Westjet B787-9 premium economy

LONDON-CALGARY

BACKGROUND

Formerly a low-cost carrier, Canada’s Westjet has been moving into the full-service market. This year it stepped that up with the delivery of four B787-9s, scheduled for daily Toronto-Gatwick flights year round, as well as routes out of Calgary to London, Toronto and Maui on varying frequencies. It has economy, premium economy and business cabins.

CHECK-IN

I arrived at Gatwick station just after 1100 for my 1300 flight and took the shuttle to the North Terminal. Westjet’s check-in area had lots of self-service kiosks with no queues. The system was easy enough to use, although the bag-drop machine wouldn’t scan my tag – a member of staff came to help straight away.

BOARDING

We were delayed by 40 minutes but boarding took place at the scheduled time anyway and we waited on the plane. The priority queue, meant for premium economy and business, was a bit chaotic as the lanes weren’t separated and everyone tried to get on at the same time. Once on board, crew explained how to use the seat controls and offered juice or sparkling wine in plastic cups. Before take-off they took our drink and meal orders. Each passenger had a water bottle, headphones and an amenity kit with lip balm, earplugs, socks and an eye mask.

THE SEAT

There were four premium economy rows (5-8) in a 2-3-2 layout (A-C, D-E-F, K-H). Seat pitch was 38 inches, width 19 inches and recline was seven inches (economy has a 31-inch pitch and 17.5-inch width). Each had a USB port and Canadian power socket. They were comfortable, albeit with a few flaws. There wasn’t much storage, and the charging ports and headphone sockets were in a pocket in the back of the armrest, which was hard to locate in the dark. There was a washroom exclusively for premium economy at the back of the cabin.

BEST SEAT

I was in aisle seat 6D. The pitch was fine for me (though I’m relatively short) but go for bulkhead row 5 if you like a lot of legroom – I was in window seat 6K on my return and felt a bit trapped.

THE FLIGHT

After 30 minutes we were brought drinks, while the meal was served after about an hour. Hot towels were offered before each meal, and I was impressed by my main of braised beef shin with rice, carrots and pak choi, with a salted caramel and chocolate ganache for dessert. The wine list comprised a South African Swartland Syrah, a Benjamin Bridge Brut NV from Nova Scotia and a Sibling Rivalry White Blend from Ontario. The inflight entertainment had a fairly standard selection of recent Oscar nominees and blockbusters, as well as a progress tracker. Just over an hour before landing we were served an afternoon tea of sandwiches and a tasty scone with clotted cream and jam. Service was attentive and warm throughout.

ARRIVAL

Premium economy passengers disembarked first, and immigration took about ten minutes. I had a priority label attached to my bag, but my luggage was among the last out on arrival in Calgary.

VERDICT

The seat was decent but the standout features were the food and service.

BESTFOR

Friendly service and good dining on a new aircraft

CONFIGURATION

2-3-2

SEATWIDTH

19 inches

SEATPITCH

38 inches

SEATRECLINE

7 inches

FLIGHTDURATION

8 hours 30 minutes

PRICE

Internet rates for a return premium economy flight from London to Calgary in October ranged between £1,041 and £3,004 depending on flexibility

CONTACT

westjet.com

Hot towels were offered before each meal, and I was impressed by my main of braised beef shin with rice