Full Breakdown
WestJet Expands Transatlantic Service Using the Boeing 737 MAX 8
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
During the summer of 2024, WestJet intensified its transatlantic schedule by launching eight new nonstop routes that are all operated exclusively with Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The new connections link four Canadian airports—Halifax (YHZ), Toronto (YYZ), Edmonton (YEG) and Winnipeg (YWG)—to seven European destinations, including Lisbon (LIS), Madrid (MAD), Copenhagen (CPH), Glasgow (GLA), Ponta Delgada (PDL), Cardiff (CWL) and Reykjavík (KEF). This expansion boosted WestJet’s European network by roughly 44 % year-on-year while making the carrier the second-largest narrow-body operator on transatlantic routes, behind only Icelandair.
Background & Context
WestJet’s strategy relies on a highly simplified fleet. The airline’s core fleet consists of only two families: the Boeing 737 series and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. As of the latest data, the carrier operates 69 Boeing 737 MAX 8s (average age 5.0 years), 52 Boeing 737-800s (13.1 years), 25 Boeing 737-700s (19.8 years) and seven Boeing 787-9s (6.8 years). The airline has been phasing out its oldest 737-700s and reconfiguring both the 737-800s and the 737 MAX 8s to share an identical cabin layout, reinforcing operational flexibility and commonality.
Data & Statistics
| Aircraft | Seats per jet | Premium seats | Premium seat share | Seat pitch (inches) | Recline (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 (WestJet) | 174 | 12 (first three rows, 2-2) | < 7 % | Premium: 38 in; Extended Comfort: 34-36 in; Preferred/Standard: 30 in | Premium: 5 in; Extended Comfort: 2-4 in; Preferred/Standard: 2 in |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 (WestJet) – Exit Row | – | – | – | 38 in | – |
| Airbus A321LR (JetBlue) | 138 | 24 Mint suites (lie-flat) | > 21 % | 38 in (Premium Economy) | – |
| Airbus A321XLR (American) | 155 | 20 Flagship Suites (lie-flat) | ? 13 % | 38 in (Premium Economy) | – |
WestJet’s 12 Premium seats represent less than 7 % of each 737 MAX 8’s capacity, whereas JetBlue’s lie-flat Mint suites and American’s Flagship Suites each occupy more than one-tenth of the respective aircraft’s seats.
Official Statements & Responses
She added that a standardized cabin plan combined with the 737 MAX 8’s longer range gives the airline flexibility to shift aircraft among routes that primarily serve leisure travelers.
Why It Matters
WestJet’s reliance on a single-type narrow-body fleet for long-haul, low-density routes illustrates a distinct business model among North-American carriers. By forgoing lie-flat seats and instead offering a uniform recliner-only cabin, the airline can keep ticket prices competitive while maintaining a high aircraft utilization rate. The common-type strategy also reduces training and maintenance costs, as pilots and crews transition seamlessly between the 737-800 and the 737 MAX 8 without needing separate type ratings.
In contrast, rivals such as JetBlue and American Airlines have invested in Airbus A321LR/XLR variants that allocate a larger proportion of seats to premium lie-flat products, targeting higher-yield passengers on comparable routes. WestJet’s approach therefore emphasizes volume and cost efficiency over premium revenue, aligning with its low-cost carrier positioning while still expanding into the lucrative Europe-North America market.