WestJet is the second largest airline in Canada, focused on the western part of the country through its hub in Calgary (YYC).
Outside of Canada, WestJet flies to more than 110 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
WestJet’s relatively new business class product, which was officially launched in 2019, can only be found on a small subset of these routes, since a true business class cabin can only be found on the carrier’s seven Boeing 787 aircraft.
In this guide, we’ll go over everything about WestJet business class. We’ll look at what you can expect from the airline before you even board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and we’ll cover the inflight experience.
Lastly, we’ll look at the best ways to book WestJet business class, including through WestJet’s less-than-amazing rewards program.
The WestJet Business Class Experience
As is true for most North American airlines, WestJet’s business class cabin is not quite at the same level as business class products found on major airlines in other parts of the world.
That being said, WestJet’s business class still has a lot to offer. You’ll still get a fully lie-flat bed, a choice of Canadian-inspired and international meals, and access to perhaps the best lounge in Canada.
Ground Experience
Even before you board your WestJet business class flight, you’ll be able to enjoy a slew of benefits.
As expected, you’ll have access to priority services for check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage, and you’ll be allowed two complimentary checked bags.
However, the main highlight if you’re flying out of WestJet’s hub in Calgary is the access to the WestJet Elevation Lounge.
The Elevation lounge is arguably the best lounge in Canada. There’s a quiet wellness area, shower rooms to freshen up before your flight, and an unlimited selection of food and drinks that you can order at any time throughout your lounge visit.
Seat
All WestJet business class seats have the ability to be turned into a completely lie-flat bed.
There’s an LED touchscreen seat control which allows you to choose your preferred seat position after take off.
The two business class seats in the middle rows have a privacy partition which can be opened and shut in order for you to better enjoy the flight with a travel companion.
For longer flights to Europe and Japan, you’ll also receive individually wrapped pillows and blankets, as well as an amenity kit by Matt & Nat.
Food and Drink
Before take-off, you’ll be offered a welcome beverage to help you ease into the journey.
Once airborne, WestJet offers a rotating menu with locally and globally inspired dishes. You’ll have a choice of appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
On business class flights to and from Europe, WestJet offers a dine-anytime service.This means that you can order your meal whenever you feel ready, and you’re not bound by a specific meal schedule.
If you require a special meal such as diabetic, gluten intolerant, lactose intolerant, or vegan, you’ll need to contact the call centre at least 24 hours before your departure to make arrangements. WestJet also offers Hindu, Muslim, or Kosher meal options.
It’s worth noting that if your original flight is rescheduled or cancelled for some reason, you’ll have to call in to rebook your meal for your new flight.
WestJet Business Class Cabin
The WestJet business class product is only offered on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
There are a total of 16 “Super Diamond” reverse herringbone seats, set up in a 1-2-1 configuration.
If you’re travelling by yourself, any of the window seats will provide the most amount of privacy. Seats 1A and 1K are closest to the front of the plane and are likely to have the most aisle traffic, while Seats 4A and 4K are likely to have the least amount of traffic.
If you’re travelling with a companion, any of the two middle seats would be a good choice for enjoying the flight together. These include seats 1D and 1F, 2D and 2F, 3D and 3F, or 4D and 4F.
Additionally, the partition between the two middle seats can be opened, allowing you to easily communicate with the person next to you.
WestJet Business Class Routes
All of WestJet’s business class options fly out of or into Calgary International Airport (YYC), WestJet’s home base.
You can currently fly WestJet business class between Calgary and the following 12 airports:
North America
- Toronto (YYZ)
- Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
- Cancun (CUN)
- Kahului (OGG)
Europe
- Rome (FCO)
- Barcelona (BCN)
- Paris (CDG)
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- London Gatwick (LGW)
- Dublin (DUB)
- Edinburgh (EDI)
Asia
- Tokyo (NRT)
- Seoul (ICN)
WestJet has continued to expand its offerings, with routes to Tokyo, Barcelona, and Edinburgh added in April and May 2023.
Although WestJet offers flights to seven European airports, these flights are primarily seasonal and their frequency is significantly reduced during the winter months.
WestJet has year-round daily flights to London Heathrow, but all of the other European destinations have seasonal differences, with the flights to Paris and Rome running every day in the summer months but only three times per week in the winter.
WestJet’s routes to Barcelona, London Gatwick, Dublin, and Edinburgh are entirely seasonal with no winter flights offered.
The Best Way to Book WestJet Business Class
There are only a few options for booking WestJet business class flights beyond simply paying the full fare.
While WestJet does have a loyalty program called WestJet Rewards, you won’t be able to rely on it to book WestJet business class flights and receive outsized value.
The WestJet Dollars you earn through WestJet Rewards can only be used on the base fare of a WestJet flight at a rate of $1 (CAD) per WestJet Dollar (WSD).
That being said, if you do have a large stash of WestJet Dollars, you can certainly use them towards a WestJet business class booking, but you won’t receive any additional or special discounts when you do so.
The cheapest way to book WestJet business class flights is by having a flexible schedule and using WestJet’s “Low Fare Finder.”
If you’re hoping to try out WestJet’s business class, and you’re not overly concerned with your destination, the cheapest way to experience the product is by booking on its shortest flight, which is between Calgary (YYC) and Toronto (YYZ).
On this route, you can find business class seats for $748.78, and if you have WestJet Dollars to spend, you could redeem up to 641 WestJet Dollars to cover a majority of the cost.
While this option offers a nice chance to try out WestJet’s business class product, the flight is only a little under four hours, so you may not be able to enjoy everything that the service has to offer.
Tips and Tricks for WestJet Business Class
When it comes to booking your flight, there’s one notable tip that will help you enjoy WestJet business class without having to pay full price.
WestJet has upgrade offers through which select economy and premium economy bookings may be eligible for an upgrade to business class.
There are three ways to secure this type of upgrade: by placing an offer to upgrade at least 75 hours before departure, by upgrading at check-in, or by using your WestJet status to secure an upgrade.
The most straightforward upgrade option is to place an offer at least 75 hours before your departure time.
To make an offer for an upgrade to business class, you’ll need to have an economy or premium economy booking. After you’ve got your ticket booked, simply enter your reservation code and last name on WestJet’s website.
From here, you can move the slider to indicate how much you’re willing to pay for an upgrade to business class. Unfortunately, you can’t use WestJet Dollars to pay for the upgrade, and it’s worth noting that once your upgrade payment is accepted, it is non-refundable, and you won’t be able to downgrade.
You also won’t be able to place an upgrade offer if you booked a basic fare, are an unaccompanied minor, or if you’ve booked a codeshare flight with another airline.
Once your upgrade offer has been made, you will then be informed if it was accepted approximately three days before your flight’s departure.
Another option for upgrading to business class is through access granted by your WestJet Rewards elite status. If you’re a WestJet Rewards Platinum or Gold member, you’ll have early access to purchase an upgrade to business class.
You can purchase an upgrade between 48 and 24 hours prior to your departure time by calling your WestJet priority support number.
WestJet Rewards Platinum, Gold, and Silver members who purchase a PremiumFlex fare or Premium fare may be eligible for a complimentary upgrade to business class at the gate.
However, this is only applicable for Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights within Canada, so it’s only available on the route between Calgary and Toronto.
If you do hold elite status with WestJet, and you have booked premium economy on a flight between Toronto and Calgary, then make sure to inquire about a potential upgrade when you reach the gate.
Conclusion
WestJet’s business class product is found only in its seven Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which are based out of its base in Calgary (YYC).
Outside of its one domestic route between Calgary and Toronto, WestJet flies its Dreamliner aircraft on long-haul routes from Calgary to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, and Japan.
On board, you’ll enjoy a complete lie-flat bed with a dine-on-demand menu on the international routes.
The best way to book a WestJet business class flight is by searching through WestJet’s low fare finder or by submitting an upgrade offer; you may even be able to request a complimentary upgrade if you’re an WestJet Rewards elite member.