Who knew that writing a WestJet 737-800 economy class review would be so much fun? It’s been a few years since I’ve last flown this big little airline from the Canadian north, and I was quickly reminded of the fact that I’m not doing it often enough.
That’s not to say that they’ve got a world class economy product or anything. It was OK. but I certainly wasn’t horrific.
WS1698
Vancouver, BC (YVR) – Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
Friday, November 22, 2019
Aircraft: 737-8CT
Registration: C-GAWS
Duration: 2 hours 16 minutes
Seat: 6A (Economy / extra legroom seat)
WestJet 737-800 side view illustration by Norebbo.com. Special livery FTW!Our route from YVR to LAX tonight as WS1698
My full review of WestJet 737-800 economy class from Vancouver to Los Angeles
One of the most common requests I get is to do more WestJet reviews. You Canadians are proud of your airlines, and I’m happy to oblige, so let’s do this!
The check in process for WS1698 to Los Angeles
Checking in for this flight down to Los Angeles was a piece of cake. I’ve done a few WestJet reviews already, and since this wasn’t my first rodeo, I knew exactly what the check in process was going to be like.
The YVR ticketing hall, with WestJet kiosks for as far as the eye can see. This benefits me greatly since it means that I won’t have to walk very far to check in. #winningGo ahead. Practice your pronunciation of “enregistrement” in your thickest French accent. You’ll sound suave and sophisticated.Waiting for something exciting to happen.Gate 82 is my departure point this afternoon, but I’m a little early yet. Time to find some food…In addition to having a knack for misreading signals, I have a super-human ability to seek out and destroy overpriced airport chicken bowls. Combined with a beverage, this one set me back exactly $13.22. A fair price to pay in my opinion, considering that it kept me satisfied all the way to LA.When’s the last time you saw a bank of pay phones at an airport? The most impressive thing about this was the fact that they all looked well worn and very abused. I can’t say that I was just a little tempted to thumb through that phone book and give Pan Am a call…All jokes aside, the Vancouver Airport is absolutely stunning and Ive always enjoyed flying in and out of here. Especially the international terminal. It’s large, very well designed, and it feels as just as clean and modern as the city of Vancouver.I’m diggin’ it. Yes, 1 hour layovers are more than enough time in Vancouver, but why would you want to do that? It’s a beautiful airport!
The boarding process
There really isn’t much to say about the boarding process other than it being extremely efficient. The WestJet ground staff are sticklers for making sure nobody boards until their group has been called, so it was entertaining to hold back and watch them deny boarding to anyone who tried to jump the line.
I know. This *would* be a lot more fun if I was about to go long haul in WestJet 787-9business class, but I’m still quite looking forward to this 737-800 economy class experience.Easily one of the most low effort boarding passes that ever seen. Let’s just hope that the interior of that 737 isn’t this dull.Hangin’ with the zone 3 crowd.Seems as if I’m flying on the 100th Next-Generation WestJet 737 today!Out of curiosity, I just checked my flight log, and this was the 136th 737 that I’ve personally flown on. Does that make me better than WestJet?Note that I paid $20 more dollars for a seat with a few extra inches of leg room, which (as you can see) is absolutely worth it.The power ports were a nice touch as well.Here I am demonstrating how difficult it is to get trip report footage in economy. It’s not like these seats are especially cramped or anything but I most certainly lack the finesse and coordination necessary to strap on my seatbelt while trying to hold a camera. This is hard, ok?
So far, these economy class seats seemed every bit as decent as I remember from when I first experienced them in WestJet 737-700 economy from San Diego to Calgary in 2016.
The extra leg room is a nice touch – as is the fact that I *think* the seat next to me is going to remain vacant. by the way, if you like having empty seats next to you on airplanes as well, do be sure to read my article which explains how I’m consistently able to make it happen.
The departure out of YVR
I desperately wanted this to be one of the most picturesque WestJet reviews ever, so I was really biting my nails as the sun started dropping toward the horizon (as we were still parked at the gate). “Let’s go already!”
Oh heck yes. The seat next to me is unoccupied, and we are ready to go!I just can’t get over how nice the International Terminal is here at YVR. I basically spent all day here today writing blog posts and eating overpriced chicken bowls, and I admit that I was kinda bummed that I had to leave.But what about the domestic terminal? I’ll have to check it out someday. *adds it to my to do list*
Um..random thought, but how *exactly* do I know that the person at the stick right now didn’t fail flight school 3 times before finally getting through on a technicality?I guess I’ll never know, and that’s what makes this more thrilling and edgy than other WestJet reviews I suppose. lolThis is really exciting isn’t it? Actually, I was shocked to see such an extensive route map as I was thumbing through the in flight magazine. The WestJet network is seriously impressive.
Food and drinks (yes, it exists)
It’s not like everyone else’s WestJet reviews are overflowing with food content, but I’ll admit I was hoping for a delicious surprise on this flight down to LA tonight. FYI, delicious surprises are the very best kind. Here’s how it all played out:
If you’re curious, yes; there is food for purchase here in WestJet economy, and the menu seems to be very well stocked.Uh oh. Cheese and crackers! I wasn’t planning on buying anything but that looks gooood…If this isn’t the most perfect demonstration of willpower, I don’t know what is. You see, this is the leftover (and very stale) bag of nuts I bought back at JFK two days earlier (purchased just before my Cathay Pacific 777-300ER business class flight to YVR), and somehow I was able to chose *this* over the cheese and crackers I saw in the menu.A partial “delicious surprise”? In addition to the food for purchase options, they were still providing free drinks and snacks. Nothing fancy, but it was very well-appreciated. Thanks WestJet.
In-flight entertainment
Something worth mentioning is that all video entertainment on this flight was of the streaming variety, accessible via the WestJet mobile app.
It also included a moving map feature, which showed us heading north out of Vancouver for the entire flight. Remember what I said earlier about questionable pilots?Mt Baker! (much better in-flight entertainment than a silly app)25(ish) minutes later: Mt Hood!Nobody else seemed to care about the volcanoes right outside my window. Weirdos!
Arrival into Los Angeles
I do realize that most WestJet reviews are a lot more fun when they end in a snowy North Pole-like destination. Today (unfortunately) it’s going to have to be the concrete jungle known as Los Angeles.
We’re descending low and slow into the Los Angeles basin now. Neato!
What can I say about WestJet 737-800 economy class as we glide into 24R at LAX? I guess it was fine. Nothing special, though I do highly recommend spending a bit more for a seat with extra leg room.
I think you’d be a fool not to spring for the cheese and crackers as well…
Downtown LA looking as sparkly as ever.
A common sight on approach into LAX for the past 2 years. When are they ever gonna finish that thing?Can someone please remind me to try these WestJet premium seats sometime? Thanks.
Thanks for coming along with me on this two and a half hour ride down to Los Angeles tonight!
Pros and cons
When it comes to flying economy on most major airlines, there really isn’t all that much difference between them. There’s only so much they can do with the limited space they have, and it seems hardly any airline is courageous enough these days to go out on a limb and offer very unique service.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that WestJet is completely void of character. As a matter of fact, they’ve got their good points and bad points just like any other airline:
Pros
From what I’ve seen, WestJet economy fares are generally quite reasonable, and they don’t seem to overcharge for the product they offer.
Free drinks and snacks.
Paying a little more for an extra legroom seat is very much worth it. I had plenty of room to spread out!
Cons
The extra legroom seats are just standard economy class seats with a little more…legroom. In other words, they’re narrow and hard AF.
I was hoping for better (more substantial) snacks!
I’d be willing to take WestJet on their B767 and B787 but a B737-800, NO THANKS. I’ll stick to Air Canada and United even though they operate regional jets on the route. NO THANKS WESTJET.
Just flew this aircraft to Hawaii from Calgary and will never fly westjet long haul again. They did not include a meal and seats were so cramped. Only one washroom for so many passengers.
Hawaii is a long way to fly from Calgary on a 737-800! WestJet’s 787’s are really nice (and spacious) though. They do fly them out to the islands every now and then, so it’s definitely worth trying if you ever have the opportunity.
Ethan
Can you fly on BA 001 from London City airport to JFK?
SANspotter
I’d love to do that. Once I can scrape together enough BA/Oneworld points to do it it’s gonna happen!
Ethan
Nice! There is a stop at Shannon as well.
SANspotter
I’ve really got to make it happen in 2020. I’ll see what I can do!
Ethan
They recently put the flight on “halt”.
Albert
I’d be willing to take WestJet on their B767 and B787 but a B737-800, NO THANKS. I’ll stick to Air Canada and United even though they operate regional jets on the route. NO THANKS WESTJET.
SANspotter
Everyone keeps saying how nice the WestJet 787’s are. Hopefully I’ll get my chance to try it soon…
George
great review i’d like it better if you had the cheese and crackers.
SANspotter
Trust me. I would’ve been much happier with cheese and crackers as well.
Sevak
Just flew this aircraft to Hawaii from Calgary and will never fly westjet long haul again. They did not include a meal and seats were so cramped. Only one washroom for so many passengers.
Scott (SANspotter)
Hawaii is a long way to fly from Calgary on a 737-800! WestJet’s 787’s are really nice (and spacious) though. They do fly them out to the islands every now and then, so it’s definitely worth trying if you ever have the opportunity.