Welcome to another flight review. Today we’re looking at WestJet, Canada’s second largest airline, which offers premium economy flights from Dublin to Toronto for about $580.
I don’t want to give too much away, but almost nothing was working on this Boeing plane, and if it weren’t for the excellent price, I wouldn’t recommend it, but let me explain my experience with WestJet.
WestJet Check-In and Boarding Experience
WestJet has launched daily flights from Dublin, Ireland, to Toronto for a modest $250 in economy or $500 in premium cabin.
Because I’d never had a good flight on Air Canada, I wanted to try something different, and here I was returning to Canada.
The check-in process went smoothly, and once I received my boarding pass, I made my way to the gate. Because it was sold as premium economy, I did not have lounge access, so bear that in mind.
And there it is: the infamous 737 Max 8, the backbone of WestJet’s fleet.
Smaller planes require fewer staff and fuel, making crossing the Atlantic Ocean far more affordable, which is why they sell some of the cheapest tickets from Europe to North America. But now, let’s board the Boeing and see what it’s like inside.
WestJet Premium Economy Seat and Cabin
I wasn’t greeted at the door and immediately felt like I was in Air Canada. However, the Premium Economy section appeared to be in good condition, with 12 recliner chairs arranged in a 2-2 layout.
A blanket and pillow were waiting for me at my seat, along with an amenity kit and a bottle of water.
The legroom was adequate, and each seat included a universal power outlet and a USB port. There were no built-in screens, but you could typically stream entertainment to your personal device or access the internet.
I also took a quick glance around the Economy Class cabin, which contained 162 seats in a 3-3 layout.
Once I’d settled into my seat, the crew stated that their streaming system was broken and unavailable on this flight, leaving everyone without entertainment for the next 7 hours.
We then pushed back, with a 45-minute delay and a full flight.
WestJet In-Flight Meal and Amenity Kit in Premium Economy
The crew couldn’t care less and didn’t apologize for the lack of meal options or faulty in-flight entertainment, and this attitude persisted throughout the journey. Overall, WestJet’s crew friendliness and service were a major disappointment.
We were offered the one food option, chicken, about two hours into the flight. Despite the few options, the lunch was both fresh and of high quality.
With a price tag of $540, you can’t complain too much, as the hard product for that money is reasonable given the 7-hour travel.
But I can see that some people might be irritated that the vegetarian choice was not accessible, or that they would have to wait through a 7-hour journey without being able to view movies or use the internet.
This was a nice moment to check out the amenity kit on this flight, which included lip balm, eye sunglasses, ear plugs, and a pair of socks.
WestJet Premium Economy – Bottom Line
We finally began our descent into Toronto, and to summarize my flight experience, it was very, very ordinary.
If you sell a product, make sure it is delivered. However, with the faulty internet, in-flight entertainment, and limited food options, I felt duped.
It would have been wonderful if the airline had reimbursed its passengers for their failings, but customer service does not appear to be a priority for this airline, so keep that in mind when flying WestJet.
The team was below average, lacking desire and enthusiasm for their work.
The low ticket price and easy check-in were notable advantages. In addition, the seat is adequate for its purpose.
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