Introduction


The last time I flew on a WestJet 787 in economy class was from Toronto to London was in February 2020.

Since then, a few minor tweaks have been made to their serviceโ€”nothing groundbreaking, but a welcome touch-up: an upgraded dessert, the addition of a pre-dinner drink and snack, and a few refinements here and there.

On this recent flight from Calgary to Paris, I had the chance to experience these updates and sneak a peek at premium economy, which looked pretty solid.

The WestJet Experience


WestJet’s economy-class experience depends mainly on whether you fly its international 787 Dreamliner routes or stick to domestic Canadian flights.

International 787 Routes: Expect complimentary meals, drinks, and a much nicer, spacious cabin.

Domestic Routes: It’s a no-frills with buy-on-board options available.

So, if you’re flying internationally, you’ll get a more full-service experience with some limitations.

Calgary to Paris


This flight ran for about 8.5 hours, and overall, it was a comfortable journey.

The room was decent, the crew was fantastic, and the cabin felt modern and well-maintained.

The Food

Shortly after takeoff, drinks were served alongside pretzels or cookiesโ€”a nice touch.

Then came the main meal service, which offered braised chicken or vegetarian pasta.

I went with the chicken, which was OKโ€”nothing mind-blowing, but perfectly edible.

The meal trays were the same as my flight in 2020.

However, I did appreciate the upgraded dessert and sustainable packaging, which gave the meal a bit of charm.

One thing that stood out was the lack of additional food for such a long-haul flight.

No extra snacks were available in the galley, and nothing was available for purchase.

That felt like a missed opportunityโ€”most airlines at least stock a few extra snacks for mid-flight hunger pangs.

It’s not a dealbreaker, but WestJet could improve the food served on these long-haul routes.

About 1.5 hours before landing, breakfast was served: an egg muffin and a drink. That was it.

Premium Economy

I had the chance to snap some photos of premium economy. And wowโ€”it looked delicious.

Unlike economy class, where the meal felt a little on the light side, premium economy got a full business-class-style tray with a fresh side salad, an upgraded dessert, elevated salt and pepper shakers, proper glassware, and even local Quebec cheese.

The portion size also looked far more satisfying, making it one of the best premium economy meal presentations I’ve seen!

Conclusion


WestJet’s 787 Dreamliner offers a comfortable economy experience, especially thanks to its friendly crew and small service upgrades.

That said, they need to provide more food on long-haul routes. A few extra snacks or a more substantial second meal would make the economy feel more complete.

If you’re flying WestJet internationally, consider upgrading to premium economy.

The meal service alone looked significantly better, and the overall experience is worth it if you can justify the extra cost.

Would I fly WestJet’s 787 in economy again? Sure, but I’d probably bring some extra snacksโ€”just in case.