Wondering if we need a FAQ thread for Westjet

Ok, let me get a few things started. Please correct me where I make a mistake.

Plus Fares:
Many long time fans of Westjet are horrified they have gone to a multi tier fare system, but it's the current reality. Of these the Plus fare is likely the most interesting because it introduces a premium economy type of seat. Currently it's exactly the same type of seat as the rest of the cabin but with a larger seat pitch for 4 extra inches of room and dedicated overhead bin spaces. You also get a free food item or drink per service. If you pay for the plus fare on your original booking there is extra flexibility with changes, lower fees, etc

Plus tips:
You can upgrade your seat selection to a plus seat during checkin 24 hours before the flight time. If you have multiple segments on your flight you pay separately to upgrade for each leg. If you are at exactly 24 hours before your first leg on a trip you can only upgrade to plus on that first leg. You must wait for 24 hours before each leg of the journey before the plus seats are made available.
If you change to plus seating on checkin you do not gain ticket flexibility, only the onboard and priority boarding benefits apply to you.

Evil tip:
If you want to remove seat(s) from seat selection at T-24 you can do a fake booking and stop on the last payment screen. It will pull the seat out of inventory for 20 minutes assuming there are sill seats for sale on your flight. If you want to keep that middle seat empty you can burn it for a short time during the initial 24 hour before the flight rush or up to the 2 hours before the flight takes off cutoff. You cannot release the seat automatically, you just have to wait for your booking to timeout after 20 minutes or so and the seat returns to the available pool. Yes you will go to hell for doing this, but whatever. (Book a refundable first class seat on AC for later in the day too if you want to mooch in a lounge while you wait if you are going all in on the evil tips)


Checkin or gate upgrade costs depend on the scheduled length of the flight.
$15 <1 hour
$30 1-2.5 hours
$45 2.5+ hours

Picking an exit row costs extra for a econo fare until it's 24 hours from checkin when you can pick those seats for free.


The price difference when booking is usually $100 or more from the middle Flex fare and can be double an econo fare if booking well ahead of time.

Seat Back TV:
It's slowly going away as planes get replaced or refurbished. Sometimes they will offer tablets to rent on the flight with preloaded content. Not known if they will introduce a new IFE system at a later date. Load up your own content on a tablet with good battery life, do not rely on seat back TV being there or working if you do have it. I think I know why they are removing it, but it's just a guess on my part. I think it's because Bell satellite coverage changed when they launched new satellites so it barely works any more and never works south of the border. Maybe when they get the in flight wifi a bring your own tablet type of IFE system will come with it. Who knows.

Registering your passport / APIS
You cannot register your traveller info for flights to the USA until the checkin 24 hours before the flight. You cannot store that info in your westjet login so prepare to dig out your documents when doing check in.
You cannot add your nexus or known traveller number to a westjet booking at this time.
TSA Pre Check at a USA airport. You wish. Flash your nexus card and see what they say.

Frequent flyer program. I haven't invested much research on this so I have no good tips.
It's a straight up percentage of how much you spend. The percentage you get back goes up as you qualify for higher tiers.
Looks like it's extremely easy to redeem your balance. Just book and pay with the rewards balance or some portion of your balance. I don't think you can use the balance to do seat upgrades, buy on board vouchers, or baggage fees yet but I remember seeing a tweet from WJ saying they are hoping to extend it's use to everything you can pay for with a credit card someday.

Customer service is usually top notch.
If you want to reach out to Westjet through social media they seem to pay close attention to those channels too.
Westjet does not overbook, you will not be bumped unless you miss the gate cutoff time and they fill it with a standby passenger. (Even then I have seen standby halted going down a ramp when someone showed up a few minutes late)
If you want to change to an earlier flight they will often waive the fees at discression of checkin or gate agents. Usually do a fake booking online to preview seats and if lots are available then it's usually safe to go to the airport early.


Equipment they are flying
Bombardier Q400 turbo prop.
20 rows of 2x2 seating
Plus seats do not have extra seat pitch. Only dedicated bin and front of the plane benefits.
30" seat pitch
Like most smaller planes the overhead bins are not going to fit a full sized 21" carry on.

737-600NG
21 rows of 3x3 seating 32" pitch
3 rows of plus seats
1 row of exit on wing

737-700NG
24 rows of 3x3 seating 32" pitch
3 rows of plus seats
2 rows of exit on wing. 12F has no seat in front of it, best legroom on the aircraft.

737-800NG
29 rows of 3x3 seating 31" pitch (But shallow pan seats so same legroom)
3 rows of plus seats
2 rows of exit on wing. Row 13 exit row has limited recline due to exit row behind.

On time performance
Westjet does pretty good at arriving before their scheduled arrival. Doesn't hurt that they add 5-10 minutes to the flight plan times just to make themselves look better. But it usually means they are more honest with their departure and arrival schedules from the passengers perspective. If I'm picking someone up from the airport I usually figure the plane will land a few minutes earlier than the schedule calls for.