WIFI on Westjet Flights
Jun 9, 2016, 7:45 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
Both KF in Kelowna and Hamilton, their two teams have a bit of a competition going on to see who can do the most efficient turn around of the retrofit (which includes new seats and power, as well as the IFEC system).
Jun 23, 2016, 10:57 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
Jun 24, 2016, 9:22 am
#35
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 484
On a recent flight, I connected to the WIFI system, but did not purchase internet access. I found that I could still access the Westjet website, and from there get the current status of my flight including arrival time. Not quite the same as a moving map, but better than waiting for the pilot to announce the ETA. YMMV.
I look forward to seeing the new map aerobod mentioned later this year.
I look forward to seeing the new map aerobod mentioned later this year.
Aug 16, 2016, 8:57 am
#37
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2
Hi Craig,
Here are the latest numbers:
32 x 737-800s
6 x 737-700s
2 x 767s
TOTAL = 40 WestJet Connect-equipped aircraft.
In addition, there are currently eight 737-800s in operation that were delivered from Boeing with the new seats (so they have power outlets), but have not yet had WestJet Connect installed. That will happen in the coming months.
We currently have 118 Boeing jets (737s and 767s) and 28 Bombardier Q400s for a total of 146 aircraft in our fleet. By year-end 2016 our fleet plan calls for a total of 119 Boeing jets (we're adding one more 767 next month), so we will have a total of 119 aircraft with WestJet Connect installed by the end of December. Note that the Q400s won't have Wi-Fi, so when we refer to "all our jet aircraft" we we're talking about our 737s and 767s.
Here are the latest numbers:
32 x 737-800s
6 x 737-700s
2 x 767s
TOTAL = 40 WestJet Connect-equipped aircraft.
In addition, there are currently eight 737-800s in operation that were delivered from Boeing with the new seats (so they have power outlets), but have not yet had WestJet Connect installed. That will happen in the coming months.
We currently have 118 Boeing jets (737s and 767s) and 28 Bombardier Q400s for a total of 146 aircraft in our fleet. By year-end 2016 our fleet plan calls for a total of 119 Boeing jets (we're adding one more 767 next month), so we will have a total of 119 aircraft with WestJet Connect installed by the end of December. Note that the Q400s won't have Wi-Fi, so when we refer to "all our jet aircraft" we we're talking about our 737s and 767s.
Just wondering if you had an update on connected aircraft numbers? We're updating our Q2 in-flight connectivity tracker so it would be great to have an idea as to how many in the fleet had IFC as of 30th June 2016.
If you're able to help, I'll be happy to forward a copy of the analysis to the relevant folks handling connectivity within Westjet. Just let me know who I need to get in touch with.
Thanks,
Craig
Dec 6, 2016, 10:47 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: AC 100k, Star Alliance Gold, Fairmont Platinum, Westjet Gold, Starwood Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 125
Has anyone had any experience in using the wifi over water? Booking flights to Hawaii and was wondering whether we would have wifi the entire trip over? I know that it is "supposed" to work over the ocean, but I just wanted to see if anyone had any real world experience using it between YVR and Hawaii?
Dec 7, 2016, 12:03 am
#40
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,347
I used it on my recent flight from Toronto to London Gatwick.
It worked pretty well but I admitted that I slept for an hour or so in the middle of the flight.
I also think not many takers too during my overnight flight, which resulted in faster speed.
Carfield
It worked pretty well but I admitted that I slept for an hour or so in the middle of the flight.
I also think not many takers too during my overnight flight, which resulted in faster speed.
Carfield
Dec 7, 2016, 5:48 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
Bearing in mind that the aircraft currently have non-spot beam connections over the ocean (single satellite beam) so bandwidth is generally around 5Mbps to the aircraft, shared between the number of users on the aircraft. There will be a mid-ocean satellite switch on the way to Hawaii which takes about 2 minutes to re-sync. Latency is also around 700ms due to speed of light delay, so works better with asynchronous applications.
Usually there will be less than 10 concurrent users, although the high water mark is up to double that on a LGW to YVR flight.
Usually there will be less than 10 concurrent users, although the high water mark is up to double that on a LGW to YVR flight.
Dec 7, 2016, 2:19 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: AC 100k, Star Alliance Gold, Fairmont Platinum, Westjet Gold, Starwood Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 125
Bearing in mind that the aircraft currently have non-spot beam connections over the ocean (single satellite beam) so bandwidth is generally around 5Mbps to the aircraft, shared between the number of users on the aircraft. There will be a mid-ocean satellite switch on the way to Hawaii which takes about 2 minutes to re-sync. Latency is also around 700ms due to speed of light delay, so works better with asynchronous applications.
Usually there will be less than 10 concurrent users, although the high water mark is up to double that on a LGW to YVR flight.
Usually there will be less than 10 concurrent users, although the high water mark is up to double that on a LGW to YVR flight.
Thanks to both of you for the info.
Dec 7, 2016, 3:07 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Plat, IHG Spire, SPG Gold, WS Gold, Hertz PC, National E Elite,
Posts: 2,768
Great forum name BTW. Maybe the best one on FT luckylager!
Jan 13, 2017, 2:28 pm
#45
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
Current WestJet Connect install state is:
767-300 4 of 4 (100%)
737-800 41 of 46 (89%)
737-700 43 of 56 (77%)
737-600 0 of 13 (0%)
Total 88 of 119 (74%)
A few of the -700s and one of the -800s are possible lease return aircraft in 2017, so they won't receive WestJet Connect until we decide to keep them or they are returned. The -600s still have a more complicated install process to be worked out due to the de-installation requirements around their Live TV configuration.
767-300 4 of 4 (100%)
737-800 41 of 46 (89%)
737-700 43 of 56 (77%)
737-600 0 of 13 (0%)
Total 88 of 119 (74%)
A few of the -700s and one of the -800s are possible lease return aircraft in 2017, so they won't receive WestJet Connect until we decide to keep them or they are returned. The -600s still have a more complicated install process to be worked out due to the de-installation requirements around their Live TV configuration.