WestJet Business Class: Everything You Need To Know
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Having the opportunity to enjoy a flight in WestJet’s Business Class is certain to bring extra comfort and convenience (with a touch of luxury) to any trip.
Starting with a streamlined and relaxing on-the-ground experience, WestJet Business Class then showcases its exceptional service, premium cabin, and desirable amenities throughout your flight.
In this guide, we share all there is to know about WestJet Business Class, including how you can book it with your WestJet points.
WestJet Business Class
WestJet Business Class is a great way to enhance your next travel experience. While flying in one of the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, you can put your feet up in your private pod with a lie-flat seat and arrive at your destination feeling rested and ready for whatever awaits.
However, keep in mind that if you’re hoping to try out WestJet’s Business Class, you’ll have to choose your flight wisely, as the cabin is only available on select routes between Calgary (YYC), WestJet’s home airport, and destinations in Mexico, the US, Europe, and Asia.
WestJet Business Class – Onboard experience
One of the most desirable aspects of the WestJet Business Class experience is its fully lie-flat business class seats and luxurious bedding, which make it easy for you to get a proper rest before you land.
Since WestJet’s Business Class is only available on their 787-9 Dreamliners, there’s only one seating configuration for this premium cabin. On all the routes, the business class cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving every seat direct aisle access.
Additionally, if you’re travelling with a companion, and you choose the two middle seats, there is a privacy partition that can be lowered so that the two of you can enjoy the flight together.
On the other hand, if you’d prefer a more peaceful flight experience, you can choose a seat that faces the windows, giving you an added sense of privacy.
Each seat also offers ample storage space for your personal items.
As part of your WestJet Business Class journey, you’ll also get to indulge in the following key perks:
- a welcome beverage
- a selection of quality wine and spirits
- contemporary and delicious Canadian and globally inspired meals
- Herschel amenity kit, including products from top Canadian brands
- an entertainment system with an 18.5 inch touch screen monitor
- noise-cancelling headphones for you to use during your flight
- AC power outlet and USB port
- Wi-Fi
WestJet Business Class – On the ground experience
As a WestJet Business Class ticket holder, your premium experience will begin as soon as you arrive at the airport.
As a business class passenger, you’ll enjoy a priority security and check-in process, and your checked bags will be tagged for expedited unloading at your destination. Plus once you arrive at the departure gate, you’ll be one of the first groups to board the plane, giving you lots of time to stow your carry-on, enjoy a welcome drink, and get settled in for your journey.
Additionally, you won’t have to worry about extra baggage fees, thanks to the two complimentary checked bags that come with your business class ticket (though you should still be aware of WestJet’s baggage dimension just to be safe).
WestJet Elevation Lounge
Finally, for WestJet Business Class passengers departing from Calgary (or those with a layover there), your business class ticket grants you access to one of the best lounges in Canada, the WestJet Elevation Lounge.
Giving you a wonderful space for some respite before (or between) flights, this lounge offers complimentary food and drinks, shower rooms, work areas, and quiet spaces.
WestJet Business Class passengers are also welcome to enjoy complimentary access to partnered lounges in key destinations like Seoul (ICN), Tokyo (NRT), Mexico (MEX), and Paris (CDG). You can find the complete list of eligible lounges on WestJet’s website.
WestJet Business Class – Eligible routes
WestJet exclusively offers its Business Class cabin on its 787-9 Dreamliners between Calgary (YYC) and the following destinations:
North America
- Honolulu
- Kahului
- Los Cabos
- Puerto Vallarta
- Cancun
Europe
- Barcelona
- Dublin
- Edinburgh
- London Heathrow
- Paris (CDG)
- Rome (FCO)
Asia
- Seoul (ICN)
- Tokyo (NRT)
Keep in mind that of the above routes, only a handful offer year-round service, such as those to Tokyo, Paris, and London.
The majority of the other routes operate on a seasonal schedule, so if you’re hoping to enjoy this premium cabin experience, you’ll need to plan your trip accordingly.
Book WestJet Business Class with WestJet Points
There are two ways to use your WestJet points to book a WestJet Business Class ticket.
You can either redeem your points directly for a business class fare, or you can redeem your points for an economy or premium economy ticket and then make an offer or bid on an upgrade to access the business class flight experience.
Redeem WestJet Points
Although redeeming your WestJet points directly for a business class ticket is certainly the easiest option, it’s also the most expensive.
Since WestJet points have a specific dollar value when used to pay for your base fare, it’s not really possible to find any out-sized value in this type of redemption.
For example, if you wanted to fly one-way from Calgary to Tokyo in WestJet Business Class, it would cost nearly $5,000 cash or approximately 470,000 WestJet points (to cover the entire base fare), plus around $300 in taxes/fees).
However, you’re also welcome to split the cost of the fare between cash and points, giving you an opportunity to save a bit on the overall cost.
Since 100 WestJet points = $1, it can take a long time to earn enough points to afford a business class flight. Because of this, WestJet points may be more suited to shorter flights, redemptions to sun destinations, or WestJet Vacations. Or, for those less travel-inclined, WestJet points can also be used for gift cards, sports tickets, merchandise, and more in the WestJet eStore.
Bid on upgrades
If you’re not swimming in hundreds of thousands of WestJet points, another way to get your hands on a business class ticket using your WestJet Rewards account balance is to redeem your points for an economy or premium economy seat and then bid for an upgrade.
From the time you book your ticket until 72 hours before departure, you can make an offer on an upgrade by following these steps:
- Enter your reservation and name on the WestJet website and click « Place an offer. » This will let you know if you’re eligible.
- Choose which flight segment you’d like to upgrade and move the slider to the dollar amount you’re willing to pay.
- Enter your contact and payment information. (Payments will only be processed if the offer is accepted.)
- Review and submit your details.
WestJet will let you know if your offer was accepted around 72 hours before your flight.
Alternatively, you can wait until 24 hours before your flight departs and bid in a live auction for any available upgrades. In this situation, you will only get access to the coveted business class seat if you outbid everyone else.
Finally, an important detail to keep in mind is the fact that the option to upgrade is not available if you booked an UltraBasic Fare, so make sure you choose your booking class accordingly.
Earning WestJet points
There are a few different ways to earn WestJet points:
- by purchasing a WestJet flight or WestJet Vacation package
- by shopping through the WestJet eStore
- by watching for promos with merchant partners
- by using one of RBC’s three co-branded WestJet credit cards
- by booking accommodations through WestJet Hotels
If you’ve got your eyes set on redeeming points for WestJet Business Class, it’ll definitely be to your advantage to get either the WestJet RBC® Mastercard‡, the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡, or the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard for Business‡.
With one of these cards, you’ll not only earn points on all your day-to-day spending, but you’ll also typically earn a nice welcome bonus of points to help get you closer to your redemption goal.
Additionally, these cards come with WestJet and travel-focused perks and benefits like free checked bags, lounge access, and priority airport services that let you immediately start travelling like you’re already in business class.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $39 | |||
| $139 | |||
| $175 |
Bottom Line
WestJet Business Class makes sure that your airport and flight experience are smooth, stress-free, and comfortable.
From the priority services and lounge access on the ground to the private, lie-flat seat, delicious meals, and thoughtful amenities in the sky, a trip in WestJet Business Class is sure to be memorable.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to elevate your future travel endeavours, check out our guides to Air Canada’s business class, using credit cards for airport lounge access, and booking your first business class flight.
FAQs
Does WestJet have business class?
Yes! WestJet offers a business class cabin on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners servicing select routes.
Can the WestJet Annual Round-Trip Companion Voucher be used for business class?
No. The WestJet companion vouchers can only be used for economy and premium economy fares.
Can I use WestJet points to book business class?
You can absolutely use WestJet points to book business class!
100 WestJet points = $1 in value against the base fare cost of the ticket, and you’re welcome to use your points to cover the entire base fare or simply part of it.
