From Toronto to Bridgetown we flew WestJet and I splurged for Premium Class, a product WestJet stops short of calling business class, but certainly seemed like business class to me.
WestJet 737-700 Premium Class Review (YYZ- BGI)
I booked the ticket for $620, about a $200 premium over an economy class ticket. For a five-hour flight, I thought that was a reasonable exchange. Typically I will book directly with the airline, but I booked via Orbitz because Orbitz makes it very easy to cancel within 24 hours (sometimes longer) and I wasn’t sure if I was going to take WestJet or Air Canada. WestJet also has a 24-hour cooling-off period (except for same-day bookings), but since I had never booked with WestJet before and knew how easy it would be with Orbitz if I had to cancel, I booked via the online travel agency.
Check-In
We checked in for our flight online the night before, but I checked in at the counter at O’Dark Early at Toronto Pearson Terminal 3 to see if I would be offered a lounge pass. Regular check-in lines were crazy despite it being 5:30 am, but the Premium check-in line was empty. And the answer was no: WestJet Premium guests do not get lounge access (Business Class guests on longhaul flights do receive lounge access).
Boarding
Boarding began right on schedule, 40 minutes before takeoff. I’ve got to say, I do not mind Toronto Pearson, but I found the WestJet gate area depressing.
WestJet 2512
Toronto (YYZ) – Bridgetown (BGI)
Friday, February 9
Depart: 8:30 AM
Arrive: 2:50 PM
Duration: 05hr, 20min
Distance: 2,424 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Seat: 1D (Premium Class)
Onboard, we were welcomed by a pair of flight attendants who were chatting in the forward galley.
Seat
The WestJet 737-700 has three rows in Premium Class arranged in a 2-2 configuration, similar to the business class (marketed as “first class” seats on US carriers). The Recaro CL4710 seats are not the most comfortable but were not bad for the daytime journey to Barbados. Seats are 20 inches wide with 38 inches of legroom and a recline of five inches. However, our side of the first row (1D/AF) had a lot of extra legroom.
A universal power outlet with USB-A charger was located in the center console and there was a small mesh storage container on each side of the console for personal belongings.
The overhead passenger service unit included individual air vents.
While the cabin had a rather drab and dated look, it was clean.
Food + Drink
A small bottle of water was waiting at each seat in Premium Class.
Shortly after takeoff, Premum passengers were offered a warm moist towelette and the table was set for breakfast, including a paper placemat and metal cutlery wrapped in a disposable napkin.
Next, two snacks were served: pretzels and a chocolate biscuit. Sort of an odd appetizer to breakfast, but…
Next, menus were offerred.
I ordered scrambled eggs (with turkey sausage and zucchini + carrot breakfast fritters) while my son Augustine ordered Belgian waffles (with vanilla mascarpone, pecans, and an orange-cranberry compote). Both breakfast choices were served with a packaged muffin, fresh fruit bowl, and yogurt.
WestJet services “McCafe” coffee from MacDonalds, which was tolerable, but I stopped at one cup.
Before landing, a snack box was offered that included a granola bar, quinoa – dark chocolate coffee, cashews, and a mint.
Beverages were free-flowing. I skipped alcohol, but there was a selection of beer, wine, and spirits available, plus Prosecco (Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Gold).
Service
Three flight attendants were onboard and all were pleasant. The lead flight attendant working in Premium Class was attentive, which I gauge by how often the cabin is monitored for beverage refills. I stayed well-hydrated on this flight.
IFE + Wi-Fi
Very annoyingly, the wi-fi was broken. I had planned for that by getting my essential work done, but wanted to get ahead on my writing during the flight and that became much more difficult to do so without the internet. Flight attendants were apologetic, but it really made me wish I had flown Air Canada instead…
The intranet system worked and a wide selection of movies and TV shows was available.
It was also a beautiful day outside:
Lavatory
Premium Class passengers can use a lavatory in the front of the aircraft. I liked the soap from Rocky Mountain Soap Company, an Alberta-based company.
CONCLUSION
We landed about a half hour early just as a Copa flight was pulling up. We bounded down the airstairs and breezed through passport control in under five minutes.
The truth is that WestJet Premium is not worth the premium. It was nice…I liked it and would be happy to fly it again…but I would not pay so much for it next time. Furthermore, I like the Air Canada lounges in Toronto, especially the Air Canada Café, which makes what is served onboard much less important.
But I chose this flight because I needed to be on-time into Bridgetown (and not miss my boat), and I arrived early. Mission accomplished.
