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A review of WestJet economy on the Boeing 737 from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary

Editor's Note

Quick take: WestJet economy class is a no-frills passenger experience that could be worth it for budget-minded travelers — but only if you get your tickets for the right price.

• A la carte food and beverage options were reasonably priced
• Wi-Fi speed was decent, and WestJet's digital entertainment had a great movie selection
• Efficient, if not overly warm, service
• Cabin interior was dirty and had very worn seats
• Drink cups were very small and beverage service was limited, so you may want to bring your own water or beverages aboard
• Only one attendant at the check-in desk for non-priority passengers led to the line moving slowly

Looking to travel to Canada, eh?

Aside from Air Canada , WestJet should be on your radar. As Canada's second-largest airline, this carrier offers a no-frills, low-cost customer experience. But while some may consider WestJet a "budget airline," the carrier's amenities still surpass that of low-cost U.S. airlines like Spirit and Frontier .

Since I prefer nonstop, round-trip flight deals over cheaper, layover-filled itineraries, I found myself perusing WestJet's website. Looking to fly from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary, Alberta, in economy, I found round-trip, nonstop flights for just $292. To note, this nonstop flight route does not operate year-round with the same frequency.

Seated in economy class for roughly five-and-a-half hours, here's how my overall WestJet experience went.

How to book economy on WestJet

WestJet Boeing 737s like the one I flew have only economy or premium economy seats on board; therefore, there are no business- or first-class fares available for flights operated by this aircraft.

WestJet sells three types of economy fares on a Boeing 737 from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Calgary International Airport (YYC): Basic, Econo and EconoFlex. Here is what is included with each.

WestJet's baggage policy allows passengers to have one personal item and one carry-on item for free when booking in economy, but its size requirements are a bit smaller than other similar airlines — more on that later.

As a points and miles enthusiast, I initially tried to book my flight via an award redemption. Though Delta is a codeshare partner of WestJet, I could not find nonstop award availability using Delta SkyMiles. Next, I checked the prices on the Chase and Amex travel portals .

The cash price on both travel portals was higher than WestJet was charging directly. However, I had the option to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a fixed rate of 1.5 cents apiece with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® through Chase Travel or my Amex Membership Rewards points for 1 cent apiece via amextravel.com, thanks to carrying The Platinum Card® from American Express .

I typically get more value from these transferable point currencies by transferring them to airline and hotel partners and redeeming them that way; therefore, I decided to save my points for future redemptions since the cash price on the WestJet flight was so low.

However, if you want to use your points for a nonstop WestJet award flight, I recommend using Chase Ultimate Rewards to get the best redemption.

*Editor's note: Price ranges were available at the time of search and can fluctuate based on demand, season and other factors.

Since WestJet had a 20% discount on flights at the time of my booking, I purchased a round-trip, nonstop flight from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary in economy for $292. I used my Amex Platinum card to book my flight since it earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), while my Chase Sapphire Reserve only earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases.

Related: How far in advance can you book a flight?

Checking in and boarding economy on WestJet

Before my flight, I downloaded the WestJet app, easily checked in and obtained my mobile boarding pass.

I typically prefer not to check luggage and fly with a small suitcase as my carry-on bag and my backpack as my personal item.

However, I double-checked the airline's baggage policy because I've never flown with WestJet, and it stated that a backpack with the dimensions of my bag would count as a carry-on bag rather than a personal item. Since I didn't know how strict the airline would be with their bag policy, I decided to prepay $40 one-way for a checked bag because if I were forced to check my backpack or carry-on at the airport, I would be charged an additional $10 anyway.

The WestJet gate agents did not double-check that each customer's bags fit the appropriate personal and carry-on dimensions at the gate, but gate agents at YYC did check on my return flight, so you might not want to take any chances if you're flying with the airline.

At FLL, WestJet does not have a kiosk where customers can check in or print luggage tags and boarding passes. Instead, you must wait in line to drop off your suitcase if you are checking bags. WestJet has a priority check-in lane available to business- and premium economy-ticketed passengers and Platinum, Gold and Silver elite members of its WestJet Rewards program. Since Delta is a partner of WestJet, if you are a Delta Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond Medallion member , you can also access the airline's priority lane.

I do not have status with either loyalty program, nor was I flying in business or premium class, so I got in the non-priority bag drop lane. There was only one WestJet employee servicing this lane, which made the bag drop process a bit slow. While this was not problematic for me since I was the eighth guest in line and arrived two hours before my flight's departure time, it could create extra stress if you find yourself at the very back of a long check-in line with only one attendant.

After swiftly getting through security at Terminal 2 using my Clear Plus membership and TSA PreCheck status, I waited for my flight to start boarding. WestJet participates in TSA PreCheck, so be sure to add your Known Traveler Number before check-in to speed up your security process.

Surprisingly, my flight began boarding 10 minutes before it was scheduled to do so. I've never been on a flight where the boarding process began early. Like most airlines, WestJet boards priority members, including premium economy passengers and those holding elite status with the airline, first in Zone 1. Additionally, Delta Gold Medallion members and above are also able to board in Zone 1.

As an economy passenger seated in the back of the plane, I boarded in Zone 2. Apparently, WestJet boards the back of the plane in Zone 2 and the front of the plane — aside from premium customers — in Zone 3. The overall boarding process was quick and efficient, and we were able to take off about 10 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled 3:30 p.m. departure.

Related: A review of Delta Air Lines in first class on the Airbus A321neo from Los Angeles to Seattle

How comfortable was WestJet economy?

The aircraft for my five-and-a-half-hour flight was on a Boeing 737 with the following seat count and layout in economy.

I was seated in 28E — a middle seat just two rows ahead of the last row on the aircraft. Unfortunately, when I got to my middle seat, I noticed a small, empty alcohol bottle in the seatback pocket, which also had a noticeable crack. Taking a look around, it seemed like all the seats were well worn, and the floors were noticeably dirty with crumbs that I assumed were food. I couldn't help but wonder if they didn't clean the plane at all before we boarded.

If you value flight comfort, economy on WestJet may not be for you. While the economy seat pitch on this Boeing flight is 30 inches — the standard for most airlines — the seat's cushioning was minimal and only reclined about 3 inches. I didn't notice any rips or scuffing on the seats, but the loose fabric and body imprints show that these seats are a bit worn.

Each seat had a USB-A port and a universal plug located just above the seatback pocket. A plug to charge my phone was imperative on this longer flight, as the carrier only offers wireless entertainment to stream on your own devices rather than a seat-mounted inflight entertainment system.

The tray table on my WestJet flight was average size, about 15 to 16 inches wide and easily deployed. While I could comfortably fit my 17-inch laptop on the tray table, it's not ideal for those wanting to enjoy a beverage or eat while using your computer.

WestJet's 737s have three lavatories: one at the front of the plane and two at the back. That made for some lengthy wait times during certain stretches of the flight. Since this flight is more than two hours, I suggest booking at least five rows away from the bathrooms at the back of the plane.

I had moved to the aisle seat before takeoff since no one was sitting there. So, starting about two hours into the flight, there were constantly people standing next to my seat waiting for the facilities. I tried to nap on the plane, but this made it hard with people brushing past me.

Overall, the bathrooms on this WestJet flight felt comparable to other domestic U.S. flights regarding size and cleanliness.

Amenities in WestJet economy

Don't expect many amenities on WestJet economy flights. While there are no seatback screens, WestJet allows you to use your wireless device to watch movies and TV shows for free on its app via Wi-Fi streaming. The airline had a good selection of new movies, including "The Marvels," "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie."

I purchased a Wi-Fi pass that I could use for the entirety of my flight for CA$23.09 (about $17). While inflight Wi-Fi can be spotty no matter which carrier you're flying, my WestJet Connect worked surprisingly well. I was able to watch YouTube videos, send texts, answer work emails and use social media apps with no problem.

Related: Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights

How was the food in WestJet economy?

Inflight food service started about 30 minutes after departure. The crew came around to ask if anyone would like to order from the a la carte menu. Complimentary beverage service began shortly after the crew finished taking passengers' orders from the a la carte menu.

Since this was a nearly six-hour flight, I opted to try the red Thai curry cup with coconut rice and the three-cheese pasta cup with Italian spices for my dinner. These two items each cost about $7.

Unsure of what to expect, I waited as the attendant brought out two microwaved cups of food from Meal of the Moment, a brand that produces instant meals. The red Thai curry was flavorful for being a dehydrated instant meal. However, the three-cheese pasta cup was bland, and the Italian spices created an odd flavor profile when added to what amounted to watered-down instant macaroni and cheese.

If dining on dehydrated instant meals does not sound appetizing, you can also purchase snacks such as a Kit Kat, beef jerky, Pringles and gummy bears.

Aside from WestJet's a la carte menu, economy passengers can choose from a selection of complimentary beverages, including water, juice and sodas, and a free snack — either pretzels or a chocolate biscuit.

Alcoholic beverages, such as a glass of pinot grigio or merlot, cost about $7. Beer, including Coors Light and Molson Canadian, costs about $6.

Customers were not given an entire can of soda or a beverage of their choice. Instead, I had to settle for a small plastic cup filled with ice and a little liquid when I ordered a ginger ale. Perhaps that's WestJet's way of trying to limit bathroom breaks.

After just a few sips, I finished my drink and wanted another. The flight attendants came around twice to pass out complimentary snacks and drinks, and when I asked if I could have both pretzels and a chocolate biscuit, the attendant happily obliged. Beverages aside, at least they were not being stingy on the snacks.

The second inflight service took place a little over an hour before the plane landed. Since there are only two inflight beverage services on this flight and the pour-size is limited, I suggest bringing your own nonalcoholic drinks.

Related: Is United Airlines premium economy worth it to Europe?

Is WestJet economy worth it?

It's true what they say, "You get what you pay for."

My international economy flight to Calgary was bare-bones but still worth it. Though the interior cabin could have been cleaner and better maintained, my seat had enough legroom to sit through my five-and-a-half-hour flight from FLL to YYC. This aircraft reminded me of an older JetBlue or American Airlines plane.

For future WestJet flights, I would make sure to buy snacks and drinks at the airport so I do not have to rely on the inflight service. I would also make a point to keep my devices charged ahead of time in case there are any issues with the in-seat power outlets when I want to stream entertainment.

Overall, if this round-trip economy flight had cost more than $700, I would have been disappointed in the overall customer experience. But because I paid less than $300 for a rather long round-trip journey between two smaller cities, I deplaned satisfied.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story listed the aircraft as a Boeing 737 MAX 8, but it was a 737-800. This has been corrected in the story.

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WestJet flight only we have adjusted our flexible change and cancel policies as destinations and governments change and evolve.

Flexible change/cancel information

Travel requirements can change quickly. Use our tool to verify the travel requirements specific to your client’s itinerary. We recommend checking the requirements before you book and prior to your client’s travel to ensure nothing has changed.

Check requirements

We’ve partnered with AZOVA to provide testing locations in most destinations to make travel easier for your clients.

WestJet and WestJet Vacations strongly recommend that your clients have travel insurance before leaving the country. WestJet Vacations Travel Protection Plan only covers modifications and cancellation of the reservation and is not meant to act like an insurance that offers further coverage to medical expenses or additional fees related to trip interruptions.

Get travel ready client tool kit – Download our Travel Ready kit for your clients

Masks are mandatory throughout public buildings, hotels, airports and in-destination requirements vary. We also mandate that a mask be worn in-flight except consumer food or beverages.

Remind your clients to organize their testing in a timely manner within their scheduled flight or vacation. Our partner Azova is always available to support your clients’ testing needs. {Insert link to AZOVA}

If your clients test positive for COVID-19 while in-destination:

• Advise them to contact their insurance provider and yourself to assist them with alternate arrangements.
• Contact us to organize a change in travel plans
• Advise them to have travel components adjusted until the end of their quarantine time frame.

We have partnered with Calm for your clients to use during their inflight experience. Feel free to try it, invest in your best self, when using Calm users report a boost in well-being. Sleep more and stress less with the #1 app for mental health. Learn more

WestJet was named one of the safest airlines in the world

For the second year in a row, WestJet has been named among the top 10 safest low-cost airlines as rated by  AirlineRatings.com . Drawing on factors such as the airline’s safety initiatives, fleet age and COVID-19 protocols, WestJet’s Safety Above All promise has been recognized as one of the best in the world.    

Give your client’s peace of mind when you add the WestJet Vacations Travel Protection Plan to eligible vacation packages or land-only bookings to destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. Travel Protection Plan offers a one-time waived fee for booking changes and cancellations, the ability to receive a refund* up until 25 days before departure and hurricane and tropical storm protection. Plus, earn 15% commission on eligible bookings when you add Travel Protection Plan. Learn more

WestJet Vacations hotel partners have COVID-19 plans and protocols in place to ensure the safety of your clients. Please visit the hotel partners website to see the various programs that are available.

COVID precautions in vacation destinations

When your clients arrive at their destination, they receive a welcome package that includes information regarding a meet and greet session with their WestJet Vacations destination representative where they are provided with their contact details. It is important for the guest to keep this information on hand in case they need assistance while they are in destination. The WestJet Vacations destination representative is their best resource for assisting them with any issues in destination; however, the guest or travel agent must still contact us to make any changes to their itinerary.

If a guest advises they have tested positive for COVID-19 in destination, WestJet Vacations will make every effort to rebook the flight and/or transfer for the affected guest(s).

Guest actions

Direct the guest to contact their insurance provider to find out what is covered for their extended stay. They should also refer to both the local government and the Canadian government’s official websites to obtain the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 restrictions, quarantine requirements and travel advisories.

Should a guest choose to book alternate arrangements for their flight and/or transfer, they are not eligible to receive a refund or credit from WestJet Vacations.

Contact WestJet Vacations to have flight segment released and rebooked. Our Experience Delivery team will work with the In-Destination team with the guest’s in-destination contact information, updated flight and/or accommodation details.

It is important to note that a guest is wholly responsible for their extended stay (e.g., booking, expenses, etc.). Additionally, WestJet Vacations is not responsible for the condition of isolation sections, safety protocols, or service levels of the hotel during the quarantine period. It should be expected that the guest will be required to stay in their room, with limited access beyond their room therefore the experience will differ from the general area and service level of the hotel. WestJet Vacations is not affiliated with the testing facilities in destination, and we cannot guarantee quality, availability, pricing or on-time delivery of COVID-19 tests.

Please note your clients will receive contact email and phone numbers that are reserved exclusively for travelers in-destination. These contacts will connect them with our in-destination teams that will work with our Experience Delivery team and/or Destination Management Company.

Contact information for in-destination representatives

*WestJet Vacations in-destination contacts are not available within all destinations. Please contact the WestJet Vacations Contact Centre if an in-destination representative contact is not listed. The WestJet Vacations Contact Centre is available daily from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. MT visit us online .

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Pre-travel Entry requirements - Sherpa tool Travel requirements can change quickly. Use the Sherpa tool to discover the travel requirements for your specific itinerary. We recommend checking requirements before you book your trip, and prior to travelling. Contact your travel advisor for current entry requirements.  

COVID-19 testing with AZOVA We’ve partnered with AZOVA to provide testing locations in most destinations to make travel easier. Contact your travel advisor for more information.  

Travel insurance WestJet and WestJet Vacations strongly recommend that you have travel insurance before leaving the country and purchase this through your travel advisor. Having the appropriate travel insurance can assist with expenses related to medical costs or additional fees related to trip interruptions such as extending your stay in-destination or changing your original flights. Insurance varies by package and provider and it is best you work with your travel advisor to assist you with your options.  

Helpful tips:

• Check your passport or Government-issued ID to make sure it is not expired
• Download the WestJet app Apple | Google Play
• Check your pre-departure emails
• Ensure that the name on your proof of vaccination matches both the name(s) on your booking and government-issued ID
• Provide your proof of vaccination during online check in by uploading your Smart Health QR Code as a .jpg or .png file
• Plan to arrive at the airport early as gates and/or food & beverage options may have moved
• Pack a mask (or two) as it will be required at the airport, inflight and in-destination
• Pack hand sanitizer  

How to prepare for travel

• Download your Smart Health Card QR Code: https://smarthealth.cards/en/
• Ensure the name on the QR Code matches the name(s) on the booking
• Save your QR Code as an image on your device
• Many provinces provide a PDF, which our system does not accept
• You can save your QR Code as an image by exporting it or taking a screenshot
• Take a screenshot of your original federally issued QR Code (not from your apple wallet)
• Travelling outside of Canada
• You must use ArriveCAN online government of Canada tool before and after your entry to Canada.

At the airport

Getting to the airport We are currently experiencing an increase in processing times due to additional COVID-related requirements. Start your trip earlier to ensure you make it through airport security on time. Arrive at the airport on time for all WestJet departures, we recommend:

• Canadian departures arrive at the airport 150 minutes (2.5 hours) prior to departure.
• International departures arrive at the airport 180 minutes (3 hours) prior to departure.
• While there may be some changes at the airport, one thing has not changed, our WestJetters will be there to assist you.
• If someone is dropping you off or picking you up, they must stay outside.
• Masks are required at all times. Face mask policy.
• Some airports have our new touchless bag tagging stations.
• Enhanced cleaning measures and physical distancing are in place.
• Use the WestJet app for added convenience and to reduce touchpoints on your journey.
• Check-in, get your electronic boarding pass and enjoy Connect – our inflight entertainment system.
• Complete the health questionnaire.   

In the air  

• Window or aisle? Movie or Podcast? You can travel with peace of mind knowing our aircraft are cleaned extensively and frequently and are equipped with HEPA filters, so you can breathe a little easier as you fly with us.
• We are excited to partner with Calm to prioritize your mental wellbeing while inflight. Explore a collection of meditations, relaxation exercises and Sleep Stories, now available on WestJet Connect.
• Our inflight menus can now be viewed on the WestJet app. Depending on your flight, the snack or meal options might be different.

Safety Above All WestJet was named one of the safest airlines in the world for the second year in a row. Drawing on factors such as the airline’s safety initiatives, fleet age and COVID-19 protocols, WestJet’s Safety Above All promise has been recognized as one of the best in the world. Watch our Travel Ready video series.

WestJet Vacations Travel Protection Plan WestJet Vacations Travel Protection Plan allows for increased flexibility with changes and cancellations and provides peace of mind for guests and must be purchased at the time of booking your vacation package. The Travel Protection Plan is available for WestJet Vacation destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.  

Before you leave

Visit your hotel’s website to learn about their health and safety protocols, operational guidelines, and facility availability.  

Transportation

• Complete a quick health screening before boarding the transfer vehicle.
• Masks are required in all shared transportation.
• Shuttles are cleaned and disinfected after each trip.
• Shuttle capacity is limited to support physical distancing.

WestJet Vacations arrival in-destination When you arrive at your destination, you will receive a welcome package that includes information regarding a meet and greet session with your WestJet Vacations destination representative where you are provided with their contact details. It is important for you to keep this information on hand in case you need assistance while you are in-destination. The WestJet Vacations destination representative is your best resource for assisting with any issues in-destination.  

At your hotel or resort WestJet Vacations hotel partners have COVID-19 plans and protocols in place to ensure the safety of your clients. Please contact your travel advisor to learn about the various programs that are available. Some of our hotel partners offer in-destination COVID-19 testing. Be sure to arrange your test early in your trip. COVID precautions in vacation destinations

Testing in WestJet Vacation destinations In the event you are unable to find a lab with AZOVA, onsite COVID-19 testing options are available for Canadians at many hotels in WestJet Vacations destinations, such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Huatulco, Mazatlán, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Barbados. Please confirm with the hotel front desk or guest services for further information.

If you test positive with COVID-19 If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in-destination, WestJet Vacations will make every effort to rebook the flight and/or transfer for you. Contact your travel advisor.

Contact your travel advisor to find out what is covered in your insurance for your extended stay. You should also refer to both the local government and the Canadian government’s official websites to obtain the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 restrictions, quarantine requirements and travel advisories. Contact your travel advisor for assistance in changing your travel plans.

It is important to note that you are responsible for your extended stay (e.g., booking, expenses, etc.). Additionally, WestJet Vacations is not responsible for the condition of isolation sections, safety protocols, or service levels of the hotel during the quarantine period. It should be expected that you will be required to follow local hotel and government restrictions. WestJet Vacations is not affiliated with the testing facilities in destination, and we cannot guarantee quality, availability, pricing or on-time delivery of COVID-19 tests.

WestJet Vacations in-destination contact information Please note you will receive contact email and phone numbers that are reserved exclusively for you while you are in-destination. These contacts will connect you with our in-destination teams that will work with our various departments to try and get your travel plans arranged accordingly.  

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WestJet Announces New Routes from Regina and Edmonton to U.S.

Victoria M. Walker

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New WestJet Routes

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WestJet has just announced new nonstop flight routes between Saskatchewan, Canada, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as Edmonton (YEG) and Atlanta (ATL).

Here’s what you need to know about the new routes and how to book them!

For starters, WestJet will offer year-round daily service between Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) and Regina International Airport (YQR) in Saskatchewan. The new route will allow passengers to access over 70 connections through WestJet’s codeshare with Delta Air Lines .

WestJet says the route is resuming after an 8-year hiatus and is the only airline offering transborder flights from YQR this summer.

Here’s a look at the schedule:

Additionally, the airline will also begin daily service between Edmonton and Atlanta. Here’s a look at that route:

“WestJet is pleased to connect Regina and Minneapolis with new year-round daily service, unlocking key tourism and economic development opportunities for the City of Regina and the surrounding area,” said Andrew Gibbons, Vice President of External Affairs at WestJet.

If you aren’t familiar, WestJet is 1 of Canada’s largest airlines, headquartered in Calgary. The airline was founded in 1996 to give Canadians low-cost flights. Today, WestJet flies to more than 100 destinations throughout North America, Central America , the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.

These include some new routes for the airline, like Calgary (YYC) and Seoul (subject to government approval).

WestJet will fly the De Havilland Dash8 Q400 turboprop plane on the MSP-YQR route, and the Boeing 737 or 737 MAX 8 on the ATL-YEG route.

Flights are live and now available at WestJet.com . Tickets on the MSP-YQR route are cheapest later in the summer, starting around $90 one-way in economy. However, you’ll pay considerably more if you book a business class seat, as tickets cost $470 each way.

Either way, make sure to book your flights with a  travel rewards credit card . Here are some of our favorites:

• The Platinum Card ®  from American Express : 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with the airline or through  Amex Travel  (capped at $500,000 spent in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points)
• The Business Platinum Card ®  from American Express : 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked through Amex Travel
• Chase Sapphire Reserve ® : 5x Ultimate Rewards points on flights booked through the  Ultimate Rewards portal ; 3x points on all other travel purchases
• Chase Sapphire Preferred ®  Card : 5x Ultimate Rewards points on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal; 2x points on all other travel purchases
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : 5x Capital One miles on flights booked through  Capital One Travel ; 2x miles on all other purchases (including travel)

The news of 2 exciting routes between Canada and the U.S. is pretty big news from WestJet. Given the airline’s partnership with Delta, travelers will have even more connections to international destinations!

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

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About Victoria M. Walker

Victoria holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the Howard University School of Communications and is an award-winning journalist, travel reporter, and the founder of the “Carrying On with Victoria M. Walker” newsletter.

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How to Choose the Right WestJet Fare

WestJet offers passengers a choice of different fare types on all flight bookings.

Some fares are cheaper, but don’t come with flexibility or additional benefits. On the other hand, more expensive fares offer flexibility and include benefits such as advance seat selection, change and cancellation options, and free checked baggage.

In This Post

Westjet’s fares, econo , economy member exclusive fares, premium & premiumflex, premium member exclusive fares, business & businessflex, business member exclusive fares.

WestJet has a total of 10 different fare options, outlined as follows:

• Economy  (Basic, Econo, EconoFlex, and Member Exclusive)
• Premium  (Premium, PremiumFlex, and Member Exclusive)
• Business  (Business, BusinessFlex, and Member Exclusive)

It’s important to note that not all fare options will appear for every flight. For example, many WestJet flights don’t have a business class cabin, and on these flights, you won’t have the option to choose Business fares.

This is especially the case with Swoop’s former narrowbody Boeing 737 aircraft, which are fitted entirely with economy seats. With the recent integration of Swoop into WestJet, the defunct ultra-low-cost carrier’s aircraft now service WestJet flights.

When booking a flight, before you’re able to select one of the 10 fare types, you must first search for your desired flight route and date, and then select your desired cabin class.

After you’ve selected the cabin class, the available fare options will appear.

Choosing the best fare type will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, which can change from flight to flight. This means that there’s no single best fare for every situation.

When it comes to choosing the best fare with WestJet, you’ll want to consider the following:

• Flexibility (i.e., changes and cancellations)
• Luggage (checked and carry-on)
• Seat selection fees

Additionally, you’ll want to take stock of whether you have access to any of the following:

• WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard
• WestJet elite status
• WestJet dollars (WSD)
• Companion vouchers

With these in mind, let’s take a closer look at each of the 10 WestJet fare classes.

The four economy fares offered by WestJet include Basic, Econo, EconoFlex, and Member Exclusive .

Basic fares come with the least amount of flexibility, and in fact, you’re not allowed any changes, cancellations, or refunds whatsoever with these fares.

This means that if you book a Basic fare and you need to change your flight, you’ll be completely out of luck unless you have applicable travel insurance.

However, Basic fares tend to cost the least out of all the fare options, so if you prioritize saving money and can live without the flexibility, then booking this fare class may be the best choice for you.

It’s also worth noting that with the Basic fare, you won’t earn any WestJet dollars, and your spending won’t count towards earning elite status with WestJet.

What’s more, if you’re a WestJet elite Silver, Gold, or Platinum member who’d usually enjoy same-day flight changes, complimentary upgrades, or seat changes, your benefits are automatically voided if you select a Basic fare.

You’ll also have to pay for checked bags and seat selection with Basic fares.

The cost to check a bag will depend on whether you prepay, pay during self-service check-in, or pay at airport check-in. The price also fluctuates depending on your destination.

Keep in mind that if you have the WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard, you’re allowed one free checked bag on any WestJet route, even if you booked a Basic fare. You also enjoy free checked baggage if you have WestJet elite status.

Another add-on cost to consider with a Basic fare is seat selection. The privilege of choosing where you sit on your flight will cost you between $5–250 (all figures in CAD) depending on your flight and the type of seat you’d like to select.

If you don’t pay in advance, your seat will be automatically assigned to you at check-in for no additional fee.

Finally, if you have seat selection vouchers by way of WestJet elite status, you can use those to get around having to pay for seat selection with Basic fares.

Who should book Basic fares?

Despite the restrictions and lack of benefits, Basic fares may still be the best choice in certain scenarios.

First off, if you know you won’t need to change or cancel your flight, then it may make sense for you to enjoy the lowest possible price. However, if your travel plans are still up in the air, a Basic fare limits your ability to make changes or to cancel.

A Basic fare can also be a good choice if you don’t travel with checked bags, or you already get free checked bags with your WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard or WestJet elite status. In these situations, there’s no need to pay for a higher-priced fare just to access free checked bags.

Lastly, if you don’t care about accumulating WestJet dollars, or you’re not interested in earning elite status with WestJet, then Basic fares may be the best choice.

Prior to booking a Basic fare, you’ll want to compare the amount you’ll save by booking the lower fare against how much it’d cost you for any checked baggage and seat selection fees.

If you’re looking to travel while paying as little as possible, and don’t need additional baggage or seats, WestJet’s Basic fares may well be right for you.

WestJet’s Econo fare comes with slightly more benefits and flexibility than the Basic fare.

For starters, you’ll have the option to change or cancel your flight, albeit for a fee.

Both change and cancellation fees are charged per direction, per person, except for flights to and from Europe, where change and cancellation fees are charged per transaction, per person.

To change or cancel an Econo fare, it’ll cost $100–118 (CAD) for all flights between Canada and non-European or Asian destinations. For flights between Canada and Europe or Asia, a change or cancellation will cost between $150–177.

In both cases, you’ll also be responsible for any fare difference.

If you choose to cancel your flight, you won’t‌ receive a refund to your original form of payment, but you’ll instead receive a refund to your WestJet Travel Bank.

You can then use your WestJet Travel Bank funds to purchase future WestJet flights, but it’s important to note that your Travel Bank funds expire one year from the date of your cancelled flight.

With Econo fares, you’ll have to pay for checked bags for flights in Canada, the US, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe. If you’re travelling to Asia, you’ll enjoy one free piece of checked luggage.

Seat selection with an Econo fare costs between $5–250 – the same as a Basic fare.

Lastly, with Econo fares, you’ll earn WestJet dollars, and your spending is eligible to help you qualify for WestJet elite status .

Who should book Econo fares?

You should book Econo fares over Basic fares if you’d like to keep costs down, but still want the option to change or cancel your trip for a fee.

Plus, if you’re a frequent flyer with WestJet, you should book Econo fares at the minimum, since your flight will contribute towards qualifying for status.

Econo could also be a better choice than Basic if you’re flying to Asia or Europe, as the Econo fare provides free checked bags when flying to or from Asia, and checked bags are significantly cheaper when flying to Europe.

Again, with this, you’ll need to crunch the numbers to see if the extra cost you’ll pay for the Econo fare is less than the cost of checking bags, which you may otherwise enjoy as a credit card or status benefit.

WestJet EconoFlex fares come with the most flexibility and benefits for an economy WestJet ticket.

Changes and cancellations to your ticket won’t cost you any additional fees with this fare class. However, cancellations will still result in a credit to your WestJet Travel Bank instead of a refund to your original form of payment.

With this fare, you’ll also receive one free checked bag on all flights, and you’ll be able to make your seat selection for free.

Lastly, you’ll be able to earn WestJet dollars , and your fare purchase will count towards earning WestJet elite status .

Who should book EconoFlex fares?

You should book an EconoFlex fare if you’re uncertain about your travel plans, and you don’t want to pay extra to change or cancel your flight.

An EconoFlex fare should also be considered if you’re checking a bag, and don’t have the WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard or WestJet elite status, both of which would come with one free checked bag.

Once again, you’ll want to do the math to determine if the amount of money you’ll save with the free checked bag, potential cancellation or change fee, and seat selection fee makes up for the additional cost you’ll pay to book an EconoFlex fare over one of the lower Economy fare classes.

Member Exclusive fares are entirely different from all other WestJet fares.

To start, you can only book Member Exclusive fares with WestJet dollars , and you’ll need to have enough WestJet dollars to cover the entire base fare, after which you’ll have to pay the taxes and fees with cash or from your WestJet Travel Bank.

Member Exclusive fares follow the same checked baggage and seat selection fee structure as Econo fares, and they have the same change and cancellation policies and fees as well.

However, a difference is that if you cancel a Member Exclusive ticket, you won’t receive a refund entirely to your WestJet Travel Bank. Instead, the WestJet dollars that were used for the base fare of the ticket will be refunded back to WestJet dollars, and the portion paid for the taxes and fees will be refunded to your Travel Bank.

Keep in mind that WestJet dollars don’t have to be used exclusively on Member Exclusive fares – you’re welcome to use your WestJet dollars on any fare.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that you won’t accumulate WestJet dollars on Member Exclusive fares, and your flights won’t count towards earning WestJet elite status.

Who should book Economy Member Exclusive fares?

The main reason to book Member Exclusive fares is that they tend to offer a small discount over booking Econo fares. In some cases, the discount is minuscule (~3%), while in others, it can be a bit higher (~9%).

However, since you need to have enough WestJet dollars to cover the whole base fare, you may be better off booking Econo fares and applying your WestJet dollars balance there instead. This can also be useful if your WestJet dollars balance isn’t high enough for the Member Exclusive fare.

Plus, you’ll also earn towards elite status and get a return in WestJet dollars, which you won’t get with Member Exclusive fares.

There are three fares to choose from for flying in WestJet’s Premium or premium economy cabins: Premium, PremiumFlex, and Member Exclusive.

It’s worth noting that WestJet offers a true premium economy cabin on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, but not on its smaller aircraft. 

Rather, the Premium cabin on smaller aircraft is somewhere in between economy and a true premium economy seat, depending on which aircraft is being used on your flight.

In some cases, you’ll just get a seat at the front of the plane without any extra legroom, while in others, you’ll get a bit more room and more in-flight amenities.

Therefore, prior to booking a Premium fare, you should check to see what your experience will be like to make sure it’s worth the extra cost.

WestJet’s Premium and PremiumFlex fares are almost indistinguishable from one another.

With both fare types, you’ll enjoy two free checked bags, complimentary food & beverages, priority services, and the accrual of WestJet dollars.

The primary difference between the two fare types lies in the change and cancellation policy.

With Premium fares, you’ll have to pay a cancellation or change fee of $100–118  within Canada, or between Canada and all destinations except Europe and Asia.

For flights between Canada and Europe or Asia, change and cancellation fees range from $300–354.

All change and cancellation fees are charged per direction, per person except for changes or cancellations on flights to and from Europe, where fees are charged per transaction, per person.

With PremiumFlex fares, there’s no additional fee for changes or cancellation; however, if you do make a change, you’ll have to pay for the fare difference, if any.

Another key difference between PremiumFlex and Premium fares is how the refund is handled if you choose to cancel your flight.

With PremiumFlex fares, your refund is returned to your original form of payment, and with Premium fares, your refund will ‌appear in your WestJet Travel Bank to be used on future WestJet flights, with a one-year expiry date attached.

Who should book Premium fares?

You should book Premium fares if you want to fly WestJet Premium or premium economy, and your travel plans are fairly set.

You can also book Premium fares even if your travel plans are uncertain; however, you’ll want to look at whether the amount you save from booking a Premium fare over a PremiumFlex fare is greater than the amount you’d have to pay in cancellation or change fees.

Keep in mind that the funds from any cancelled flights will be added to your WestJet Travel Bank rather than being returned to the original form of payment.

Who should book PremiumFlex fares?

To be frank, booking PremiumFlex fares rarely makes sense.

The significantly higher cost of booking this fare type ‌tends to overshadow any amount you’d save on a potential change or cancellation fee.

However, if you find a PremiumFlex fare that doesn’t cost outrageously more than a Premium fare, it may be worth booking this to avoid the potential change or cancellation fee.

Lastly, if you want to avoid having your money tied up in a WestJet Travel Bank at all costs, then a PremiumFlex fare would ensure that you never have to worry about expiring Travel Bank credits.

The only other WestJet Premium fare type is the Member Exclusive fare .

As a Member Exclusive fare, you can only book this fare type if you have enough WestJet dollars to cover the entire base fare amount. Additional taxes and fees will have to be paid in cash or WestJet Travel Bank funds.

You also won’t earn any WestJet dollars with Member Exclusive fares, and any cancellations or changes will cost the same as Premium fares.

For cancellations, the WestJet dollars you spent will be returned as WestJet dollars, while any amount you spent on taxes and fees will be added to your WestJet Travel Bank.

Other than these Member Exclusive fare-specific features, all other benefits and fare rules are identical to the other WestJet Premium tickets: two free checked bags, extra leg room on some aircraft, complimentary food & beverages, and priority services.

Who should book Premium Member Exclusive fares?

Similar to WestJet Economy fares, the only reason to book a Member Exclusive fare is if you were planning on booking a Premium fare, but the Member Exclusive fare winds up being cheaper.

Keep in mind that you’ll forgo any potential WestJet Rewards, and you won’t be able to redeem a companion voucher with a Member Exclusive fare. However, the potential savings could be worth it, assuming you have a sizeable balance of WestJet dollars.

If you’d like to fly WestJet’s best overall product, there are three fare types to choose from: Business, BusinessFlex, and Member Exclusive.

With a business class ticket, you’ll have lounge access at available airports and your own bed in the sky with lie-flat seats.

You’ll also receive two free checked bags, priority screening, boarding, and baggage, and in-flight food and beverage service no matter which business class fare you book.

As we’ve seen before, the difference between Business and BusinessFlex fares comes down to the change and cancellation policy.

With BusinessFlex fares, there’s no change or cancellation fee, and your funds from a cancelled flight will be returned to your original form of payment. However, if you choose to change your flight, you’ll still be responsible for paying any fare difference.

On the other hand, with regular Business fares, any change or cancellation comes with a fee, and any credit will be added to your WestJet Travel Bank.

For flights within Canada and between Canada and all destinations in North American (including Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico), you’ll pay $100–118 to change or cancel your flight per person, per direction.

For flights between Canada and Europe or Asia, you’ll have to pay a fee of $500–590 to change your flight and $600–708 to cancel.

Change and cancellation fees are charged per direction, per person, except for changes or cancellations for flights to and from Europe, whereby change fees are charged per transaction, per person.

Who should book Business fares?

Similar to Premium fares, the regular Business fare will more often than not be significantly cheaper than the BusinessFlex fare, even after taking the change and cancellation fees into consideration.

However, you’ll still want to be fairly committed to your trip if you book a regular Business fare, as the change and cancellation fees can add up quickly, especially on flights to Europe and Asia.

What’s more, cancelled flights won’t be refunded to your original form of payment, but rather to your WestJet Travel Bank, with an expiration date attached to the funds.

Therefore, if you’d like to fly WestJet’s best product and are fairly firm in your plans, a Business fare will result in the same experience at a lower cost than BusinessFlex fares.

Who should book BusinessFlex fares?

You should only book BusinessFlex fares if the extra amount you’ll have to pay for this fare is less than any potential change or cancellation fee, and you don’t want your refund to go to your Travel Bank.

BusinessFlex fares can be thousands of dollars more than a regular Business fare, so even though you’ll save money on change and cancellation fees, booking a BusinessFlex fare may not make financial sense, especially considering you aren’t getting any additional benefits.

Lastly, the Business Member Exclusive fare is only bookable if you have enough WestJet dollars to cover the full base fare, and you pay the taxes and fees with cash or funds from your Travel Bank.

As mentioned above, Member Exclusive fares also aren’t eligible to earn WestJet dollars or credit towards WestJet elite status.

With this fare type, you’ll be subject to the same cancellation and change fees as with WestJet’s regular Business fare; however, the refund is processed differently.

Instead of having all the funds returned to your WestJet Travel Bank, WestJet dollars are returned as WestJet dollars, and the money paid for the taxes and fees are returned as Travel Bank funds.

All other Business Member Exclusive benefits are the same as with the WestJet regular Business fare and the BusinessFlex fare.

Who should book Business Class Member Exclusive fares?

As is the case with all Member Exclusive fares, you should only book a Business Member Exclusive fare if the cost is cheaper than the other business class fare options, and if you have enough WestJet dollars to cover the entire base fare.

However, you may also want to consider applying your WestJet dollars towards a Business fare instead. This way, you’ll still be eligible to earn WestJet dollars and qualifying spend towards WestJet elite status.

Plus, since Member Exclusive fares only offer a small discount, there generally isn’t really a strong value proposition to booking them over standard fares.

WestJet offers passengers to choose from 10 different fare types, with the lower-priced fares generally offering less flexibility, and the higher-priced fares providing increased flexibility and perks.

When choosing a WestJet fare, you’ll want to consider your priorities in terms of price, flexibility, and baggage. You’ll also want to take stock of additional variables, such as whether you hold the WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard, WestJet elite status, or a sizeable balance of WestJet dollars.

At the end of the day, the right WestJet fare is fairly subjective and depends on a combination of many of the above factors. If in doubt, you can always get in touch with a qualified travel agent to help you with the decision.

• Earn 250 WestJet dollars upon making your first purchase†
• Plus, earn 200 WestJet dollars upon spending $5,000 in the first three months†
• Plus, receive an annual companion voucher for discounted travel on WestJet flights, with a co-pay starting at $119 plus taxes and fees†
• Minimum income: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
• Annual fee: $119

I’m more inclined to pay for advanced seat selection of an exit row seat for a cross Canada flight nowadays. But is the seat selection fee actually more expensive with a Basic fare versus an Econo fare? The chart shows seat selection for a Basic fare is “$$” whereas for an Econo fare is only “$” but I don’t have any empirical evidence from an apples to apples booking.

As an avid Westjet flyer, this is great information. One thing I discovered on a recent flight is that golf clubs don’t qualify as a free bag – the bag must be checked in at the agent and is subject to a fee. Thanks !

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WestJet’s new ‘Travel Ready’ videos have useful tips for travel’s return

Post date: Jun 9 2021

Date: Jun 9 2021

By: Travelweek Group

CALGARY — In anticipation of travel’s return, WestJet has launched a new seven-part video series that highlights how travel will be different and what guests can do to prepare for their journey.

Now up and running on WestJet’s website, the ‘Travel Ready’ series covers the entire travel experience and includes the following topics: Preparing at home; Entry requirements; COVID-19 travel insurance; At the airport; In the air; and WestJet Vacations. Each video stars various WestJet employees sharing useful tips and practices and is approximately one-minute long. 

“Some guests will be ready and waiting to get on a flight, yet we understand that others may still be hesitant and haven’t been on an airplane in more than 16 months,” said Dr. Tammy McKnight, WestJet Chief Medical Officer. “Since the onset of the pandemic, WestJet has been implementing science-based safety measures to ensure the safety of both our guests and our WestJetters and this effort will not waiver as Canadians make their way back to travel. Who better to demonstrate this commitment than the WestJetters who have been living these safety measures day in and day out for more than a year?”

Billy Nolen, WestJet Vice-President Safety, Security and Quality, added that WestJet is ready to welcome back guests and is looking forward to reconnecting family and friends.

“The care WestJetters show our guests each day plays a large role in making feel comfortable and safe,” he said. “That is why it was so important for us to have WestJetters share our safety message, particularly since they have been diligently working to keep our operation safe throughout the pandemic.”

To watch the ‘Travel Ready’ videos go to https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/prepare/safety .

Tags: Lead Story, WestJet

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