I Flew in WestJet's NEW INTERIOR 737 MAX!

Around this time last year, WestJet quietly introduced a new interior on their latest 737 MAXs.
Physically, this new cabin is essentially the same as the rest of the MAX fleet, but has some new touches bringing it more in line with those on their 787s.
This is a pretty noteworthy change since, with the exception of the new premium seats, the look of their 737 cabin hasn’t changed much in the last couple of years.
I lucked out with one of these new interior planes on a flight from Ottawa to Calgary back in March, and I thought it was worth taking a closer look!
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SOURCES:
WestJet MAX 8/10 new seat map: news.paxeditions.com/news/air...
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FLIGHT INFORMATION
Airline: WestJet (WJA.WS)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-8 MAX (B38M)
Flight Number: WS613
Seat: 15F (Economy)
Livery: Revised (2022)
Engines: 2x CFM LEAP-1B
Registration: C-GPFT
Route: Ottawa (YOW) - Calgary (YYC)
Callsign: WESTJET 613
Runway used: 25 (YOW) - 35R (YYC)
Date filmed: March 2023
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Outro song - "Take Flight" by Nyhtian: • Nyhtian - Take Flight ...
© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2023
This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission. Contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.

[@roses.9181]

I love that there is a Canadian reviewer who posts awesome videos like this!

[@DMSparky]

I’m flying out to Ottawa on WS 610 from Calgary next Friday. It would be neat if I had the opportunity to see the new seating design. Seeing Airforce Force 1 is super cool, probably disappointing that you weren’t able to properly catch the landing like you had hoped but still cool to see footage and the photos you did get. The take off view was rather spectacular as well! I’m definitely envious of the opportunity to make all these special trips to just see cool places and cool planes!

[@thebigdog360]

I flew on PFT to Toronto just a couple flights after you did here back in march. I agree that the cosmetic refresh certainly adds alot, even if comfort may or may not have decreased!

[@KerloTech]

As a fan of yours from Ottawa, I Loved seeing the Ottawa departure and airport review! My favourite part of the airport is the arrivals area with the water wall. :)

[@robinstevens9189]

I was lucky enough to have been standing in the Denny's parking lot on 16 av/ 19 st NE in May 2002 when both 747's departed after the G8. They are gorgeous aircraft! Disappointing that the weather didn't cooperate.

[@MDAVIATION747]

Wow that new cabin and livery is beautiful

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing your trip here. Yes, I am 6'2" and I always try to get the Exit Row seating when I book in Economy Class. I need the leg room and knee space.

[@fdanieln8759]

Another great video Alex! And I noticed you're shooting for 100k! The new seat does look MUCH better, but those seats don't look as comfortable. I wonder how well it'll hold up over time. I'm curious about the comment about integrating Swoops ULCC concept into WJ mainline. Perhaps the back portion will be tighter legroom the the ULCC ticket price/basic fares and "nicer" seats further up included with standard fare bookings? Just trying to think how it could work. Thanks for sharing!

[@DavidLim2319]

Great video as always! Flying to Calgary from Winnipeg (home) on AC8331 in August! You should do a flight review out or from Winnipeg sometime!

[@AviationGuy421]

I just love the livery of the WestJet 737 max. Love the new seats!

[@karlossargeant3872]

😊 Westjet Trip Reports in Toronto Canada is the best Alex nuff Respect to All your Videos on Aviation and Travel keep going and Dream Big on Aviation 100% Man

[@JoeFard]

Glad you enjoyed YOW, Alex!

[@PLANEMANIA747]

Seat color looks good 👍 Beautiful video ❤

[@ronparrish6666]

Took the new max 8 from Toronto to Vegas 2 months ago was like sitting on plywood and very cramped more comfortable on there old 737 dash 7 hopefully Porter starts the route soon

[@brucecanmore3788]

Nice to have fresh lipstick, sad another reduction in personal space. Great footage and nice colours. Always happy to see hometown and resident Calgarian. Maybe Stampede will bring some special aircraft.

[@cskvision]

I flew WJ to New York with the new cabin, and the larger overhead bins and accent ceiling lighting is a big improvement

[@Snakepit92]

Looks really nice, I like the new touches

[@airline_aviation12]

Love these videos Alex

[@jcbaily5559]

A real treat to start my day.....glad you got to see Air Force 1, just sorry our embarrassment was onboard.....take care and have a great day!

[@davidjames6879]

I have 3 flights in August onboard the Westjet 738 and hoping it at least will have new interior, especially in premium seating where I will be. Thanks Alex for the great info and another great video.

[@JayJayAviation]

These seats are only on some newer 737 MAXs, not the -800s yet. Though they -800s do have the same premium seats

[@codyslade5558]

Great review. Love WestJet when flying to and about Canada 🇨🇦.

[@user-iy4zi4ol4b]

I really like the very appropriate look of this plane's interior🛫

[@JohnHuitema]

Wow I was at the Ottawa airport the exact same day as you. I was unfortunately caught in the temporary grounding when AF1 came in. Just my luck lol

[@michaelleetrini3635]

It be interesting to see what WestJet does next , as they cut lots of flight from the east coast

[@noahgaulton1967]

i flew that exact same plane in the of march to toronto from edmonton, wonderful interior but it would be nice if they brought screens over like the dream liner

[@natelarade1676]

I flew on the Max with their new interior and i loved it! It was a five hour flight so I got to spend sometime exploring the seat

[@davidbalcon8726]

Glad you saw AF1. I was fortunate to be having a late lunch at the legendary In’n’Out Burger adjacent to LAX when Obama arrived on this bird. At first thought it was a KLM 747 but as it came closer for landing it was clear what it was. (Another time with a long connection @LAX drove up to the Reagan presidential library and toured his 707 AF1 and Marine1 helicopter. Saw one of the others…there were more than two 707 variants…at the Puma Arizona air museum. Not sure where the two current 747 versions will be retired to.)

[@CuteSealYHM]

I flew on one of these "new interior" 737 MAX from Vancouver to Honolulu last month, didn't really notice anything though as I've never flown on a Westjet 737 MAX before

[@leep5113]

The photos of AF1 are fantastic, with the fog.

[@Themapleleaforever]

I was in one this week, coming home. They were much nicer than the NG I flew on

[@libnizhr]

Loved that zooming in onto the AF1 🤣🤣

[@starlitesoapstudio6642]

Another excellent review, Alex, thank you! Just a note though... you refer to Westjet as a "low cost carrier" but I think they left that concept behind some years ago. Route for route, dollar for dollar, their rates and services seem to match their competitors.

[@TheUnforgiven69]

By "competitors" you mean Air Canada. WJ is always cheaper than AC. Sometimes it's only 100 dollars, but many times its 300 cheaper for the exact same flight that AC offers. Do your research before commenting please.

[@Akshay_Rajbongshi_]

Fantastic interior 😊😊😊

[@peterj.teminski6899]

Thanks for your report Alex. Thanks to you I am now aware that WestJet and Porter do not have seat back entertainment. This is troublesome when having dinner and trying to finish that movie at the same time. Thanks again. Cheers.

[@CaptureKing247]

It's great that both WestJet and Porter have slots on their seatbacks that you can slide a tablet cover into.

[@jcspotter7322]

I got the chance to try westjet from atlanta to vancouver, honestly wasn't all that impressed with them. The flight up didn't have many issues outside of a 5 hr flight with minimum snack options, but the flight back was a mess. On the 737-800, the seats were rock hard and getting to the gate to sit there for an hour because their gate agents were missing

[@francoisgagnon5335]

Another great video, Alex! The new seat covers are great too, it was about time! One thing though, as of july 2023, I'm not sure what is the Westjet brand now and what could customers expect from them. The branding, the prices, the changes to their operations doesn't seem to make sense one to each other. Maybe i'm wrong and if it's the case, explain it to me! :)

[@TheUnforgiven69]

Explain what? You arent asking any type of question that makes sense. I am guessing English is a secondary language for you and that's fine. Just learn to be clearer on what you are trying to convey. Nothing you said made genius lol

[@ellisonketovore]

Great report! Thanks as always! Westjet's hard products still seriously lacks compared to AC especially given typically the same fares and hard to believe WS would install a completely new interior and not include a tablet or phone holder in the seatback for the streaming service, rather pathetic. Their BOB also lacks compared to AC with AC offering business class meals for purchase in Y and far fresher more varied variety. WS needs to decide whether they're an LCC or a legacy carrier, right now it seems like they don't do either particularity well and overall the mgmt seems to lack vision and direction. Regardless, nice to see some sort of cabin upgrade as the older -800s and -700s are grim to say the least.

[@danieloconnell4225]

Fair observation; for a long time, WestJet positioned itself as the less-expensive alternative to Air Canada, but now they are basically the same price (and often enough higher) with a smaller fleet (so more issues if there's delays or cancellations) and with as you noted an inferior hard product. I won't avoid WestJet if it's the best price for where I am going, but I absolutely will prefer to fly Air Canada if the costs are proximal.

[@cybilmartin8889]

​@@danieloconnell4225 Same tiny seats, new less fugly cabin. I did the YYZ-YYC shuffle for work for two years, put a lot of miles in, took WS twice, once to try it, the second to give them a second chance, there wasn't a third. It's not any one thing that put me off, just, at the time, the planes were run down and everything felt like a gouge, no IFE etc. I can live with a podcast and my knitting, but c'mon and put in a phone holder. I mean they can tart the interior up but I found AC just felt a tiny bit more polished and somehow that was enough.

[@mariachrzski18]

I am obsessed with this interior! I was lucky enough to fly C-GTSW (the newest one) #327 in the end of May!

[@Themapleleaforever]

I think that was the one I flew on this weekend

[@mariachrzski18]

Cool! Where did you go?

[@Themapleleaforever]

@@mariachrzski18 Winnipeg from Edmonton flight

[@noahstrauss]

Come to Winnipeg Porter Launch!

[@YYCFlyer]

Agree, Alex, that this looks much better than the old cabin, which was looking very tired and dated.

[@nafeekarim2780]

Favourite airline in Canada ❤

[@mjaviation17]

Flew the inaugural IAD-YYC flight a few weeks ago on the -800. Seats were miserable for the five hour flight. Being a Delta Medallion member is felt like a whole new world! Those seats look 1000% more comfortable than the all black.

[@JayJayAviation]

They’re the same seats

[@HenrikRBX]

5:30 I thought he was zooming in to the sunset but no, he was zooming into the 747. I saw a 747 landing at YVR the other day.

[@SkyHighAviation4639]

Hi Alex! Are you going to the mirabel air show in September!

[@retroflashbackdude]

One detail you missed. On the Boeing fleet, the first few rows of economy are extra legroom (renamed Extended Comfort as of yesterday) offering 3-6” more pitch and 2” more recline. Plus WestJet transitioned from a low cost to a full service airline in 2017.

[@traciAnderson-wx2wv]

On the 737 Max 8 - do you know if the row after the premium economy - so ROW 4, can I put my purse under the seat of the row 3 (premium. economy)?

[@Taffy_Jaffe]

Intersting that on the side of the plane Westjet omitted the Max designation on the livery.

[@thebigdog360]

WS has never put "MAX" on the airplanes, even when they recieved their first one back in 2017. Just 737-8. Some airlines do, some don't.

[@JayJayAviation]

They’ve been doing that since they were first delivered in 2017. This is nothing new, nor is it to hide the fact that it’s a MAX.

[@shollie]

These seats looking like they got ZERO cushion 😮

[@moldypizza__]

when they do that the seats are thinner so they can fit more seats in in turn making seats cheaper

[@mariachrzski18]

That is absolutely false they are the best (for me anyways). I flew on C-GTSW (the newest one) and it was AWESOME

[@TeddyBearGaming999]

Similar design of seats that many other airlines use, like southwest and air Canada. They’re not the greatest padding-wise but they’re totally fine for a 2-5 hour flight

[@ChrisAmaddeo]

I do have to say these seats are much more comfortable than WestJet’s other seats. Although Air Canada’s seats are still more comfortable and have IFE.

[@StarForgedTCG]

they have 0 padding. its like sitting on a fucling rock. flying to vegas was the most uncomfortable flight ive ever been on. my flight with qantas to australia was fsr more comfortable and my back was less stiff after 27 hours of flying tham my 3 hour flight to vegas

[@lrg3834]

Big improvement on the seat coverings. However, still don't get the tail logo.

[@andysorensen1737]

And hey, they AF1 photos turned out well regardless!

[@beefbrisket168]

looking at the economy seats it looks like the later -700 and -800 seats were just reupholstered to look nice. how I no this I used to work for a WestJet ground contractor

[@denault3985]

I'm liking that new MAX.

[@aimbotefly222]

what camera do u record on?

[@starrwinter]

I really do have a preference for Boeing engine roars/takeoffs (they just sound better) compared to the airbus fleet 💕

[@dustpadx1813]

will you be flying the new ottawa to paris route on airfrance?

[@amtrakharry]

Those seating configurations on those new plans look awful Alex. I recently flew on Westjet for my first time from Vancouver to Nanaimo on a Saab-340. That was the worst leg room ever!!! I understand though as it is a "puddle jumper". :):):) Flair is my go to airline as I try and avoid Pearson like the plague...:):):) I fly out Kitchener-Waterloo Airport. Another great report though Alex. Great catch of Airforce 1 taking off though...

[@ThePimps12]

The instant noodle cups have become insanely popular on flights I’ve been on recently.

[@Niagara_falls99]

Was on air Canada 737 max 8 today all the seats have tv! Did westjet cheap out not get tvs?

[@ericgeorge7874]

I do hope all airlines bring back the inflight magazine. Not only do they usually contain descent content but also the ads that likely not see in your daily life. I'm sure those ads pay for the cost.

[@Blank00]

This looks very similar to the seats KLM put on new/retrofitted 737s

[@Pugyeg]

great seating layout for people without legs

[@ds3829]

And the door stayed shut/plane didn't plummet to the earth? Lucky you!

[@sarah-_-6730]

8:17 mainline AC does normally give a small package of pretzels but i’d still rather have the cookies :p

[@skullgeezer7174]

Absolutely amazing to see an air force one in Canada. Never seen it before in the UK sadly. Also I really like WestJet’s new seat maquette, looks very stylish, especially in Business Class! Though I think it really doesn’t suit the Recaro BL3530 seat WestJet uses, it would be really cool to see it on a Collins Aerospace Meridian, Recaro BL3710 or Safran Z110i seat. Other than that, I would definitely associate this WestJet cabin as new because their old one looked so dull, this one looks so much more bright and colourful.

[@nicolas2970]

That was an awesome report Congrats to Westjet on the new cabins on the MAX also that C5 that you can see on take off was also apart of Bidens entourage I believe it comes ahead of him with among other things "The Beast" which is the presidential limousine. 🙃

[@krysc2009]

YOW airport setup has never been the same every time I fly in/out of there. I'm sure they're re-modelling it ever 4 years at this rate.

[@ThePowerofJames]

The week POTUS landed we were actually getting married, and we had family coming in from the US at the same time, they got delayed over 4 hours for the AF1 landing

[@stanleybest8833]

The forward seats have horrible DeHaviland Comet style armrest walls. They could only be worse if they made them out of cinderblocks. The new Leap motors sound like old Pratt + Whitney's. Nice

[@Astral15411]

i will be doing a simular vid cause i recently flew on their max for i think the first time!

[@dougraincock4515]

Air force 1 tour video. Make it happen

[@stevemclean9411]

Delta sells WJ premium as first class.

[@chrismredsox1]

I've never flown WestJet as I'm a UA million miler and therefore the only Canadian airline I've used is AC - I must say that this interior looks pretty weak in comparison to the Airbus A220-300 I recently flew on from SFO - YYZ. The 220 had wider seats in a 2-3 configuration so only one middle seat per row and the seats are the widest I've experienced in economy. I'll stick with AC when traveling in Canada.

[@JayJayAviation]

Air Canada has more 737s than A220s

[@journeyswithj246]

Was there only one B747-200? Seems that both don't always fly together.

[@dalydegagne1839]

Good review. Too bad that WestJet insists on cramming in additional seats. It's time to call WestJet out, as well as other carriers, for what the cramming is - greed, and lack of concern for those who have to sit in those seats. I understand the need to maximize profits, but at what expense? Also, and may there never be a need for it, in the event of an emergency evacuation of the cabin in a potentially life threatening situation, those extra seats increase the evac times and the level of risk for both cabin crew and pax.

[@EmersonHaensel]

I really dig the new Flair cabin with their black seats and green accents

[@mariachrzski18]

Me too! And this new WestJet interior is also a chef's kiss for me

[@Mikey3399]

I am curious to know the EXACT seat pitch in inches for economy class in this configuration?

[@JayJayAviation]

It’s on WestJet’s website

[@sebz2962]

fly to hamilton

[@CaptureKing247]

15F? You would think a veteran traveler would have selected or paid for a better seat; especially since you are tall

[@kirk8359]

Are you in the industry or work in oil; how do you afford to fly so much? I'll hop in my car to go see something, but a flight just to see AF1? Must be nice.

[@yourtravelswithbruce]

I've circled YOW for hours when AF1 was schedule to take off. That was back when Obama was visiting.

[@Patrickair4444]

Westjet free snakes

[@ryanbyrne2917]

Looks like Alaska’s interior with a different color scheme

[@retroflashbackdude]

The premium seats on the 737’s are also the same model Alaska has on their 737s (the Recaro 4710).

[@jasminejohnston6393]

My dad wants to take me on a jet plane. He hasn’t flown in a jet since he was a little boy

[@DM-yj9qf]

that lavatory is tight, and not in a good way.

[@jfmezei]

As per your request: "LIKE". 🙂Saddened to see Westjet follow Air Canada and reduce seat pitch to make flying as miserable as possible. In the end, they should just get A220s and fill them only with premium class. No point in buying larger jets if you don't want coach passengers (which is the signla an airline sends when it makes coach as miserable as possible to push sales to premium product).

[@manualflight]

Westjet's new direction sucks imo. Just as I thought they are starting to compete very well with Air Canada in Domestic and International market, they pull back and are focusing on Western Canada. Those Toronto cross atlantic flights are great if you are going to London... they just needed a connecting partner to make it very attractive option.

[@dominicstewart1941]

Westjet still cant find it in their heart to install seatback screens on their maxes😔

[@JayJayAviation]

Saves a lot of weight by doing what they do now

[@karans9228]

No inflight entertainment? Sad. Though maybe they are trying to be like Southwest now.

[@JayJayAviation]

7:02 He talks about the entertainment.

[@retroflashbackdude]

@ibrplayz892one thing to note about WestJet’s IFE streaming is that unlike most carriers like AA, the inflight entertainment on your device using the streaming system is paused when an announcement is made.

[@susanableton8647]

Hello Alex. Really enjoy your videos so please keep making them. I will take the time at this point to really voice my disappointment at the way our Canadian airlines continue to cram as many seats in their aircraft as possible making it extremely uncomfortable to travel. As someone who travelled more in the 70's and 80's there were the really the peak of airline travel when Air Canada, Canadian Pacific, Wardair provided internationally high standards. I no longer have any desire to travel because of the poor choices we Canadians have. You either have to have lots of money to pay for business or first class, and apparently even then, our services are lacking. This does not include the hard working airline staff who have to work in very difficult circumstances. Its our monopolistic, greedy, executives of our airlines making the decisions.

[@karlossargeant3872]

Also I hope to fly on Westjet New Boeing 737 Max 8's in the upcoming Future God's Willing!!!!

[@zigarten]

Thank god, the seats are brutal. Lynx were/are better

[@googlreviews7813]

West Jet was always best airline in Canada, in both service and affordability. I knew Clive Beddoe personally and when he ran that airline, that's all I flew on. Now I never use WestJet, just like I never use Air Canada. Fortunately for me, i do most flights that are overseas so i use an airline based out of the country where I am flying to and from, WestJet and Air Canada are easily among the worst airlines in the world at the moment.

[@milospuric8905]

737 Мax without tv😢

[@JayJayAviation]

Bring your own device and use the inflight entertainment

[@Blank00]

Will they retrofit this onto all their existing 737s?

[@absolutelynotarii]

Most likely, yes

[@drumswest5035]

Those seats look really cheap, i think my headphones have more padding! They still definitely look like a low cost airline.

[@igdes1]

What a beautiful flat earth view.

[@peachtpm2528]

Maybe it's because being the "Spirit" of Canada doesn't really reminds anything good lol

[@xkr510]

Cramped seats and washrooms. Nope

[@alcampbell3110]

Most uncomfortable airplane I've ever flown. How is it you can build an aircraft like that and not pay any attention to comfort

[@troopool]

"I hope we meet Joe Biden on the runway" 🤣