WestJet Rewards - How is it flying WestJet?

I never knew WestJet existed until I had to make a trip to Regina of all places from the west coast.

After scooping WestJet from Sidestep.com I went to my trusty source, FT, and all I see in the forum are people fighting back and forth about profit margins, stock price, latrine jokes and all I simply want to know is:

How are the WestJet flights? How does this airlines compare to others, like AA, UA, in terms comfort, food, the whole bit?

Is this an airline that is trustworthy, etc?

Sorry to go off topic for a second, but it was disheartening to read some of the posts in this forum.

Anyone who has good or bad "experiences from flying" WestJet I am looking forward to hearing from.


Thanks.

Flying WestJet is just like being on Southwest - the only big difference is the Live TV on Westjet.

It is safe, just lots of corny jokes.

It is a "trustworthy", safe airline with above-average amenities for a LCC-type company.

The customer service is either found to be "fresh and fun" or "too folksy", depending on your POV.

Some of us just don't like carriers of WS' ilk as they push forward the scenario of no business class, no "real" FF program, no alliances, no lounges, etc. Many of the things FF thrive on.

Simon

Westjet is basically the same as economy on almost any other airline. Nothing special, just getting from point A to point B.

The best thing about Westjet is that AC usually matches their prices making AC more affordable. Its also another alternative for domestic flights in Canada, which sometimes offers better flight times.

Sorry to go off topic for a second, but it was disheartening to read some of the posts in this forum.

I agree. I'm new here, and obviously there is a lot of history between some people here, but it is a little sad. The AC forum is pretty much the same.

OK. I have booked my flights and will be heading to Regina on the lovely WestJet.

The first thing I noticed was that there was no IVR when I dialed the 888 number. A CSR answered immediately and was not only pleasant but helpful too - showing an impression that she actually liked her job.

I did ask if there was nightlife in Regina, but she told me I might be disappointed.

So ... any helpful hints for a nice hotel and what to do for two nights?

Flying WestJet is just like being on Southwest - the only big difference is the Live TV on Westjet.

It is safe, just lots of corny jokes.

Have to disagree with you Back Seat, Westjet and Southwest are very different airlines

Westjet is more comparable to JetBlue, IMHO.

To Nhila,

Expectations for flying on Westjet.

1) Your right, Westjet does not use IVR and the call center is excellent. About the only time there is a significant wait is after a major event (major weather storm). The airline also has a great website (www.westjet.com) for all booking needs.

2) One area where Westjet falls down is booking through sites other than Westjet.com. Due to computer issues with their present reservation system, Westjet does not always interact with Expedia or travelocity in the most efficient matter. All parties know of the issues and do have a telephone work around, but vigilance is key.

3) Web checkin (OLCI) is available through the website. The company also has kiosks at major airports. However Westjet will not force the guest to use electronic means, "classic" checkin is always available.

4) If you like announcements at the boarding lounge, you will love Westjet. They tend to hog the line and crack jokes and other humorous endeavors. Also, the company does not seem to have a standard script, so it may take the GA a while get their meaning across.

5) Seats can be selected at check in (there is no Southwest style cattle call). If your particular about seat selection, then use Online Check In (OLCI). Exit rows are not available for OLCI. Also, the company will automatically assigns seats on PNR with three or greater guests. These PNRs get the first three rows in the aircraft and then the last three rows of the aircraft. Guest still don't get to choose their seats, but will be seated together. However, for single or couple travelers this will block out the bulk head row.

6) For seat selection consult www.seatguru.com, they have recently added Westjet.

7) The company has LiveTV (similar to Jetblue and Frontier) on the 737-700s and 737-800s. Great service if you’re into TV.

8) Westjet will have complimentary beverage plus Buy on board. The website has details of BOB service.

9) The airline has a heaps of quirky terms that are nonstandard aviation speak. This can get a little aggravating to frequent travelers as the staff doesn’t have a conversion chart to airline standard lingo. If you’re used to airlines lingo, then expect to be called upon to explain yourself in non technical terms.

10) Staff are super friendly, but their perspective is geared towards the occasional traveler (think grandparents and student travelers rather than super experienced frequent flyers).

11) Westjet interlines with no-one. Your bags will be checked to final Westjet destination and there are no facilities for other airlines to drop bags at Westjet. If another airline offers to through check your bag, then refuse the service or kiss bag contents good bye.

12) The airline does not subscribe to lounges, frequent flyer plans, first class seating, priority check in; or any other elite benefits. Staff treat everyone the same.

13) Same day standby is allowed but very tricky. Westjet does not overbook so a cancelled flight can be very aggravating. Same Day Standby is confirmable for a fee.

14) Fellow flyers are more vacation types than business types.

That’s about it. Any questions and ask away.

WestJet flies exclusively on 737 aircraft so no fear of a Beechcraft or a Dash8.

If you have a choice of headphones bring your own or buy the pricier ones. The $1 headphones are a waste of money.

You will see lots of Western Canadian business people on WestJet - they like value for their $$. :)

BOB service is "Buy on Board" service of either snack items and/or sandwiches available for $2 and $5 respectively, BUT only available on flight segments of 2 1/2 hrs or more! Complimentary snacks/cookies, as well as complimentary bevvies and a cash bar are available on flights of more than 50 minutes, which is probably what you will receive on both of your flights.

Thanks to you all for such solid comments about this airline. I am fired up to fly it now.

YEG GUY, those were some good points you made and I will comment after my trip next week.

I wonder, though, about an on-board jack or plug for my laptop while flying. I will check out WJ's site.

FWIW my first leg is 3 hours; the second, is 1 hr+

I wonder, though, about an on-board jack or plug for my laptop while flying. I will check out WJ's site.

FWIW my first leg is 3 hours; the second, is 1 hr+

There aren't any jacks for your laptop, sorry..

How are the WestJet flights? How does this airlines compare to others, like AA, UA, in terms comfort, food, the whole bit?

Is this an airline that is trustworthy, etc?
You just opened a can of worms my friend.

In terms of comfort, there's no J, but Y has average leg room (no E+), and PTVs which play Canadian Satellite TV. Pretty good, but it sucks in the afternoon and night time. Comfort, whatever. New aircraft. Regular Y class leather seat. Food? HAha. What food?

There has been a huge scandal over the last few years which AC accused WS of spying on AC's employee website, which contains load information. From this, WS allegedly used the information to expand to Toronto.
Then this happens:
http://www.cbc.ca/calgary/story/ca-westjet-settlement-20060529.html

So in terms of 'trustworthy', uhm, they're not winning any corporate ethics awards in a while.

WS is like SWA. Crowded terminals, corny jokes all around, but it's attentive, if you're the kind that needs service left right and centre (I prefer to be left alone, hence my loyalty is with AC :D)

There has been a huge scandal over the last few years which AC accused WS of spying on AC's employee website, which contains load information. From this, WS allegedly used the information to expand to Toronto.
Then this happens:
http://www.cbc.ca/calgary/story/ca-...t-20060529.html

So in terms of 'trustworthy', uhm, they're not winning any corporate ethics awards in a while.

WS is like SWA. Crowded terminals, corny jokes all around, but it's attentive, if you're the kind that needs service left right and centre (I prefer to be left alone, hence my loyalty is with AC )

Someone asks how the service is on WS and you bring up the lawsuit? Everything you mentioned prior to that was fine but is the lawsuit even worth mentioning? Off-topic if you ask me.

"trustworthy" - I figured trustworthy was more about safety or OTP than corporate ethics.. :rolleyes:
"Crowded terminals" - how is that the airlines' fault?
"Corny jokes" - when was the last time you flew WS? I've flown 12 times in the past two months all across Canada and I didn't hear even one joke. Not one. I'm curious to know how many people actually hear jokes and how recently? The last time I heard one was probably mid-2005 and it was a pretty brutal made up poem.

Someone asks how the service is on WS and you bring up the lawsuit? Everything you mentioned prior to that was fine but is the lawsuit even worth mentioning? Off-topic if you ask me.

"trustworthy" - I figured trustworthy was more about safety or OTP than corporate ethics.. :rolleyes:
"Crowded terminals" - how is that the airlines' fault?
"Corny jokes" - when was the last time you flew WS? I've flown 12 times in the past two months all across Canada and I didn't hear even one joke. Not one. I'm curious to know how many people actually hear jokes and how recently? The last time I heard one was probably mid-2005 and it was a pretty brutal made up poem.



I have never heard any jokes on any Westjet flight I have taken....although I am not complaining. :D

As someone that has flown Westjet a grand total of 4 segments, and flown many times that on AC, if you compare economy class between the two, which is of course all Westjet has, you will most likely notice nothing significant to distinguish between the two. Depends whether you like leather seats or not. Food is basically a buy or bring-it yourself across the industry these days. I didn't hear any corny jokes on Westjet but the staff were courteous and friendly. A good, competitive, point A-to-B service. Not much more and not less either.

Someone asks how the service is on WS and you bring up the lawsuit? Everything you mentioned prior to that was fine but is the lawsuit even worth mentioning? Off-topic if you ask me.

"trustworthy" - I figured trustworthy was more about safety or OTP than corporate ethics.. :rolleyes:
"Crowded terminals" - how is that the airlines' fault?
"Corny jokes" - when was the last time you flew WS? I've flown 12 times in the past two months all across Canada and I didn't hear even one joke. Not one. I'm curious to know how many people actually hear jokes and how recently? The last time I heard one was probably mid-2005 and it was a pretty brutal made up poem.
He asked about TRUSTWORTHINESS, being that safety is a non-issue with first world airlines.

Did I ever say that crowded terminals is the airlines fault? I said it's an OUTCOME of WS' model. If you even want to dig into my mind, crowded terminals are SWA's fault because of the 2-3 flights movements/hr they try to do in 3 gates that other airlines would use 8 gates for.

I haven't flown WS since August 2005 and the "FA" on a YYC-YYJ announced the flight crew like it was a Knicks game. Gate agents announcements are overly personalized.

Your incessant defence of WS in regards to my opinions that were asked for from the OP reminds me of Randy from Trailer Park Boys.

He asked about TRUSTWORTHINESS, being that safety is a non-issue with first world airlines.

I don't know cur or Hypnotize but let's bring this thread back to my original question(s). But thank you both for commenting here.

i should have clarified the word trustworthy. I simply assumed that anyone who asks that sort of question is referencing safety - especially since I had never heard of this airline before.

No more no less. As thread starter, I will do my best to get back to the posters with my travel experience. I guess lack of jacks for the laptop isn't the worst, so I will blame my PC manufacturer if the batt slowly dies :eek:

Other than that ... as Rodney King said ...

WestJet also deals with IROPS much better than any other airline I've had to deal with when things are going wrong. The information they give out is accurate, they do their best trying to look after everyone when other airlines' agents are growling at people, and their estimated departure times are as realistic as possible (none of this "let's get everyone to the gate early in case a miracle happens and we can go" mentality). Most airlines can get you from A to B on time on a good day. Good airlines also get you there with a minimum of inconvenience on a bad day.

Did I ever say that crowded terminals is the airlines fault? I said it's an OUTCOME of WS' model. If you even want to dig into my mind, crowded terminals are SWA's fault because of the 2-3 flights movements/hr they try to do in 3 gates that other airlines would use 8 gates for.

Actually you didn't clarify your crowded terminal comment in your original post but I see what you're getting at now that you've explained it.

I haven't flown WS since August 2005 and the "FA" on a YYC-YYJ announced the flight crew like it was a Knicks game. Gate agents announcements are overly personalized.

What's "overly personalized"? Just curious.. Most of the time when I'm waiting for flights the announcements are straightforward and kept to a minimum.. at least in the Tier 1 bases. When I was in YHZ last November I thought the CSA's were too perky and too chatty for such an early flight so I guess it depends on what city you fly to.

Your incessant defence of WS in regards to my opinions that were asked for from the OP reminds me of Randy from Trailer Park Boys.

Frig off, cur. :D :D

and their estimated departure times are as realistic as possible (none of this "let's get everyone to the gate early in case a miracle happens and we can go" mentality).

Funny you should mention that. I was over at YXU on Saturday with the kids, specifically to see the WS YWG flight come and go. As I was scanning on my radio, I picked up the flight deck end of a conversation they were having with someone inside the terminal. Went something like "Only one passenger left to check-in? Good. Call dispatch and see if we can get out of here early" Then, "Oh I don't know, tell them it's too hot to be sitting here on the ground or something" LOL

What struck me as funny with that exchange was the flight was already late by 15 or so minutes (The arrivals page at the airport website listed WS94 as "tardy"), but I assumed by "get out of here early", he meant earlier than their new scheduled time, and in hopes if making up for the inbound delay.

What struck me as funny with that exchange was the flight was already late by 15 or so minutes (The arrivals page at the airport website listed WS94 as "tardy"), but I assumed by "get out of here early", he meant earlier than their new scheduled time, and in hopes if making up for the inbound delay.

Regardless of whether the flight had a 3-hour or 30-minute scheduled turn time, any delay (past scheduled departure time) is given 30 minutes for a turn. You're probably right in assuming the "get out of here early" comment was about the revised departure time.