WestJet Rewards - When was the last time you flew WestJet?

Mine was April 8, 2010. Was supposed to fly YVR-YYC on WS a week ago but managed to avoid it!!! :D ^^

been thinking of doing so and porter just for sh%its and giggles :D

2006.

Flying WS next month and then again later in the year on a charter to CUN (6h+ nonstop. Ugh.)

Not excited; HATE the 737.

Exactly 3 years ago today on May 9, 2009.

A camera was stolen from our checked luggage. I don't recall anything else about the experience.

I always consider Westjet, but the price and/or schedule never seems to be any better when I need to fly, or they don't go where I'm going at all.

October 2009.

The 737 beats the CRJ/CRA that AC loves to use on so many routes from YWG, but I am beholden to AE!

I really don't anticipate taking WS again anytime soon, unless maybe I head to Phoenix or Vegas this fall or winter.

2005, YYZ-LGA.

Unlike many on this board, I never found Westjet to be a bad airline. Admittedly, I only flew them on this route - I don't know if I would have found the airline lacking on a longer flight.

January 2004 - was 10 minutes into a flight from YYC to YVR and flight was turned around for mechanical issues. Missed my connection in YVR to Asia :mad:

I flew them back from VRA, AC was charging $1200(one segment) and WS charged me $350 for that segment, go figure. In Feb,2012. Planning to use them again for my Dec trip to Cuba.

Last week. YVR-LAS. Always prefer AC, but flight/time was cheaper option on WestJet.

Never had the pleasure.

Last non-AC domestic was with CanJet back when they were scheduled.

May long weekend 2011-- YEG-YYZ-YEG.

I was going to fly AC, but their fares were so steep, I actually felt bad for the not-for profit group that was paying, so I flew westjet! They cost in the $700 range, vs. AC, which was over $1100 for a return (cheapest fare).

I actually enjoyed them! the PPL in YYZ was nice, planes clean and comfortable, lots of bin space, flights on time (except for a delay on the runway in YYZ because of a storm, not airline's fault), but they just weren't AC :( No prioirty check in, security, boarding, free lounge, free movies, upgrades, etc. I just couldn't justify AC's crazy prices when westjet's flights were both within 15 minutes of AC's, but $400 cheaper!

Last July. Hope to avoid them forever - hate the 737 also. They don't go anywhere I can't get to by other airlines.

December 11, 2011, Would fly with them again in the near future.

I'm going on WS to Hawaii on November. For the same price as AC I can get a 34" pitch on WS or 31" on AC. No AVOD on either, so I might as well get the bigger seat. AC's "comfort plus" was stuipd expensive for what it is.

Two days ago, LAS-YQR. The routing was so much more convenient, and slightly cheaper, that I had to take it. I added a stop in YWG on an already planned YQR-YFC-via-YYZ trip to make up the status segment.

March 23rd of this year. Also the last time I will ever fly them.

I only booked them because the corporate travel site had them as the cheapest fare by a few hundred ~AND~ it showed them to have a direct YZF - YVR.

Well the joke was on me as the flight was actually YZF - YEG - YVR. The flight attendants told us we could stay on the plane, then nope, you must get off and re-board but we could leave our belongings. Then, as an added kick in the junk, when I did get back to my seat my sweater was missing, never to be returned.

Was this the first time they had ever done a stop over?

Zero inflight entertainment, annoyingly chipper flight crew, hidden stop-overs, misplaced property and, of course, none of the benefits of AC*E.

The experience completely ruined WestJet for me. I would rather rearrange my schedule / travel plans then fly with them again.

Last year and it was really good. I took it because the timing YWG-YVR was better than AC's. I paid for an exit row seat and also for lounge access and the total cost was the same as AC would have been, no that I could expense the extras.

A totally positive experience except there were no status miles, which is what this forum is (largely) about, so it is an experience I will only be repeating again if I have to.

I've flown Canadian and JetsGo, but never Porter or WestJet. I could see myself choosing them over AC vs a Tango fare.

Around 2000 , and it would have been from Abbotsford --used to live in that part of the world and it was handy to fly from there...would fly them again if I was still living there, but now that YYZ is my home airport, I feel no reason whatsoever to fly them again.

Mine was April 8, 2010. Was supposed to fly YVR-YYC on WS a week ago but managed to avoid it!!! :D ^^

I've noticed a distinct improvement in the quality of WestJet Guests ever since that date!;)

In Feb YVR-YYC as the end part of one itin to HKG (my boss knew I had to be in YYC so I booked a very long stopover in YVR. I still got the 3x50 checked bags due to MSC rules.)

About a month ago when the rotating strikes were on I did YOW-YEG-YZF and return. Flights were fine except that IFE doesn't work well once you get about 40 mins North of YEG. Last time before that was in 2008 - noticed the 737s are starting to look a little longer in the tooth than when they were brand new and the IFE that was once considered the best is getting past it's useful life with the small screens, limited choices and functionality.

Two weeks ago - YUL-YYC in the morning. It was a very good flight with excellent service. I enjoy their B737-700.

My return was on AC in the evening on E90. The service was just as good.

Both flights were full. Since I do not care about Aeroplan miles anymore, I choose by price/schedule/comfort. Had WJ been available for my return at the time needed, I would have taken it. E90 (when full) feels very crowded, and 1 washroom is often not enough.

March 23rd of this year. Also the last time I will ever fly them.

I only booked them because the corporate travel site had them as the cheapest fare by a few hundred ~AND~ it showed them to have a direct YZF - YVR.

Well the joke was on me as the flight was actually YZF - YEG - YVR. The flight attendants told us we could stay on the plane, then nope, you must get off and re-board but we could leave our belongings. Then, as an added kick in the junk, when I did get back to my seat my sweater was missing, never to be returned.

Was this the first time they had ever done a stop over?

Zero inflight entertainment, annoyingly chipper flight crew, hidden stop-overs, misplaced property and, of course, none of the benefits of AC*E.

The experience completely ruined WestJet for me. I would rather rearrange my schedule / travel plans then fly with them again.

Their website clearly shows that there is a stop in YEG. It's not a hidden stop-over.

Really sorry to hear that you had a bad experience, but if I may offer some explanations that might help you:

If your sweater was on your seat and you had other belongings on the aircraft, it would not have been the flight attendants who took it and wouldn't return it. It might very well have been another guest.

I'm sorry that the cheerful crew was a turn off for you. I guess the grumpy gus's on AC is a better option.

As for the miscommunication regarding the stopover, it's normal procedure to have guests stay on, so they don't wander off in the terminal and then the flight is delayed when the guests don't come back to the gate in time (eg: go outside for a smoke and can't get back into the secured area). Perhaps the customer service agents or pilots or maintenance had a reason for deplaning all the guests on the stopover and that would have been relayed to the crew only upon opening the main cabin door.

Hope these explanations provide some insight to your flight. I know it may not convince you to try WS again, but hope you can understand the situation anyways.

Last week, HNL-YVR and then YVR-YYC

Usually fly WestJet unless they don't fly the route I need or the price is significantly higher.

I'm sorry that the cheerful crew was a turn off for you.
I hate it too. The attitude makes the crew seem so fake and stupid. To be honest the crew I get on AC is usually pretty good. (although I usually fly C)

I take WS once or twice a year. My last flight was a couple of weeks ago YYC-YUL. Not the worst flight ever but it was a frustratingly "WSish" experience. I will continue to fly them and support their existence based on what's convenient for me and to keep AC honest.

I quite enjoy the personable WS flight crew and have my next trip in 2 weeks YYC-YEG. My last WS flight was YEG-YVR RT in Sept.

Last week to Ft. McMurray.

Just returned from yvr to yyc on WS and fly with them all the time. Love the planes, bin storage, perky staff and bits & bites. For those who complain... go back to AC and open up seats for others who enjoy the experience with WS :p I like an airline that can MAKE money with cheaper flights and NO STRIKES which leave you stranded.

Never have. Can't say never will. Pricing out of YYZ isn't always the lowest.

Flew WJA in January and will fly them again in June. Looking to book flights for September and hoping to fly WJA again.

Last flight was part of an AA codeshare YEG-YYZ-MIA-EYW and vv.

Next will be YEG-LAX twice this summer. I make a lot of use out of that route.

Last flight was part of an AA codeshare YEG-YYZ-MIA-EYW and vv.

Next will be YEG-LAX twice this summer. I make a lot of use out of that route.

After all, the lack of competition means that loads are very high.
The timing could be better though.

October 2007- YVR to YWG via YYC after late arriving long haul from SYD- choice was WS or 7 hrs in the lounge for the next AC flight... still don't recall any of the flight other than I apparently made it home...

Last flew with WS in March, will again in June and October for sure. Always get great service both on the ground and in the air, by far my favourite domestic airline,

July 25, 2009. WS488. I had been a WS only flyer for pretty much 3 years at that point. That fall I aimed for and got AC E and never went back.

Never...so far.

Have been AC SE for >11 years and E for 5 yrs before that....so have not yet been on WestJet...

Have been tempted a few time, but just have never made it there.

If I can find a decent discount code, am considering booking next March Break with them x 5 people...

Plumber

I might need to soon, again, because of the fact that WS allows 24 h connections and because YVR-YYC-LAX is cheaper than YVR-YYC.

I might need to soon, again, because of the fact that WS allows 24 h connections

What kind of connections are you describing?

I flew the return leg of a WJ flight yesterday. Nothing has improved since my last flight in March:
- 737 was less than 1/2 full @ 17:30;
- FA's were surly (felt like AC!);
- beer was free but I was refused a soda (the excuse? A short flight!);
WJ does keep AC fares competitive^ but on every other front they are falling further behind!

Last flight was them was back in 09/10.. Had issues with the flight crew as a deaf/hard of hearing pax.. haven't stepped foot back on them since.. Was Tempted a few times but had super service on Jazz & AC flights haven't gone back.

Flew them for the first time today YYC-YQG...wasn't sure what to expect given the mixed opinions that people seem to have about WS...my own opinion is to put them solidly in the "meh" category...nothing spectacular about the experience, but nothing horrible either...I'd fly them again if they were significantly cheaper than AC's offering on whatever trip I was planning, but aside from that I'll likely stick to AC for traveling within Canada...

Flew them for the first time today YYC-YQG...wasn't sure what to expect given the mixed opinions that people seem to have about WS...my own opinion is to put them solidly in the "meh" category...nothing spectacular about the experience, but nothing horrible either...I'd fly them again if they were significantly cheaper than AC's offering on whatever trip I was planning, but aside from that I'll likely stick to AC for traveling within Canada...

You would fly YYC-YYZ-YQG with the last flight in a 25 year old turbo prop over a non-stop from YYC?

Wow. You must value your points over spending time with your family!
:)

Haha...my flights are strictly for leisure purposes at this point in my life so time isn't a huge concern for most trips...I don't mind the extra segment on AC that's required to get anywheres from YQG...the hop to YYZ from YQG is less than an hour and I enjoy flying so the extra segment doesn't bother me...miles are a secondary consideration for me...the bulk of my mileage cache is with US Dividend Miles, so AC has an edge there, but if WS was significantly cheaper on any future trips to Western Canada (if WS's seasonal services are active), I would go with them...otherwise AC it is...

You would fly YYC-YYZ-YQG with the last flight in a 25 year old turbo prop over a non-stop from YYC?

Wow. You must value your points over spending time with your family!
:)

Haha...my flights are strictly for leisure purposes at this point in my life so time isn't a huge concern for most trips...I don't mind the extra segment on AC that's required to get anywheres from YQG...the hop to YYZ from YQG is less than an hour and I enjoy flying so the extra segment doesn't bother me...miles are a secondary consideration for me...the bulk of my mileage cache is with US Dividend Miles, so AC has an edge there, but if WS was significantly cheaper on any future trips to Western Canada (if WS's seasonal services are active), I would go with them...otherwise AC it is...

I'm a bit like you. I love the flying experience and have for decades.

However, the older I get, the harder it is on the old bod......so I now opt for the shortest trip time I can possibly achieve regardless of the points I could earn. They just don't matter much to me anymore.

:)

Jan 17 YXE-YEG.

Flight time more convenient and 737 is a much nicer choice than the Jazz DH3 or CRJ..

Flight time more convenient and 737 is a much nicer choice than the Jazz DH3 or CRJ..

Having had the pleasure to fly YYC-YEG last night on WS I would agree. ^

I'm a bit like you. I love the flying experience and have for decades.

However, the older I get, the harder it is on the old bod......so I now opt for the shortest trip time I can possibly achieve regardless of the points I could earn. They just don't matter much to me anymore.

:)

Until you're in F sipping glasses of champagne.
Not that you can really get anywhere outside of North America with WS.

Until you're in F sipping glasses of champagne.
Not that you can really get anywhere outside of North America with WS.

12 years ago you couldn't fly east of Thunder Bay on Westjet and 6 years ago you couldn't fly to the US on Westjet!

Things change and I am going to predict that it will again 12 years from now!

:)

I've been off WJ since April 2008 or so :eek:

last flight flown sometime in 2006.
ever since...i've been making detour trips if I have to fly to YYC or YYZ via the states to collect status on another FFP.

Last flight(s)in April. Outbound, inbound, both on time. Better fare, schedule, seats & food than AC. Plus, WS flights were direct, while AC required YYZ connections/US customs.

I also prefer cheerful crew, rather than the snide & surly.

Cheers,

Wednesday. Booked WS as opposed to AC due to the possibility of labour disruptions. (This flight was booked during the last kerfuffle.)

I flew them for the first time a few weeks ago (sadly just before it was possible to collect AAdvantage miles on WS flights) between YUL/YYZ when AC was having serious delays issues on their Rapidair flights and I had to be back in Toronto before 8pm.

I arrived at the airport around 5:35pm, saw the fubar situation at gate 1 around 5:42pm, I walked up to the WS counter at gate 48 around 5:45pm, purchased my one way ticket, plane left ontime, arrived early and before AC423 left YUL.

Pretty decent experience all in all. Once WS has their E/T/W class product fleet wide in 2013 I'll be checking them out more frequently.

YVR-SFO

I am a big guy (6'2") travelling to small cities. Comfort wise, 737>Dash-8s so I have been flying WJ exclusively for the past year or so within Canada. Why I did that was that I travel somewhere between 40-60 flights a year so it is not guaranteed that I get elite status every year but I am guaranteed to get WJ dollars. Now that AC lowering lounge access to 35 flights, I think I will be flying AC again in the coming year.

The mind is foggy about the last time on WestJet; perhaps around 2002 or 2003 but I remember the first time:

April 2000, YQT-YHM, back when Thunder Bay and Hamilton were 2 of the more eastern routes.

WJ also flew to Ottawa at the time, since I can recall a YHM-YOW-YQT segment I flew going back to Lakehead University.

April 2010 - YYC-LAS - not a bad flight, not great...I much prefer the AC IFE over WS's live TV (TV sucks most of the time)...And any chance to fly an E90 or CRJ is better to a 3-3 lay out like the 737's give...But, if WS is cheaper, no reason not to take em!

A month ago, business trip YUL-YYC (via Toronto) and back via Edmonton. It was great, especially when I had nobody next to me on 2out of 4 flights.

I really like them and fly them whenever feasible.

YYZ-CMX last Oct; YYZ-YLV in Dec; YYZ-FTL in Jan, and YYZ-HFX in June. Love them - At 181 cm I need all the room I can get and as most of my flights are for pleasure I love the perky attitude, though I could see how someone on frequent business travel might get a bit tired of it. Always compare with AC, and WS wins hands down on price alone. Now that I'm collecting WS$ things are good.

Sorry, I am not sure where CMX, YLV, FTL, and HFX are?

Sorry, I am not sure where CMX, YLV, FTL, and HFX are?

I'm guessing previous poster used their own shorthand destination codes for Halifax HFX, Fort Lauderdale FTL, Comox CMX, and Las Vegas YLV.

Thanks! I googled IATA codes and none of them came up as valid codes, as written above! Haha!

Flew YYZ-MBJ-YYZ this week.
Likes:

Infinite legroom in my exit row seat for a reasonable premium
Positive attitude of flight attendants who took time to chat with passengers on both flights
Bags were waiting for us by the time we cleared customs in MBJ - despite a thunderstorm. They obviously have not heard of "red alerts" in MBJ.
Very good job by ground crew in MBJ to proactively get people to gate check cabin luggage on this full flight - overheard FA say 35-40 bags were gate checked prior to people boarding


Dislikes

Very slow check-in at YYZ and poor marking of where to check in for US/Canada/International. Lots of people in the wrong lines
Lack of availability of hot food
In-flight entertainment offering sucks
40 minute wait for bags at YYZ
Bags for 5 flights all being delivered to one carousel

Flew YYZ-MBJ-YYZ this week.
Dislikes

Very slow check-in at YYZ and poor marking of where to check in for US/Canada/International. Lots of people in the wrong lines---T3 does have a lack of space, that's for sure! Not enough room for line ups and people just walking by. I hope an expansion of T3 will help to rectify this.
Lack of availability of hot food---On the flight or in the airport?
In-flight entertainment offering sucks---A new system is coming! Not sure when, but be assured that everyone at Westjet is well aware that Westjet has outgrown the limited capability of the IFE, and with Bell just recently restricting its satellite signals, that was the straw that broke the camel's back and Westjet is now actively sourcing out a new IFE option.
40 minute wait for bags at YYZ---Not the fault of Westjet, as it doesn't have it's own baggage handlers at YYZ. One company handles the majority of the airlines' baggage delivery at YYZ.
Bags for 5 flights all being delivered to one carousel---Again, out of Westjet's control. GTAA is responsible for this.

On August 19th, YYZ to YYC on 677, and onto YYJ on 751. No complaints with either flight. Will be making the same trip in Ocotber

a few years ago YWG-YEG going home for a few days. I remember the flight being 50% full.

Flew YQR-YVR on Tuesday after not having flown WS for about a year.

All in all, a decent experience but a few notes:

-the legroom seemed restricted; the seats themselves must be fairly thick so that even though the pitch is 32 inches my knees touch the seatback. I've observed this fact before--that the seating feels too tight for me (at 6 ft 1 in). By comparison, the ACX CRJ I took on the way home with its 31-32 inch pitch left me with about an inch in front of my knees. The seats seem visibly thinner on the RJ versus the 737. I'm not sure that I will be able to handle the tighter seating to come on WS.

-the boarding process was excellent and the GA was friendly.

-the FAs seemed indifferent from the get go, tough were not out and out unfriendly.

-I was surprised when one of the FAs heated up a meal for herself in the front galley and then ate it from her jumpseat. I've never seen this sort of thing on WS. It didn't really bother me, but it was surprising.

-That same FA woke me up from my slumber later. She was sitting in the seat immediately in front of me and was working through her crew handbook and loudly noting all the new items in the latest update while conversing with the other FA in the jumpseat. Again, not terrible behaviour but unlike anything I've seen on WS before. The ACX FA was by far friendlier and more interested in his passengers over the WS ones.

-love the Biscoff cookies!

So FAs aren't allowed to eat? And where do you think they should be eating their meals? In the lavatory? Sheesh! Give her a break! They are human just like you and I! FYI, there are no micros or ovens on WS aircraft, so this FA probably just used boiling water to add to or heat her meal.

-the legroom seemed restricted; the seats themselves must be fairly thick so that even though the pitch is 32 inches my knees touch the seatback. I've observed this fact before--that the seating feels too tight for me (at 6 ft 1 in). By comparison, the ACX CRJ I took on the way home with its 31-32 inch pitch left me with about an inch in front of my knees. The seats seem visibly thinner on the RJ versus the 737. I'm not sure that I will be able to handle the tighter seating to come on WS.


FWIW I'm almost the same height, 5 ft 11 in, and have never had an issue with WS pitch.

BTW it does sound a little funny knocking an airline for thickly padded seats but that's MHO and obviously YMMV.

So FAs aren't allowed to eat? And where do you think they should be eating their meals? In the lavatory? Sheesh! Give her a break! They are human just like you and I! FYI, there are no micros or ovens on WS aircraft, so this FA probably just used boiling water to add to or heat her meal.

Did I say that I didn't think an FA was allowed to eat? I said I had never seen it on WS before and I also said it didn't bother me. Maybe you need a reading lesson??

FWIW I'm almost the same height, 5 ft 11 in, and have never had an issue with WS pitch.

BTW it does sound a little funny knocking an airline for thickly padded seats but that's MHO and obviously YMMV.

The difference in height is two inches, but who's counting? That is surely the difference between one's knees knocking on the seat back and not, don't you think?

I'm sure you're aware of the discussion elsewhere on this forum that seat pitch is an absolute but actual room is dependent on thickness of seats. Thicker seats don't necessarily equate to cushier seats either.

I expect some of the replies to my fairly objective post of my experience are reading between the lines! One shouldn't be allowed to criticize WS now should one? ;)

It'll be interesting to see what people have to say when the newer seat pitch is introduced along with the premium economy product.

The difference in height is two inches, but who's counting? That is surely the difference between one's knees knocking on the seat back and not, don't you think?

Depends on the traveller as all are built differently and such a small height difference doesn't necessarily mean less legroom. I know for myself if given the choice between CRJ's and 737's which one I'd pick consistently all things being roughly equal.

Depends on the traveller as all are built differently and such a small height difference doesn't necessarily mean less legroom. I know for myself if given the choice between CRJ's and 737's which one I'd pick consistently all things being roughly equal.


Unless we exchange leg lengths we won't be able to settle this one. LOL

All I know is that on two flights, one on the 737 and one on the CRJ, just a couple of days apart, I had a pretty good comparison of how much room there was for me and--surprising even to me--the CRJ won out.

I spend a lot of time on CRJs (mostly on UAX operated by Skywest) and prefer them to the 737, except the 737 exit rows, and I also prefer them to the 319/320/321 on AC and UA, except the E+ seats on UA (I don't mind the former CO E+ seats either). There are lots of things I don't like about the CRJ, but seating isn't one of them and in the end that's the most important thing to me (a very personal preference, of course). That's one of the reasons why I'm excited by the premium offering to come on WS, but if it isn't priced right my enthusiasm will die out pretty quickly!

These days I'm loyal to no airline, flying the routing, fare, and timing that works best for me (with the caveat that comfort will win out in an equal situation and I'll take some roundabout routes to get C/J on TATL flights), though I was very loyal to WS for a long long time, then AC, and before all that CP. I'm happy to be equally critical of everyone nowadays...