10 years ago, back in 2015, Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet officially entered the long-haul arena with several used Boeing 767-300ERs acquired from Qantas. These were understood to be a stopgap measure, as the airline ordered the 787-9 in 2018. Still, the 767s soldiered on until 2020, until they were retired due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. At the same time, the airline’s 787s had pioneered new routes to Europe and Asia from Calgary while also ushering in the airline’s transition to a full-service carrier and a direct rival in some international markets to flag carrier Air Canada. Today, WestJet operates 7x 787-9s, with a further 7 on order, to Barcelona, Cancún, Dublin, Edinburgh, Honolulu, Kahului, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Puerto Vallarta, Rome, San José del Cabo, Seoul, and Tokyo-Narita throughout various points of the year (BCN, CUN, DUB, EDI, FCO, HNL, ICN, OGG, PVR, and SJD are seasonal; CDG, LHR, and NRT are year-round). Today’s flight is to the airline’s first long-haul destination: London.
Server: Solo
Airline: WestJet
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Origin: Calgary International Airport, Calgary, Canada (YYC)
Destination: Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom (LHR)
Flight Number: WS18
Route: CYYC-EGLL
Seat: 3A (Business)
Time En Route: 8 Hours 30 Minutes
Getting ready to board our aircraft at Gate D84 on a cloudy evening in Calgary
Taxiing out for takeoff. First impressions of the business class cabin are excellent, with the seating area being finished in a smart dark green scheme and the seat itself being comfy and spacious. WestJet really seems to want to be chipping into Air Canada’s market share with these jets.
Takeoff from YYC. While a fluffy, comfy pillow and blanket are provided, due to the relatively short length of this flight, we won’t be doing too much sleeping.
Climbing out of Alberta on our way to Heathrow
At our inital cruising altitude over the province of Nunavut. Dinner was delicious, consisting of braised pulled lamb as the main course, with a raspberry cheesecake for dessert.
Settling back for a quick nap as we leave the eastern coast of Greenland behind us
Spoilers deployed to slow our airspeed as we make our initial descent over Liverpool at sunrise
Landing in London in time for a Full English breakfast, if one was available on our flight!
Taxiing to Terminal 4, which handles most non-Oneworld carriers
Deplaned and ready to go sightseeing in London Town (cue the melody of “Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits)