Meals on Westjet flights in J, W, and Y cabins
May 22, 2022, 4:20 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Copenhagen
Programs: skyteam
Posts: 573
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...-investment-by
https://www.worldfoodinnovations.com...light-catering
Last edited by cirrusdragoon; May 22, 2022 at 9:25 pm
May 23, 2022, 10:04 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The World
Programs: WS Platinum, Marriott Titanium, DL Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 1,477
OMG these Y-class hot meals scare me. Especially that "shelf stable" beans breakfast. Wow. Hard pass, thanks.
I'll be intrigued to see what these look like in the real world. Something tells me the photos on their website are, umm, incredibly optimistic in how they portray the product. They remind me of what some of the European discount carriers try to pass off as hot meals, which look great in the menu photos but, in real life, turn out to be like a reconstituted meal bought from the camping section of Canadian Tire.
Compared to AC's Cafe, this feels like a pretty weak offering in Economy class. And the typical 'bistro boxes' offered by the big U.S. carriers - although cold - look a lot more appealing.
I'll be intrigued to see what these look like in the real world. Something tells me the photos on their website are, umm, incredibly optimistic in how they portray the product. They remind me of what some of the European discount carriers try to pass off as hot meals, which look great in the menu photos but, in real life, turn out to be like a reconstituted meal bought from the camping section of Canadian Tire.
Compared to AC's Cafe, this feels like a pretty weak offering in Economy class. And the typical 'bistro boxes' offered by the big U.S. carriers - although cold - look a lot more appealing.
May 23, 2022, 6:06 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YUL
Programs: FB Gold, National Executive
Posts: 47
May 23, 2022, 6:18 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Copenhagen
Programs: skyteam
Posts: 573
I took WS43 (CDG-YHZ) on May 12. They served a heated sandwich-type thing (either chicken or vegetarian if I recall correctly) about an hour and a half after takeoff, as well as a few packaged snacks about 1 hour before landing. The buy-on-board menu was not offered at all.
May 23, 2022, 7:47 pm
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 980
Yes. To align with the 787 procedures. Not to the same scale of course. And no, no buy on board available due to the complimentary items offered. I would be tempted to bring something a little extra like some fruit in case I got hungry again.
May 25, 2022, 9:36 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 195
Flew on a 737-800 in premium economy from YYC to LAS. It was a very weird experience, they handed out plastic cutlery and then what only can be described as a "snack pack" which had a small bag of mini ritz sandwiches, small cut up peperoni sticks, mini chocolate chip cookies, Nutella and a mint.
I had not eaten prior to the flight as the expectation was a chicken or pasta option, neither was given. The "snack pack" was quite disappointing.
I had not eaten prior to the flight as the expectation was a chicken or pasta option, neither was given. The "snack pack" was quite disappointing.
May 26, 2022, 9:05 am
#53
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The World
Programs: WS Platinum, Marriott Titanium, DL Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 1,477
Flew on a 737-800 in premium economy from YYC to LAS. It was a very weird experience, they handed out plastic cutlery and then what only can be described as a "snack pack" which had a small bag of mini ritz sandwiches, small cut up peperoni sticks, mini chocolate chip cookies, Nutella and a mint.
I had not eaten prior to the flight as the expectation was a chicken or pasta option, neither was given. The "snack pack" was quite disappointing.
I had not eaten prior to the flight as the expectation was a chicken or pasta option, neither was given. The "snack pack" was quite disappointing.
Here are the offerings in Premium, according to WestJet's website:
Most flights over 90 minutes to 2.5 hours
Bottle of water, a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and light snack.
Most flights over 2.5 hours
Refresh with a bottle of water.
Onboard beverages and snack service included. Enjoy contemporary, Canadian and globally inspired meals and a light selection of snacks. Menus are available at westjet.com/menu and inflight on the WestJet App under Connect.
Bottle of water, a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and light snack.
Most flights over 2.5 hours
Refresh with a bottle of water.
Onboard beverages and snack service included. Enjoy contemporary, Canadian and globally inspired meals and a light selection of snacks. Menus are available at westjet.com/menu and inflight on the WestJet App under Connect.
But I guess they cover themselves by saying "most" flights over 2.5 hours. Frustrating, as I think it's safe to assume that a Premium fare on that route would include the full Premium offering.
May 26, 2022, 9:54 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 195
Update-
Flew LAS to YYC on the return leg on a 737-700 and was given the option of a hot meal (being the chicken or pasta as stated on the menu). I did ask the flight attendant why the difference in service between the two legs of the flights.
She mentioned they have had ground crew and catering staffing shortages which have made their offerings hit and miss. She also admitted there was no way to know for sure prior to the flight whether you'd get a "snack pack" or the hot meal.
Flew LAS to YYC on the return leg on a 737-700 and was given the option of a hot meal (being the chicken or pasta as stated on the menu). I did ask the flight attendant why the difference in service between the two legs of the flights.
She mentioned they have had ground crew and catering staffing shortages which have made their offerings hit and miss. She also admitted there was no way to know for sure prior to the flight whether you'd get a "snack pack" or the hot meal.
May 28, 2022, 10:31 pm
#55
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,742
I recently flew YYC-LHR on the 787 in business class. The menu is posted below. Prior to boarding we had visited the new lounge and I had the Atlantic Perch with potatoes and mushrooms in a cream sauce. The food in the lounge was delicious, and I liked the small portions, so I could try more than one thing.
The menus were distributed once I was seated after boarding along with a pre-departure beverage, and then the orders were taken prior to pushback. The orders seemed to be taken in seat order, with 4D being the last, so avoid the rear centre seats if you want to be assured of your first choice. I was in 4A and received my first choice
I had the cold chicken starter and the beef short rib for the main. It was really more like small pieces of boneless prime rib, very tasty and tender. I decided to skip dessert and went to sleep, so I don't know what they were like, as I didn't see any. My partner though it odd that there were not any BC wines on the menu. I can see them wanting to feature Canadian wine, but there are plenty of good BC wines to choose from. Given WS is a Calgary based company, choosing Ontario and Oregon wines seemed odd. WS is trying really had to make their international J a excellent product, so I was a bit surprised that there wasn't a true champagne on offer. I could see the Canadian sparkler as the PDB on the ground, but real champagne in the air.
About 90 min before landing a breakfast was served, consisting of a croissant, fruit cup, youghurt and granola and a bowl with veggies, cheese and a slice of hardboiled egg. Sorry, I had eaten the fruit before I thought to take a photo.
Fish in the lounge:
Marinated chicken starter:
Beef shortrib:
Breakfast on approach to LHR. Sorry, I'd already eaten the fruit
The menus were distributed once I was seated after boarding along with a pre-departure beverage, and then the orders were taken prior to pushback. The orders seemed to be taken in seat order, with 4D being the last, so avoid the rear centre seats if you want to be assured of your first choice. I was in 4A and received my first choice
I had the cold chicken starter and the beef short rib for the main. It was really more like small pieces of boneless prime rib, very tasty and tender. I decided to skip dessert and went to sleep, so I don't know what they were like, as I didn't see any. My partner though it odd that there were not any BC wines on the menu. I can see them wanting to feature Canadian wine, but there are plenty of good BC wines to choose from. Given WS is a Calgary based company, choosing Ontario and Oregon wines seemed odd. WS is trying really had to make their international J a excellent product, so I was a bit surprised that there wasn't a true champagne on offer. I could see the Canadian sparkler as the PDB on the ground, but real champagne in the air.
About 90 min before landing a breakfast was served, consisting of a croissant, fruit cup, youghurt and granola and a bowl with veggies, cheese and a slice of hardboiled egg. Sorry, I had eaten the fruit before I thought to take a photo.
Fish in the lounge:
Marinated chicken starter:
Beef shortrib:
Breakfast on approach to LHR. Sorry, I'd already eaten the fruit
Last edited by Jagboi; May 28, 2022 at 10:44 pm
May 29, 2022, 9:39 am
#56
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: YMJ (YQR)
Programs: Qantas LTG, WestJet Plat
Posts: 330
My partner though it odd that there were not any BC wines on the menu. I can see them wanting to feature Canadian wine, but there are plenty of good BC wines to choose from. Given WS is a Calgary based company, choosing Ontario and Oregon wines seemed odd. WS is trying really had to make their international J a excellent product, so I was a bit surprised that there wasn't a true champagne on offer. I could see the Canadian sparkler as the PDB on the ground, but real champagne in the air.
I've also wondered about the wine selection. The 787 in particular has "the Spirit of Canada" written on the side, and they seemed to do a good job at reflecting that in the soft product when they launched. However, like the loss of champagne, some of their uniqueness/competitive advantage over Air Canada may be slipping in the post-COVID world, with less Canadianness reflected in the soft product.
May 30, 2022, 10:49 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 195
I recently flew YYC-LHR on the 787 in business class. The menu is posted below. Prior to boarding we had visited the new lounge and I had the Atlantic Perch with potatoes and mushrooms in a cream sauce. The food in the lounge was delicious, and I liked the small portions, so I could try more than one thing.
The menus were distributed once I was seated after boarding along with a pre-departure beverage, and then the orders were taken prior to pushback. The orders seemed to be taken in seat order, with 4D being the last, so avoid the rear centre seats if you want to be assured of your first choice. I was in 4A and received my first choice
I had the cold chicken starter and the beef short rib for the main. It was really more like small pieces of boneless prime rib, very tasty and tender. I decided to skip dessert and went to sleep, so I don't know what they were like, as I didn't see any. My partner though it odd that there were not any BC wines on the menu. I can see them wanting to feature Canadian wine, but there are plenty of good BC wines to choose from. Given WS is a Calgary based company, choosing Ontario and Oregon wines seemed odd. WS is trying really had to make their international J a excellent product, so I was a bit surprised that there wasn't a true champagne on offer. I could see the Canadian sparkler as the PDB on the ground, but real champagne in the air.
About 90 min before landing a breakfast was served, consisting of a croissant, fruit cup, youghurt and granola and a bowl with veggies, cheese and a slice of hardboiled egg. Sorry, I had eaten the fruit before I thought to take a photo.
The menus were distributed once I was seated after boarding along with a pre-departure beverage, and then the orders were taken prior to pushback. The orders seemed to be taken in seat order, with 4D being the last, so avoid the rear centre seats if you want to be assured of your first choice. I was in 4A and received my first choice
I had the cold chicken starter and the beef short rib for the main. It was really more like small pieces of boneless prime rib, very tasty and tender. I decided to skip dessert and went to sleep, so I don't know what they were like, as I didn't see any. My partner though it odd that there were not any BC wines on the menu. I can see them wanting to feature Canadian wine, but there are plenty of good BC wines to choose from. Given WS is a Calgary based company, choosing Ontario and Oregon wines seemed odd. WS is trying really had to make their international J a excellent product, so I was a bit surprised that there wasn't a true champagne on offer. I could see the Canadian sparkler as the PDB on the ground, but real champagne in the air.
About 90 min before landing a breakfast was served, consisting of a croissant, fruit cup, youghurt and granola and a bowl with veggies, cheese and a slice of hardboiled egg. Sorry, I had eaten the fruit before I thought to take a photo.
May 30, 2022, 2:06 pm
#58
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: YMJ (YQR)
Programs: Qantas LTG, WestJet Plat
Posts: 330
Jun 1, 2022, 11:48 am
#59
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,742
Jun 5, 2022, 3:41 pm
#60
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 33
Flew YYC-FCO on 787 in business May 26. Late departure due to late inbound aircraft. Elevation lounge was worth the short walk but the food was only mediocre. Seemed like a lot of microwaving was used. Food came out quickly after ordering via app. Felt weird to have to order a glass or water or pop via the QR code though.
Dinner on board was exceptional and well prepared by crew. Only complaint is the buns are an abomination. There has to be a way to get fresher buns.
Breakfast was ok. Pretty standard cold breakfast.
Service was excellent, only room for improvement would be due to late departure it would have been nice to see the meal served a little quicker.
Home via CDG-YYC. Flight was out of hall L so the Air France lounge was available. For a flagship lounge it fell a bit flat - food was just ok. Not many snacks or drinks (no sprite or Fanta for kids).
Food on board was new menu. So much so no printed menus available. Starters were duck pate and vegetable poke bowl. I got stuck with duck pate and wasn’t going near it - it was a giant piece though. Wife and kids said poke bowl was good. Entrees we’re beef Bergeron or cheese ravioli. Wife and I had the beef and kids both had ravioli. Everybody described entrees as restaurant quality. Same comment regarding buns.
Cheese plate or cheesecake for dessert. Both served with beautiful presentation. Both delicious and would be happy to be served them in a real restaurant.
Service on board excellent. Could tell crew was making a real effort to follow training but still friendly and fun.
All in all would highly recommend. Also a nice touch that the meals were served on real plates not the typical rectangular air Canada style dishes.
Somebody at Westjet is putting some work into the menus.
Dinner on board was exceptional and well prepared by crew. Only complaint is the buns are an abomination. There has to be a way to get fresher buns.
Breakfast was ok. Pretty standard cold breakfast.
Service was excellent, only room for improvement would be due to late departure it would have been nice to see the meal served a little quicker.
Home via CDG-YYC. Flight was out of hall L so the Air France lounge was available. For a flagship lounge it fell a bit flat - food was just ok. Not many snacks or drinks (no sprite or Fanta for kids).
Food on board was new menu. So much so no printed menus available. Starters were duck pate and vegetable poke bowl. I got stuck with duck pate and wasn’t going near it - it was a giant piece though. Wife and kids said poke bowl was good. Entrees we’re beef Bergeron or cheese ravioli. Wife and I had the beef and kids both had ravioli. Everybody described entrees as restaurant quality. Same comment regarding buns.
Cheese plate or cheesecake for dessert. Both served with beautiful presentation. Both delicious and would be happy to be served them in a real restaurant.
Service on board excellent. Could tell crew was making a real effort to follow training but still friendly and fun.
All in all would highly recommend. Also a nice touch that the meals were served on real plates not the typical rectangular air Canada style dishes.
Somebody at Westjet is putting some work into the menus.