• WestJet 737 MAX 8
    WestJet
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    WS/WJA
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Calgary International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1994
    CEO:
    Alexis von Hoensbroech
    Country:
    Canada

Calgary-based WestJet is Canada's second-largest airline, with only flag carrier Air Canada sitting ahead of it in the rankings. It operates a diverse fleet that features everything from turboprops and narrowbody jets up to widebodies. Let's take a closer look at its exact makeup, to see what it is that makes WestJet tick.

Widebodies

According to figures made available by ch-aviation.com's extensive database, WestJet's fleet presently comprises a total of 163 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 787s have an average age of 2.1 years old, and it 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). Data from ATDB.aero shows that 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 five different variants. All in all, it has 110 737s at its disposal, with models of the type ranging considerably in terms of their size.

WestJet Boeing 737-600
WestJet's 737-600s are its smallest turbofan-powered aircraft. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.

Of these aircraft, 11 are examples of the short-fuselage 737-600 variant. WestJet's 737-600s have an average age of 16.3 years old, and it received its first in August 2005. They have a two-class, 113-seat configuration, consisting of 12 premium and 101 economy seats. Historically, WestJet has flown another two 737-600s.

WestJet also operates larger variants from the 737NG family. The most numerous of these is the mid-size 737-700. WestJet has 43 of these 130-seaters at its disposal, and these twinjets also have an average age of 16.3 years old. Meanwhile, there are 37 examples of the younger (10.2 years old on average) and larger (174 seats) examples of the 737-800 in WestJet's fleet.

WestJet Boeing 737
Photo: Boeing

The airline industry is always full of new developments! What aviation news will you check out next?

Interestingly, WestJet also has two cargo-carrying Boeing 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) aircraft at its disposal. These are its oldest aircraft, with an average age of 17.8 years. It received the first of these earlier this year.

WestJet's fifth and final present 737 family variant is that of the next-generation MAX 8 version. These modern twinjets have the same 174-seat (12 premium and 162 economy) configuration as the older 737-800s, but a much lower average age of just 3.3 years old across the 17 examples. The carrier has seven more on order, as well as 13 smaller MAX 7s, and four stretched MAX 10s.

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 trend in the US and Canada by flying 47 Dash 8-Q400s under the WestJet Encore brand.

WestJet Dash 8
WestJet Encore has almost Dash-8-400s at its disposal. Photo: BriYYZ via Flickr

According to SeatGuru, these follow the trend of their mainline counterparts by featuring a small premium 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. Both cabins feature 2-2 seating. WestJet Encore's Dash 8s have an average age of 6.8 years old.

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!