The WestJet 737 MAX 8 thread
Apr 12, 2019, 8:44 am
#110
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,003
WestJet reshuffles cabin mods to manage MAX groundings
Canadian LCC WestJet Airline is managing the Boeing 737 MAX grounding in part by re-shuffling its cabin-modification schedule, pulling 737 Next Generation (NG) models out of planned upgrade lines and subbing in MAXs.
The Calgary-based carrier operates 13 of the newest 737s, and like the rest of its Boeing narrowbody fleet, the MAXs are part of a cabin-upgrade program tied to the introduction of its 787s earlier this year.
https://atwonline.com/mro/mro-americ...max-groundings
Apr 17, 2019, 9:09 pm
#111
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 296
And the first round of YHZ-CDG flights have been downgauged a second time: MAX8-->737-800--> 737-700. 2 bathrooms for 130 seats instead of 3 for 168 will be 6 hours of fun. At least it's overnight.
For some reason, everyone that wants to sit around us on the 6th row now has to pay a Preferred Seat Rate ($56), but only on the right side of the plane. The equivalent seats on the left side are still $25. Any idea why this happens? Do rows 4-7 DEF on the 737-700 have higher seat pitch? Just an artificial restriction of supply?
For some reason, everyone that wants to sit around us on the 6th row now has to pay a Preferred Seat Rate ($56), but only on the right side of the plane. The equivalent seats on the left side are still $25. Any idea why this happens? Do rows 4-7 DEF on the 737-700 have higher seat pitch? Just an artificial restriction of supply?
Apr 17, 2019, 10:50 pm
#112
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
And the first round of YHZ-CDG flights have been downgauged a second time: MAX8-->737-800--> 737-700. 2 bathrooms for 130 seats instead of 3 for 168 will be 6 hours of fun. At least it's overnight.
For some reason, everyone that wants to sit around us on the 6th row now has to pay a Preferred Seat Rate ($56), but only on the right side of the plane. The equivalent seats on the left side are still $25. Any idea why this happens? Do rows 4-7 DEF on the 737-700 have higher seat pitch? Just an artificial restriction of supply?
For some reason, everyone that wants to sit around us on the 6th row now has to pay a Preferred Seat Rate ($56), but only on the right side of the plane. The equivalent seats on the left side are still $25. Any idea why this happens? Do rows 4-7 DEF on the 737-700 have higher seat pitch? Just an artificial restriction of supply?
Apr 26, 2019, 5:15 am
#114
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YYT
Programs: AC E35k, HHonors Silver
Posts: 743
Comms
is it just me or is WJ not doing a particular stellar job of communicating impacts of and mitigation strategies for the Max grounding? AC are clearly communicating the impact via Press releases and twitter. WJ not so much. Or M I looking in the wrong places?
Apr 26, 2019, 6:01 am
#115
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
Apr 26, 2019, 7:40 am
#116
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 2,997
AC, by comparison, has major problems and thus more need to get the word out about mitigation plans.
Apr 26, 2019, 8:00 am
#117
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
To add to aerobod's comments above, WS likely isn't suffering quite as badly as AC, since a number of the Max routes can be covered off effectively with existing NG airframes. Not all, but probably most.
AC, by comparison, has major problems and thus more need to get the word out about mitigation plans.
AC, by comparison, has major problems and thus more need to get the word out about mitigation plans.
- Planned Business class upgrade besides the MAXs will be delayed, freeing up several aircraft.
- Swoop expansion will be delayed (was due to add 4 more aircraft this year).
- High frequency routes have been consolidated to free up several more tails.
- Q400s flying more on a few routes where they can help.
- Dreamliners will fly more than originally planned to cover some domestic flying.
- New routes that could have been announced will be delayed to stall route expansion.
Overall they seem to have adjusted quite well, I flew YYC to MCO on Wed (which has often been a MAX 8 in the past, is a -800 or -700 these days) and there were 4 almost full flights to the US boarding at the same time, all seemed to be going on time and efficiently.
Apr 26, 2019, 8:16 am
#118
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YYT
Programs: AC E35k, HHonors Silver
Posts: 743
Not sure what you would want to hear, but they have a tab under “Advisories” on the website giving current status (bookings reaccommodated until June 3 at present) and there is typically a press interview every couple of weeks with Ed Sims where it is one of the topics discussed, such as this one from yesterday: https://business.financialpost.com/t...plan-continues. There isn’t any firm news for any airline when they will be back in service at this point, so any updates in that regard are pure speculation.
Generally it feels like AC is more out in front of comms on this subject than WJ but I accept that they might have more to mitigate.
Apr 26, 2019, 8:39 am
#119
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,444
Specifically - that there will be an aircraft substitution for YHZ-LGW in mid July and LGW-YHZ in early Aug - rather than my flights being cancelled or having to re-route via YYZ. (We are originating and returning to YYT). As May/June flights have been changed to other 737 aircraft, I'm assuming that will be the case but would like confirmation. If I were travelling directly on AC (which we're not because it was twice the price of WJ) then I would clearly know by now that we'd be getting re-routed via YYZ/YUL. With WJ, I can but guess at present.
Generally it feels like AC is more out in front of comms on this subject than WJ but I accept that they might have more to mitigate.
Generally it feels like AC is more out in front of comms on this subject than WJ but I accept that they might have more to mitigate.
Apr 26, 2019, 6:45 pm
#120
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 296
In May and June depending on the day (which will determine the original seat requirements) 737-700 and 737-800s have been substituted for the MAX 8 on YHZ-LGW-YHZ, I’m sure this will continue until the MAX 8s are back on the route, WestJet won’t need to send any change notification unless someone has booked a specific seat in the back few rows in a MAX and a -700 is the substitute on a specific day.
Now that I think about it, WJ once rebooked us on an AC flight in the past. Didn't get any notice. Only found out when I got weird errors while trying to OLCI. Departure time was basically unchanged, but would have sucked to arrive dangerously and discover I'm at the wrong terminal. Got WJ $ and 100% Aeroplan pts
