row seats in Y, massive amounts of snacks and drinks, and even a hotel room in case of IROPS). So if you value your money, go with AC.
The nonstop. Or YUL be sorry you didn’t!
Bravo
WestJet sells their domestic F cabin as PE. It is, however, the exact same product as domestic F
Why don’t all airlines sell domestic F as PE, since it IS PE?
From a parental standpoint, I think the Air Canada flight would be a better educational tool to teach a 7 year old. I have 13 year old boy and I am saving a premium experience for him when he turns 18. The choice of Air Canada has nice benefits also and doesn’t appear to be a sub-standard experience. If the Westjet opportunity did not exist, you would probably be quite satisfied with Air Canada. Either way just flying with your son is a gift in itself. Just pick one and don’t look back. Cheers.
Why not WestJet in Y?
Sold out.
I love the Air Canada Cafe too, but given the layover with AC at YUL and the opportunity to fly Westjet Premium, I’d go for WS. Note though that WS doesn’t come with lounge access like Air Canada, though you can use your Priority Pass to access the Plaza Premium lounge at YYZ. Westjet Premium is definitely akin to US domestic first class. Same type of seat (no screen though) and meal service with priority check-in, luggage and boarding.
Not sure where you got this but WestJet Domestic/Transborder Premium does come with lounge access. In YYZ you get access to Plaza Premium. Having said that, the plaza premium in YYZ terminal 3 Transborder is particularly awful and in no way remotely comparable to the AC Cafe
I flew YEG-MSP in WS premium last December and could only access the Plaza Premium lounge at YEG with my priority pass. Also, their website section on “Airport Lounges” only lists the following as eligible for lounge access: Platinum, Gold or Silver members. Guests seated in business on 787-9 service.
If you look at the “Premium” cabin section on the website it also does not mention lounge access as a benefit. Whereas it does mention it explicitly as a benefit for Business Class travelers (long-haul 787 wide-body).
Maybe I missed it, but what’s your final destination? That would be helpful
That’s being withheld for my own privacy right now.
WestJet Premium is a very pleasant product which is comparable to US domestic First Class (although it lacks entertainment screens.) The cabin is small and the service is very pleasant. I highly recommend it if you’re interested!
Air Canada – best value for your money. You already said your son doesn’t need premium seat, you’ve given yourself an answer. 🙂 Enjoy Canada trip.
Getting your points sounds great until you consider that AC has a terrible on time record (63 percent) of any North American carrier. If you miss your connection with a 7 year old in tow you might live to regret your decision. Take the non stop.
I generally avoid airlines like WestJet, but– nonstop flight, better timing, and premium cabin… I’d consider it.
You don’t mention your destination, which might be helpful. I haven’t been able to figure out which destination WestJet serves nonstop out of YYZ that AirCanada doesn’t, that is also served nonstop from YUL by Air Canada. Perhaps somewhere in the Caribbean?
I would look at the history of those airlines in terms of cancellations and delays on those routes to help make the choice too.
Lastly, for a guy who does what you do, experiencing a carrier’s premium product that you have not previously flown would seem to carry a lot of weight here unless this is really a “family first” kind of mission– almost anyone who has ever flown anywhere has a pretty good idea what they’re going to get in economy on Air Canada. WestJet’s premium cabin on the other hand, is a far less known product.
With what you have shared, I’d favor the WestJet flight,
On short flights from YUL to YYZ, J meals aren’t sold to Y passengers.
WestJet Premium Economy is pretty similar to what Air Canada sells as Business, or whatever the US3 call “first”. At 3x the cost, times 2 people, it’s a tougher decision.
You should get a meal in WestJet Premium Economy, but there’s only streaming to your device for entertainment or wifi (free with Boingo CC benefits). If I remember correctly, AC is still working on their Max8 wifi rollout.
There’s probably value in the non-stop, although probably also depends how long the connection in YYZ is. A tough decision for sure, no clear cut answer.
WestJet IROPS recovery is worse than AC IMO, but you’ve also got that AC connection… at this point, I’m overthinking it, and would just pick the direct flight.
Westjet is Worstjet in my experience. They do not follow “normal” conventions. Took them to Mexico last February 2023. First attempt the flight left early so missed that. Pitch of seats is smallest ever. It is not a mainstream carrier as they purport to be, rather a poor excuse for a cattle bus. Vowed to never, ever, fly on Westjet again. I will pay more to fly any other airline.
Air Canada is really good in Business Class. Go that way and have decent treatment; it’s a reflection of how you perceive yourself. Be good to yourself and maintain self-respect.
Generally speaking I really like Air Canada. The service and catering even on short routes is quite good. Also, YUL is much more pleasant than YYZ.
If you haven’t tried WestJet before, I would check it out. I have flown them in premium several times this year from IAH-YYC and have been impressed with their catering. You don’t mention your destination but I assume it’s long enough for a meal in premium. If so, I say go for it. It’s non-stop and I find the catering on WestJet comparable to Air Canada but better than all of the US airlines for sure. They provide menus and even a snack box after the main meal service on longer flights.
Flight is over five hours.
With a kid accompanying you, I would choose Air Canada with their seatback entertainment. Westjet relying on you bringing your own device to stream to is a big negative in my experience. Plus I guess I have learned over long experience to much prefer Air Canada over Westjet in terms of passenger comfort.
I flew WestJet Premium RSW-YYZ a few years ago; you can read the review on my site if you like. It’s closer to domestic F than true J, though I found the experience good overall. Good service, surprisingly good food, comfortable seat.
My opinion when traveling with a 7-year old is that connections = bad news. You may enjoy the thrill of tight connections, but it’s brutal with the kids (and given AC’s abysmal on-time performance, chances are you’ll end up having to run in YUL). I’d take the nonstop; to me the extra cost is worth the stress relief. But to each his own.
Did you also consider the new YYZ-LAX flight on Porter? They also have a quasi-business class on their E195s called Reserve. I believe it is the same seat as economy but with legroom and a free meal.
Very perceptive of my reason to travel to YYZ! 😉
“Ultimately, this is not about cost as much as it is about whether the extra cost is worthwhile. I don’t mind paying $600 x 2 instead of $200 x 2…” Then the answer is simple. We need a WestJet review!
I fly both WS and AC heavily each year, roughly 110 segments on AC and 60 WS last year.
I prefer AC generally because they have a much better loyalty program but for the sake of this blog, I’d love to see you review WS.
Their seats are a little weird, don’t have tons of leg support on the front of the seat but the service is good and their food is usually a lot nicer than AC up front.
Give us WS please!
Westjet may have been founded as an LCC, but now it’s a mainstream carrier that just acquired a vacation airline. For a 5 hour flight, and skipping a stop in Montreal, even I would take the WJ flight (as an Air Canada Aeroplan member).
It was a shocker to me when I flew an expensive economy class fare on AC within Canada and only got 82 United Mileage Plus miles each way. In past years, one might get 358 miles or even 500 miles. This is the future of frequent flyer program, few miles earned, high award prices.
I would generally recommend choosing the Westjet nonstop but the savings for the Air Canada flight is quite a bit. I would fly that.
Montreal is yul not yyz. Also what is a no-brainder?
I would gladly pay extra for a non stop flight. In flight entertainment? You already have a phone or tablet so there is no hassle. Just log in using the app and you are golden. Or download some stuff and avoid needing the app.
Seatbacks are not great as you can’t adjust the display, also bad when people recline. Ac service is garbage.
I laughed that you said it’s great they sell the un used business class meals. If they were great they would just provide them on a first come basis.
During my recent trip to/from South America, two of total eight flights I took were AC, they were the only airline delayed. Three hours delay for my first leg YYZ- IAH ( Mechanical issue, then carting issue, and last toilet issue). The return flight EWR-YYZ had 1.5 hours delay.
Both flights scheduled for evening departure.
Good luck if you have evening flights with AC!
I’m Canadian and fly these 2 about 90% of the time. My 2 cents:
– WestJet is a low cost carrier that is trying to (or has?) transitioned to be a full service carrier. A pretty unique proposition
– you cover Star Alliance quite regularly by virtue of your UA status. WS is increasingly becoming a frequent DL partner so I think it makes sense for your US readers to have review about what to expect
– the direct flight is gonna be easier with kiddo in tow
1 thing I will say is that WS premium gets you into Plaza Premium. The Plaza in the US Transborder area of YYZ terminal 3 is one of the worst I’ve seen and will no way come remotely close to the pax-ex in the Air Canada Cafe
Appreciate this – it’s a morning flight so I hope that if I take WS I’ll ahve a full breakfast onboard and won’t have to worry about the lounge. How is the coffee onboard?
At Westjet we serve McCafe Coffee!! Everybody onboard loves it. Yes! You will be served a full hot and fresh breakfast, the options are Beligan Waffle or Scrambled Eggs along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There will also be a snack box provided later on in the flight, as you said it’s a 5+ hrs flight.
Thanks. I lean toward this option not because I want to spend the extra money, but because I really cannot afford to be late to my destination and this maximizes my chances of reaching there in time.
Either I’m losing my mind or I become a terrible reader because I’ve read this thing twice. First off it’s written poorly because you do not discuss your destination. Secondly they’re both s*** Airlines so it really doesn’t matter. You certainly aren’t going to get much service on WestJet. You’re not going to get much service on Air Canada either. We suffer the consequences of a government who protects Airlines due to the pressure of their lobbyists and won’t hold them accountable. A government that pretends they’re protecting the consumer when they’re actually doing dick squat. So save your $400 in fly Air Canada.
I know I failed to mention the destination – it is because I generally don’t write about where I am going before I go there…too many strange people who have tried to hurt me over the years and this time I am taking my son along.
Sorry that wasn’t clear in my post
Montreal = YUL; Toronto = YYZ.
WS are a hot mess right now and their in house FFP is caca. You can however get DL Sky Miles on them. Unless its trans Atlantic WS is not worth 3 times AC.
I have flown WestJet 737 in premium and I am also a frequent flyer on Air Canada on all classes including the 737 max 8.
I don’t think the price premium for WestJet is worth it as they have no TV screens, seats can be tough after a few hours. On air Canada you can choose a preferred seat and there are plenty of them on the 737 max 8.
Now the twist: if Air Canada business class is not selling that well (check expertflyer), you could book economy and bid for an upgrade (you can go with the lowest amount or lowest +10$). 48 hours before you will know if you have been upgraded, it might be cheaper than the 600$ for westjet. Air Canada has tv screens and new seats across their 737 max 8 (they are retrofitting wifi on the 737 but you have a low chance of getting wifi before the end of the year)
The only caveat is that you need to have a good margin for connection in case of delays (so minimum 2 hours) unless you are connecting to one of the high frequency routes (YYZ-YUL)
Good points and not only would the connection in YUL be only 90 minutes, but I had assumed there would be wi-fi on the flight, which is quite important to me. It’s another good data point in making my decision.
As an AC SEMM I recommend WS. I’ve never visited the AC Cafe thing downstairs, but I think the PPL in YYZ T3 is alright. PD might also be an option?
Will be flying Porter to Toronto, but PD doesn’t serve where we are heading next.
It’s the LUCK of the draw. Each flight has its own ‘fate’ and you never know what you’re going to get. Although I am a Star Alliance and Air Canada Aeroplan member and I’m good with that.
Correction: United Mileage Plus member, which is part of the Star alliance.