Calgary-based WestJet is Canada’s second-largest airline, behind flag carrier Air Canada. It operates a diverse fleet that features turboprops, narrowbody jets, and widebody jets. Let’s take a closer look at its exact makeup, to see what it is that makes WestJet tick.
Widebodies
According to data from ch-aviation.com, WestJet’s fleet presently comprises an impressive total of 167 aircraft. Of these, just six fall under the category of twin-aisle jetliners, with all of these being the same model. Specifically, they are examples of Boeing’s mid-size 787-9, which WestJet deploys on certain long-haul routes to the likes of London and Paris.
WestJet’s existing 787s have an average age of 1.9 years old, and the airline has another four on order. According to SeatGuru, these modern widebodies feature a three-class, 320-seat configuration (276 economy, 28 premium economy, 16 business). According to data from ATDB.aero, WestJet received the first of its 787s in January 2019.
Narrowbodies
When it comes to turbofan-powered aircraft WestJet, its narrowbodies are far more numerous. The airline operates a plethora of aircraft from Boeing’s popular 737 family, which is spread across four different variants. All in all, it has 114 737s at its disposal.
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Of these aircraft, 13 are examples of the short-fuselage 737-600 variant. WestJet’s 737-600s have an average age of 15.3 years old, and it received its first in August 2005. They have a two-class, 113-seat configuration, consisting of 12 business and 101 economy seats.
WestJet also operates larger variants from the 737NG family. The most numerous of these is the mid-size 737-700. WestJet has 48 of these 130-seaters at its disposal, with an average age of 15.7 years. Meanwhile, there are 39 examples of the younger (9.3 years on average) and larger (174 seats) examples of the 737-800 in WestJet’s fleet.
WestJet’s fourth and final present 737 family variant is that of the next-generation MAX 8 version. These modern twinjets have the same 174-seat (12 business and 162 economy) configuration as the older 737-800s, but a much lower average age of just 3.1 years old across the 14 examples. 10 more are on order, as well as 13 smaller MAX 7s.
Turboprops
It is common for major airlines in North America to have a feeder carrier to operate its regional services. WestJet is no different, and conforms to this widespread industry trend in the US and Canada by flying 47 Dash 8-Q400s under the WestJet Encore brand.
These regional turboprops follow the trend of their mainline counterparts by featuring a small business class cabin at the front of the aircraft. This consists of 10 seats with a slightly more generous seat pitch of 31 inches. Behind them is a 68-seat economy section, in which the seat pitch is 30 inches. WestJet’s Dash 8s have an average age of 5.9 years.
What do you make of WestJet’s present fleet? Which of the Canadian carrier’s aircraft have you flown on? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
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