The BEST CREW EVER? WestJet Encore Dash 8-400 Montreal to Toronto

In February, I flew with WestJet Encore between Montreal and Toronto on their Bombardier Q400/De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400.
I booked this trip as part of flying on the first revenue flight of WestJet’s Dreamliner in February, from Toronto to Calgary, so I decided to make a side trip to Montreal beforehand.
See what I thought of WestJet Encore in this trip report!
Shoutout to Will for laughing at my pain / willrdaviation
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FLIGHT INFORMATION
Airline: WestJet Encore (WEN/WR)
Aircraft: De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 (DH8D)
Flight Number: WR3513
Seat: 4A/1A
Livery: New (2015)
Engines: 2x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A
Registration: C-FWEP
Route: Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) - Toronto-Pearson (YYZ)
Callsign: ENCORE 3513
Runway used: 24L (YUL) - 05 (YYZ)
Date filmed: February 2019
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Outro song by Nyhtian: / @mylor.x
#TallPeopleFlying
© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2019
This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission.
MEDIA: Please contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.

[@philippedouvillecopreni7851]

Glad you enjoyed your flight, I recognized my voice in the PA, I was your FO :)

[@Schneizel00]

Are you a captain yet ;))

[@philippedouvillecopreni7851]

I was, unfortunately due to layoffs I’m not anymore. Hopefully soon :)

[@michaelsoars17]

That’s nice I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be a pilot

[@pog2346]

Dang

[@JulesD92]

@@philippedouvillecopreni7851 still at it? My best friend used to be a Cpt on the Q out of YYC, he just made the switch to the Big League at AC.

[@davidxu6877]

“Stop laughing at my feet!” 😆

[@reddyt1d658]

0:28 we can tell it was filmed much earlier this year, Wow Air is still in business 😂

[@pissdragon]

Ouch

[@epiccollision]

They all might be bankrupt soon enough, I wouldn’t count chickens...

[@benrgrogan]

And he talks about Flybe who are also no longer around

[@mariannefoucrault]

Everytime I have a 6'8" pax I always wonder if it's you! 😅 maybe one day!!

[@vikramcyca5528]

See if he is filming.

[@robm3074]

Alex… I totally agree with you on the leg room. I would never use the language here that I feel describes the torture, no matter what airline you fly anymore or what aircraft . I am 6'4" and I feel your pain. Pretty soon we are going to end up having to check our legs at the gate before we board these aircraft and receive a valet tag.

[@andytaylor1588]

Watch the legs get lost and end up in Tahiti and then come back with a tan.

[@epiccollision]

So how’s that air travel treating ya?

[@supdude6027]

Good westjet, I love that airline they always care and great service In General

[@28add11]

The westjet flight attendants are great! There was even a video of a westjet flight attendant doing a comedy routine that went viral!

[@FinnTheCanadian]

Most Canadian carries have at least decent service but WestJet service is just above all

[@andytaylor1588]

hmmm....I still have scars from Air Crapada "service". Service with a snarl. Where they aren't happy until we are not happy. Perhaps it is better now. It helps to have competition again, I suppose, now that the evil federal government is almost done driving all competitors out of business.

[@ltaproductions7989]

You've never been on Porter, have you?

[@lazersharkaviation]

Your not wrong

[@cancelanime1507]

Andy Taylor air Canada has great service wtf are u talking about?

[@epiccollision]

Andy Taylor no @aircanada is still objectively awful. But they’ll be bankrupt soon and become a crown corporation again in a flash...here’s hoping🤞🏻

[@RecordsTravels]

I had a great experience flying with WestJet......the crews all seemed genuinely happy and eager to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Total no-brainer to move you to a seat that allows you to be comfortable if it is going to be unoccupied otherwise.

[@FinnTheCanadian]

WESTJET SERVICE IS AMAZING

[@andytaylor1588]

I have always found them personable and human. It's delightful.

[@100brucebrown]

Actually found the service on Air Canada and Westjet pretty good over the years...

[@Flyby-1000]

Great video... I love the Q400's... FYI an clairification for future reference....Altitude call outs are from the radio altimeter... The call outs from GPWS (Ground Proximity Warming System) are ones you don't want to hear...like "WHOOP WHOOP...PULL UP!" or "TOO LOW GEAR"...TOO LOW FLAPS!"

[@Transit21]

Wow you got lucky with that seat change/upgrade.

[@Adriatic1290]

The closest to a face reveal on this channel

[@BinkBricks]

I'm pretty sure there was a full face reveal on a Mark Brandon video about the final Dash 8-300 flight with Air Canada. I may be wrong though.

[@SkyblueAviation]

That’s a great trip report Alex! The crew really is amazing for letting you move up on to the first row! WestJet truly is an airline to try out. Cheers! 😄✈️

[@DandyHiggins]

I can very much relate on the legroom problem while flying, I am 6’4 and on my last flight DEN-LAX on a United 757 in economy I was hurting for 2 days after the flight and it was only a 2 hour flight.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Great trip report. 👍 I love that your seat neighbour found it amusing. 😂😂 Wow ... I didn’t know jetways could connect to Q400s. Here in Australia you always board using their fold down stairs. 🤔

[@aadvantagegold5220]

Same case here in the United States (Horizon Air). However, at Anchorage, Horizon did modify a couple jetways to take Dash 8 400s

[@codycoopernz]

Aus Flight Channel same here in NZ. Going to assume it’s due to the extreme temperatures in Canada

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Cody C Makes sense.

[@christophercollins8958]

The q400 is my favorite commercial aircraft. They just look and sound so cool

[@davidv2002]

best crew i had was on an air canada dash 8. it was calgary to edmonton. they gave full snack and drink service on the short hop. this was also back when air canada wasn’t giving free snacks on domestic flights (atleast the ones to and from toronto didn’t give free snacks). the steward also knew how to calm down a baby, he was funny a guy.

[@gnhansen29]

It's interesting seeing an Aerobridge connecting to a Dash8 turboprop.

[@hibye3002]

Thanks so much Alex! Your videos are good

[@infiniteaviation6352]

WestJet Encore seems like a very good carrier, Last time I flew with AirCanada Express on their Q-400, AirCanada oversold the flight by four people, and they were told to try to get seats in the WestJet Link Saab 340-B parked next to us.

[@johnsymons76]

What exceptional service from your WestJet crew! Unfortunately, the consideration that they showed you is not what one expects on airlines today. Kudos to WestJet for bringing back common sense and courtesy in dealing with their passengers! Take care and Happy Travels! ♥️🛫🌐

[@qcforever5]

WestJet is awesome! Another good thing with them, it’s they don’t overbook their flights! Thank you WestJet!

[@Ben-xe8ps]

Have never encountered an aircraft lavatory with no running water. I am curious as to what 'service' is actually given in these premium seats. A glass of coke (on an early morning flight - surely juice or preferably coffee would be more appropriate?) and a granola bar? Was that the 'premium' service or did the real premium passengers get something more? Are these premium seats simply extra legroom seats (the fact that you say only the bulkhead rows have extra legroom would seem to imply the other premium seats don't have any extra legroom) or do they provide a different service? If they do offer a different service then don't think much of the lack of any cabin divider. What do you actually get for the extra cost of travelling 'premium' on these flights?

[@JayJayAviation]

I love pronouncing registrations lol GURP and GUDO are my favorite

[@iVince905]

Westjet actually has a 737 with a regs of C-FUMF

[@JayJayAviation]

Sounds like someone jumping onto a mattress lol

[@cheesesticks1537]

C-GABO

[@JayJayAviation]

I have a model of that registration lol

[@cheesesticks1537]

@@JayJayAviation dash 8 300 right?

[@rpm1796]

Great review...and then some Allie. This is brilliant news for me...to hear that the Thomson clan has reclaimed the name and relaunched the De Havilland brand back into our skies....and are now in the process of launching a Next Generation DHC-5 Buffulo series.

[@BPanio]

I think I'm in this video. Hard to tell but I'm pretty sure I'm in the tractor with the two carts attached near the end of the video

[@GeraldMcGinley]

Fantastic as always! Hopefully the re-branding of the Q will make it's way to other airlines soon...

[@yqyaviation3649]

Alex I had that same seat on Aircanadas Dash8-400 from YUL Montreal to YQY Sydney. It was awesome hearing the call outs at landing!

[@somedudeinchirons4936]

I work with wesjet! And i love your videos! Im glad you could fly westjet!

[@mintybudgie]

im so used to alex's enthuiasm in his voice in his newer videos so naturally i thought his voice in this video was text to speech

[@flyc3]

Another great video Alex. Just out of interest, if the lavatory doesn’t have running water, is there anything provided to wash your hands?

[@marceldavidmitchell]

I recently flew the WestJet q400 from Toronto to Fredricton and back. I’m 6’2” and it was a tight squeeze. I’m less inclined to fly any airline that has less than 32 inch seat pitch but those airlines are increasingly rare.

[@JoseRamos747]

Enjoyed this one a lot!! I love flying the q400s in Innsbruck, both the propeller and landing gear views always offer nice captures :) Liked!!

[@donnatabakman9771]

I’m only 6’2” but I can feel your pain! Enjoyed the video.

[@borninjordan7448]

Me too. I'm 6'5'. :)

[@gmitchellfamily]

I did YYC-YQU a few years ago and at 6'4" it was painful.

[@hamzadurvesh6388]

You should try flying from Toronto Billy bishop airport on Porter airlines

[@100brucebrown]

Wanted too in early March but they canceled the flight.

[@stan1951ful]

Happy New Year!!

[@100brucebrown]

Flown the westjet 400's. Pretty great flights on a great aircraft.

[@wilfstor3078]

I may be only 5'6 but I have to say the legroom on the Jazz Q400s isn't bad. Spent a total of two hours this christmas in them between YUL and YTZ. Because of this there is stiff competition with Porter so the amount of complimentary snacks there are is insane. You should try it. In my opinion great service for a economy class ticket.

[@TheDanx666]

I would love to see more tripreports from you. You do a really good job

[@theglobalpeasant]

Love the q400's, but space is definitely at a premium on them!

[@BayAreaTraveler]

wonderfully narrated trip report. well done!

[@VidiGoR1]

Great vid Alex! minus the white socks..;-D... why are the spoilers raised just before takeoff?

[@andytaylor1588]

They are checking the spoilers to ensure they will raise and lower properly. This has been a problem with an airliner in the past, I can imagine.

[@maplebacon__]

Just a feature of the Q400. They are lowered once take off thrust is applied and deploy again once idle and weight on wheels.

[@VidiGoR1]

AAL284 this is strange...

[@HDCOCKPITSCENES]

Let me know next time u come in Montreal. I can arrange a filming session at Air Inuit's Hangar and a 737-200 departure

[@dasboatnerd]

Having done the Yellowknife to Calgary flight in a Q400, best advice is to just plug in some music and take a snooze.

[@SkyHighGuys]

WestJet always looks amazing! Can’t wait to someday fly them. Great video :)

[@AvgeekCarGeek]

Ah Deicing how I miss doing that. Can't wait for Winter 2020. Nice video absolutely love the Q400 wish we had them in New Zealand, But hey we do have the -300 so all good.

[@mackenzieb2218]

That was such a smooth landing.

[@thetwopointslow]

Beautiful wintry Canadian scenery

[@andreforcier97]

Great work again!! About your seat reassignment, don’t really think the cabin crew did much more then ask gate agents/supervisor. A lot of carriers are getting pretty strict about this. Especially when you look at some of the fare differences between best rate Y to a premium Y, J/F. At AC if they get caught doing it (without the ok) they can get in some heavy 💩. Forget a 3hr flt... if it was just 1hr I think you would survive with minimal scarring. If you had the isle seat you would have been able to lift the armrest and get a bit more room till they did a service. Could you imagine doing a transatlantic/transpacific with only 30” pitch, or even a 28” 😡🤬🤢🤮. Except to see more 30”/28” with any new LCC entering the market. Ryanair is a prime example. Keep up the great work!

[@ymmlspottingteam]

Very handy they let you move forward. Great video!

[@jamesboardman8859]

Alex, I enjoyed this video on the DHC 8-400, (aka Bombardier Q-400) operated by WestJet Encore. As someone who stands 6'3" myself, I understand your problem of being comfortable in any coach seat with a pitch of under 34 inches. It was nice of the crew to allow you to switch seats without paying for any upgrade. I have a question about the lavatory aboard this aircraft, are all toilets onboard these aircraft dry, or was it just this particular plane? I didn't notice a sink either, are all aircraft of this type being operated without running water? The last time I flew a Dash 8 was several years ago, but I do recall it having a flush toilet, and running water at the sink. I can imagine the lavatory on this aircraft might be pretty stinky after a day's use by numerous passengers.

[@RN-DNP]

Alex, I have a suggestion. I believe that Porter's De Havilland D-8s' still offers 34" of seat pitch, so give them a try to provide a more balanced review of the aircraft. Meanwhile, the world population, in general, has gotten much taller and broader in the waist. However, the only way flying consumers will receive any comfort respect from air carriers is that their respective regulating agencies will have to mandate seat pitch standards. Fat chance of that happening.

[@caleproteau1060]

Porter is Changing to the same Seats as Encore. Within the next couple of weeks.

[@MileHigh_Aviation]

Awesome video

[@marriedGary]

Glad they let you move! Also, you are fortunate to not land at the terminal 3 satellite gates where you have to walk miles under the tarmac to get to the main terminal. At least there is a tim Horton’s down there in the dungeon!

[@EVELYNEMIL]

Very enjoyable.

[@larou14]

Lolllll...poor Alex: you are too tall ?!?! That's right this expression ??? Good flight ! 👍😎

[@AbsolutelyEverybody1]

Have you flown on the Fokker 50? This aircraft has good legroom. Also, nice vid. Good work.

[@mohammadsalahuddin2781]

Already flew on the encore dash 8400 or Q400.

[@nathancarr4195]

I’m flying on this plane tomorrow and I’m so scared!

[@johnnyberetta9533]

Aren't they a great turboprop ? And it was great customer relations to let you move up to the roomy premium seat. It wasn't sold...so...

[@QuarioQuario54321]

Name is misleading, this should be called WestProp. Air Canada’s Q400s use a slight more comfortable 74 seat config.

[@amtrakharry]

Holly Crap Alex!!! What a sardine can! I'm 6'6" tall and "weight :)" a little bit more than you !!! :):):) How much would it have been to pre -book that extra legroom seat... I have just one more question for you ? If you had to could you have sat down on that toilet seat or stood up to use that so called bathroom or would you have had to be wearing a "depends"diaper ??? I'm serious !!! :):):) Thank you for sharing that video with us!!!:):):)

[@nados3258]

You can hear the callouts from the cockpit just before touchdown! Listen closely

[@leafamania1]

You guys must have bionic ears ... years of loud rock music has taken its toll on me I guess

[@nados3258]

leafamania1 lol

[@gavinsaviation]

I HEARD THEM IT SAID 50 40 30 20 10

[@smallmj2886]

Thanks for the video. I will definitely avoid Encore unless I can get a front row seat.

[@jacksonB24]

The thumbnails always look sooo gooood!

[@JeremysAviation]

Good review

[@garystrankman3841]

Oh poor Alex that really does look painful !

[@gavinsaviation]

2:08 music? Aight yall not telling me what the music is I was wondering what that wonderful tune is

[@m-foh]

I both love and hate this aircraft at the same time

[@yxeaviationphotog]

I'm 6'1" and a larger guy.....thankfully I wasn't too uncomfortable, but anything longer than YXE to YYC and YYC to YQQ would have me wanting to get off the aircraft. lol

[@cadelegg6439]

Hi Alex, wondering what type of camera mount you use for windows.

[@EpicThe112]

Just have a question about WestJet do they ever fly the Q400 into United States from Eastern Canada. Specifically LaGuardia Airport in Queens New York although Air Canada dominates this because they usually send planes to Newark Airport to feed United Airlines in addition to LaGuardia Airport. There's AC584/585 YYC-EWR.

[@lonistewart3405]

My God, looked bitterly cold that day!

[@roye2479]

Pretty sure its the rad alt, not the gpws that calls out the altitude During landings.

[@lancer011]

Lol I hope you bought a drink for the guy in 2A who thought he was going to have an empty seat beside him 😛

[@evilanonymousorg2560]

And you can also practice the art of learning, such as bringing along a book to read.

[@davisbyer4791]

Can you speak to the comfort of the seat itself? I find encore's seats are like sitting on plywood. No cushioning at all.

[@caleproteau1060]

Hey Alex! You should give Porter Airlines a Shot if you want a great Experience in a Q! Its an amazing experience landing in YTZ and their crew is amazing (Non Bias Opinion ;) )

[@karlossargeant3872]

This Westjet Encore Bombardier Q400 I'm fa sure will be Interesting I hope too fly on Westjet Encore Q400 Turboprops soon hopefully on a Toronto To Edmonton!!!!

[@armanhaji]

You should include the flight duration in the video descriptions.

[@bethb7965]

He did say it was a one hour 25 minute flight.

[@cyriluebbing22]

Nice

[@stephlat039]

We will always do our best to accommodate your comfort when we can my friend. :) We sincerely love you!Yours truly..Wjs flight attendants

[@hanssamson5436]

Do u know which is the maximum altitude for the dash 8 goes to?

[@davidlawand2805]

One: why didn’t you tell me you were in Montreal???? I live in south Laval Which is like less than 2 minutes away from the CYUL Two: why did you blur your face?? I’ve been waiting a long while for this video lol

[@omarijoseph3189]

you have a good speaking voice for your videos...

[@valeriecosh8304]

Mmm you haven’t been on one of my flights I promise you haven’t had your best crew yet… Now the struggle, getting you on one of my flights 😂😂😂

[@dennyhuang240]

bwahahaha loved the "#TallPeopleFlying"

[@hankponcelet6961]

How tall are you?

[@jasminejohnston6393]

I prefer jets to turboprop planes just because jets fly higher where there’s less turbulence, but I fly more often in turboprops unless I fly long distance then I’m usually in a 737

[@CJetsPlanespotting]

First time on Encore, eh? Well it sure is a good airline.

[@thomasgamerthebiggestroblo2591]

My hometown canada is toronto But i live in Montreal but westJet is my plane thx anyways dude :D

[@BtoZ403]

love it..

[@andytaylor1588]

My problem is not height. I am broad in the shoulders and hips, for some horrible reason. Even when younger and more fit, I had a bit of an issue, even on Air Canada's 707s, where everyone else on the plane seemed just fine.

[@AvionJordan]

Lol nearly a year later but good video

[@flyguy905]

Unfortunately, Jazz's Dash-8-400s aren't any better. I've been on them a few times and they have the exact configuration as Encores. I'm about 6'1" and I really have a hard time in those seats unless I don't have a seat neighbor beside me. Luckily its only 45mins from Sudbury to Toronto on those things

[@caleproteau1060]

Porters Qs are Better. They have the classic Seats for now. But they are switching over too

[@citibear57]

Wow Alex! I never knew that you were 6'-8" tall. Your initial seat was way too cramped for you. You looked less comfortable than an adult riding in the (cramped) third row seats in an SUV! I haven't flown anywhere since 2006, and I have the reverse problem than yours. I have grown sideways, and am not sure if even a business class seat would be wide enough. I guess they'll have to put me in the cargo hold ...or strap me to the wings! 😄

[@embrj1453]

I think that people may have some control about their weight, but size como'n

[@I_am_Allan]

Should have taken the train from MTL to TO.

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

WJ are the best!

[@duychu3856]

west jets is the best try london route from toronto or calgary