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WestJet serves 39 domestic destinations and 67 international destinations in 28 countries, as of May 2024.

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WestJet Reviews and Flights

• Airlines    

Airline Summary

• Excellent 6,645
• Very Good 4,381
• Average 2,075
• Terrible 3,552
• Premium Economy
• Business Class
• First Class
• All languages ( 17,887 )
• English ( 17,390 )
• French ( 285 )
• Spanish ( 69 )

" Go with a DIFFERENT AIRLINE! No humans working there "

" Don't travel with this airlines. this airlines run by wrong people. "

" Arrive at the airport early. "

" I find the WestJet app to be one of the best out there. Extremely easy to navigate and awesome self-serve options. "

" WestJet plane seats are hard, it’s cold and there’s little leg room and they want you to put your bag in your limited leg space. "

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WestJet Reviews and Flights

• Airlines    

Airline Summary

• Excellent 6,645
• Very Good 4,381
• Average 2,075
• Terrible 3,552
• Premium Economy
• Business Class
• First Class
• All languages ( 17,887 )
• English ( 17,390 )
• French ( 285 )
• Spanish ( 69 )

" Go with a DIFFERENT AIRLINE! No humans working there "

" Don't travel with this airlines. this airlines run by wrong people. "

" Arrive at the airport early. "

" I find the WestJet app to be one of the best out there. Extremely easy to navigate and awesome self-serve options. "

" WestJet plane seats are hard, it’s cold and there’s little leg room and they want you to put your bag in your limited leg space. "

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How to Choose the Right WestJet Fare

WestJet offers passengers a choice of different fare types on all flight bookings.

Some fares are cheaper, but don’t come with flexibility or additional benefits. On the other hand, more expensive fares offer flexibility and include benefits such as advance seat selection, change and cancellation options, and free checked baggage.

In This Post

Westjet’s fares, econo , economy member exclusive fares, premium & premiumflex, premium member exclusive fares, business & businessflex, business member exclusive fares.

WestJet has a total of 10 different fare options, outlined as follows:

• Economy  (Basic, Econo, EconoFlex, and Member Exclusive)
• Premium  (Premium, PremiumFlex, and Member Exclusive)
• Business  (Business, BusinessFlex, and Member Exclusive)

It’s important to note that not all fare options will appear for every flight. For example, many WestJet flights don’t have a business class cabin, and on these flights, you won’t have the option to choose Business fares.

This is especially the case with Swoop’s former narrowbody Boeing 737 aircraft, which are fitted entirely with economy seats. With the recent integration of Swoop into WestJet, the defunct ultra-low-cost carrier’s aircraft now service WestJet flights.

When booking a flight, before you’re able to select one of the 10 fare types, you must first search for your desired flight route and date, and then select your desired cabin class.

After you’ve selected the cabin class, the available fare options will appear.

Choosing the best fare type will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, which can change from flight to flight. This means that there’s no single best fare for every situation.

When it comes to choosing the best fare with WestJet, you’ll want to consider the following:

• Flexibility (i.e., changes and cancellations)
• Luggage (checked and carry-on)
• Seat selection fees

Additionally, you’ll want to take stock of whether you have access to any of the following:

• WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard
• WestJet elite status
• WestJet dollars (WSD)
• Companion vouchers

With these in mind, let’s take a closer look at each of the 10 WestJet fare classes.

The four economy fares offered by WestJet include Basic, Econo, EconoFlex, and Member Exclusive .

Basic fares come with the least amount of flexibility, and in fact, you’re not allowed any changes, cancellations, or refunds whatsoever with these fares.

This means that if you book a Basic fare and you need to change your flight, you’ll be completely out of luck unless you have applicable travel insurance.

However, Basic fares tend to cost the least out of all the fare options, so if you prioritize saving money and can live without the flexibility, then booking this fare class may be the best choice for you.

It’s also worth noting that with the Basic fare, you won’t earn any WestJet dollars, and your spending won’t count towards earning elite status with WestJet.

What’s more, if you’re a WestJet elite Silver, Gold, or Platinum member who’d usually enjoy same-day flight changes, complimentary upgrades, or seat changes, your benefits are automatically voided if you select a Basic fare.

You’ll also have to pay for checked bags and seat selection with Basic fares.

The cost to check a bag will depend on whether you prepay, pay during self-service check-in, or pay at airport check-in. The price also fluctuates depending on your destination.

Keep in mind that if you have the WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard, you’re allowed one free checked bag on any WestJet route, even if you booked a Basic fare. You also enjoy free checked baggage if you have WestJet elite status.

Another add-on cost to consider with a Basic fare is seat selection. The privilege of choosing where you sit on your flight will cost you between $5–250 (all figures in CAD) depending on your flight and the type of seat you’d like to select.

If you don’t pay in advance, your seat will be automatically assigned to you at check-in for no additional fee.

Finally, if you have seat selection vouchers by way of WestJet elite status, you can use those to get around having to pay for seat selection with Basic fares.

Who should book Basic fares?

Despite the restrictions and lack of benefits, Basic fares may still be the best choice in certain scenarios.

First off, if you know you won’t need to change or cancel your flight, then it may make sense for you to enjoy the lowest possible price. However, if your travel plans are still up in the air, a Basic fare limits your ability to make changes or to cancel.

A Basic fare can also be a good choice if you don’t travel with checked bags, or you already get free checked bags with your WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard or WestJet elite status. In these situations, there’s no need to pay for a higher-priced fare just to access free checked bags.

Lastly, if you don’t care about accumulating WestJet dollars, or you’re not interested in earning elite status with WestJet, then Basic fares may be the best choice.

Prior to booking a Basic fare, you’ll want to compare the amount you’ll save by booking the lower fare against how much it’d cost you for any checked baggage and seat selection fees.

If you’re looking to travel while paying as little as possible, and don’t need additional baggage or seats, WestJet’s Basic fares may well be right for you.

WestJet’s Econo fare comes with slightly more benefits and flexibility than the Basic fare.

For starters, you’ll have the option to change or cancel your flight, albeit for a fee.

Both change and cancellation fees are charged per direction, per person, except for flights to and from Europe, where change and cancellation fees are charged per transaction, per person.

To change or cancel an Econo fare, it’ll cost $100–118 (CAD) for all flights between Canada and non-European or Asian destinations. For flights between Canada and Europe or Asia, a change or cancellation will cost between $150–177.

In both cases, you’ll also be responsible for any fare difference.

If you choose to cancel your flight, you won’t‌ receive a refund to your original form of payment, but you’ll instead receive a refund to your WestJet Travel Bank.

You can then use your WestJet Travel Bank funds to purchase future WestJet flights, but it’s important to note that your Travel Bank funds expire one year from the date of your cancelled flight.

With Econo fares, you’ll have to pay for checked bags for flights in Canada, the US, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe. If you’re travelling to Asia, you’ll enjoy one free piece of checked luggage.

Seat selection with an Econo fare costs between $5–250 – the same as a Basic fare.

Lastly, with Econo fares, you’ll earn WestJet dollars, and your spending is eligible to help you qualify for WestJet elite status .

Who should book Econo fares?

You should book Econo fares over Basic fares if you’d like to keep costs down, but still want the option to change or cancel your trip for a fee.

Plus, if you’re a frequent flyer with WestJet, you should book Econo fares at the minimum, since your flight will contribute towards qualifying for status.

Econo could also be a better choice than Basic if you’re flying to Asia or Europe, as the Econo fare provides free checked bags when flying to or from Asia, and checked bags are significantly cheaper when flying to Europe.

Again, with this, you’ll need to crunch the numbers to see if the extra cost you’ll pay for the Econo fare is less than the cost of checking bags, which you may otherwise enjoy as a credit card or status benefit.

WestJet EconoFlex fares come with the most flexibility and benefits for an economy WestJet ticket.

Changes and cancellations to your ticket won’t cost you any additional fees with this fare class. However, cancellations will still result in a credit to your WestJet Travel Bank instead of a refund to your original form of payment.

With this fare, you’ll also receive one free checked bag on all flights, and you’ll be able to make your seat selection for free.

Lastly, you’ll be able to earn WestJet dollars , and your fare purchase will count towards earning WestJet elite status .

Who should book EconoFlex fares?

You should book an EconoFlex fare if you’re uncertain about your travel plans, and you don’t want to pay extra to change or cancel your flight.

An EconoFlex fare should also be considered if you’re checking a bag, and don’t have the WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard or WestJet elite status, both of which would come with one free checked bag.

Once again, you’ll want to do the math to determine if the amount of money you’ll save with the free checked bag, potential cancellation or change fee, and seat selection fee makes up for the additional cost you’ll pay to book an EconoFlex fare over one of the lower Economy fare classes.

Member Exclusive fares are entirely different from all other WestJet fares.

To start, you can only book Member Exclusive fares with WestJet dollars , and you’ll need to have enough WestJet dollars to cover the entire base fare, after which you’ll have to pay the taxes and fees with cash or from your WestJet Travel Bank.

Member Exclusive fares follow the same checked baggage and seat selection fee structure as Econo fares, and they have the same change and cancellation policies and fees as well.

However, a difference is that if you cancel a Member Exclusive ticket, you won’t receive a refund entirely to your WestJet Travel Bank. Instead, the WestJet dollars that were used for the base fare of the ticket will be refunded back to WestJet dollars, and the portion paid for the taxes and fees will be refunded to your Travel Bank.

Keep in mind that WestJet dollars don’t have to be used exclusively on Member Exclusive fares – you’re welcome to use your WestJet dollars on any fare.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that you won’t accumulate WestJet dollars on Member Exclusive fares, and your flights won’t count towards earning WestJet elite status.

Who should book Economy Member Exclusive fares?

The main reason to book Member Exclusive fares is that they tend to offer a small discount over booking Econo fares. In some cases, the discount is minuscule (~3%), while in others, it can be a bit higher (~9%).

However, since you need to have enough WestJet dollars to cover the whole base fare, you may be better off booking Econo fares and applying your WestJet dollars balance there instead. This can also be useful if your WestJet dollars balance isn’t high enough for the Member Exclusive fare.

Plus, you’ll also earn towards elite status and get a return in WestJet dollars, which you won’t get with Member Exclusive fares.

There are three fares to choose from for flying in WestJet’s Premium or premium economy cabins: Premium, PremiumFlex, and Member Exclusive.

It’s worth noting that WestJet offers a true premium economy cabin on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, but not on its smaller aircraft. 

Rather, the Premium cabin on smaller aircraft is somewhere in between economy and a true premium economy seat, depending on which aircraft is being used on your flight.

In some cases, you’ll just get a seat at the front of the plane without any extra legroom, while in others, you’ll get a bit more room and more in-flight amenities.

Therefore, prior to booking a Premium fare, you should check to see what your experience will be like to make sure it’s worth the extra cost.

WestJet’s Premium and PremiumFlex fares are almost indistinguishable from one another.

With both fare types, you’ll enjoy two free checked bags, complimentary food & beverages, priority services, and the accrual of WestJet dollars.

The primary difference between the two fare types lies in the change and cancellation policy.

With Premium fares, you’ll have to pay a cancellation or change fee of $100–118  within Canada, or between Canada and all destinations except Europe and Asia.

For flights between Canada and Europe or Asia, change and cancellation fees range from $300–354.

All change and cancellation fees are charged per direction, per person except for changes or cancellations on flights to and from Europe, where fees are charged per transaction, per person.

With PremiumFlex fares, there’s no additional fee for changes or cancellation; however, if you do make a change, you’ll have to pay for the fare difference, if any.

Another key difference between PremiumFlex and Premium fares is how the refund is handled if you choose to cancel your flight.

With PremiumFlex fares, your refund is returned to your original form of payment, and with Premium fares, your refund will ‌appear in your WestJet Travel Bank to be used on future WestJet flights, with a one-year expiry date attached.

Who should book Premium fares?

You should book Premium fares if you want to fly WestJet Premium or premium economy, and your travel plans are fairly set.

You can also book Premium fares even if your travel plans are uncertain; however, you’ll want to look at whether the amount you save from booking a Premium fare over a PremiumFlex fare is greater than the amount you’d have to pay in cancellation or change fees.

Keep in mind that the funds from any cancelled flights will be added to your WestJet Travel Bank rather than being returned to the original form of payment.

Who should book PremiumFlex fares?

To be frank, booking PremiumFlex fares rarely makes sense.

The significantly higher cost of booking this fare type ‌tends to overshadow any amount you’d save on a potential change or cancellation fee.

However, if you find a PremiumFlex fare that doesn’t cost outrageously more than a Premium fare, it may be worth booking this to avoid the potential change or cancellation fee.

Lastly, if you want to avoid having your money tied up in a WestJet Travel Bank at all costs, then a PremiumFlex fare would ensure that you never have to worry about expiring Travel Bank credits.

The only other WestJet Premium fare type is the Member Exclusive fare .

As a Member Exclusive fare, you can only book this fare type if you have enough WestJet dollars to cover the entire base fare amount. Additional taxes and fees will have to be paid in cash or WestJet Travel Bank funds.

You also won’t earn any WestJet dollars with Member Exclusive fares, and any cancellations or changes will cost the same as Premium fares.

For cancellations, the WestJet dollars you spent will be returned as WestJet dollars, while any amount you spent on taxes and fees will be added to your WestJet Travel Bank.

Other than these Member Exclusive fare-specific features, all other benefits and fare rules are identical to the other WestJet Premium tickets: two free checked bags, extra leg room on some aircraft, complimentary food & beverages, and priority services.

Who should book Premium Member Exclusive fares?

Similar to WestJet Economy fares, the only reason to book a Member Exclusive fare is if you were planning on booking a Premium fare, but the Member Exclusive fare winds up being cheaper.

Keep in mind that you’ll forgo any potential WestJet Rewards, and you won’t be able to redeem a companion voucher with a Member Exclusive fare. However, the potential savings could be worth it, assuming you have a sizeable balance of WestJet dollars.

If you’d like to fly WestJet’s best overall product, there are three fare types to choose from: Business, BusinessFlex, and Member Exclusive.

With a business class ticket, you’ll have lounge access at available airports and your own bed in the sky with lie-flat seats.

You’ll also receive two free checked bags, priority screening, boarding, and baggage, and in-flight food and beverage service no matter which business class fare you book.

As we’ve seen before, the difference between Business and BusinessFlex fares comes down to the change and cancellation policy.

With BusinessFlex fares, there’s no change or cancellation fee, and your funds from a cancelled flight will be returned to your original form of payment. However, if you choose to change your flight, you’ll still be responsible for paying any fare difference.

On the other hand, with regular Business fares, any change or cancellation comes with a fee, and any credit will be added to your WestJet Travel Bank.

For flights within Canada and between Canada and all destinations in North American (including Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico), you’ll pay $100–118 to change or cancel your flight per person, per direction.

For flights between Canada and Europe or Asia, you’ll have to pay a fee of $500–590 to change your flight and $600–708 to cancel.

Change and cancellation fees are charged per direction, per person, except for changes or cancellations for flights to and from Europe, whereby change fees are charged per transaction, per person.

Who should book Business fares?

Similar to Premium fares, the regular Business fare will more often than not be significantly cheaper than the BusinessFlex fare, even after taking the change and cancellation fees into consideration.

However, you’ll still want to be fairly committed to your trip if you book a regular Business fare, as the change and cancellation fees can add up quickly, especially on flights to Europe and Asia.

What’s more, cancelled flights won’t be refunded to your original form of payment, but rather to your WestJet Travel Bank, with an expiration date attached to the funds.

Therefore, if you’d like to fly WestJet’s best product and are fairly firm in your plans, a Business fare will result in the same experience at a lower cost than BusinessFlex fares.

Who should book BusinessFlex fares?

You should only book BusinessFlex fares if the extra amount you’ll have to pay for this fare is less than any potential change or cancellation fee, and you don’t want your refund to go to your Travel Bank.

BusinessFlex fares can be thousands of dollars more than a regular Business fare, so even though you’ll save money on change and cancellation fees, booking a BusinessFlex fare may not make financial sense, especially considering you aren’t getting any additional benefits.

Lastly, the Business Member Exclusive fare is only bookable if you have enough WestJet dollars to cover the full base fare, and you pay the taxes and fees with cash or funds from your Travel Bank.

As mentioned above, Member Exclusive fares also aren’t eligible to earn WestJet dollars or credit towards WestJet elite status.

With this fare type, you’ll be subject to the same cancellation and change fees as with WestJet’s regular Business fare; however, the refund is processed differently.

Instead of having all the funds returned to your WestJet Travel Bank, WestJet dollars are returned as WestJet dollars, and the money paid for the taxes and fees are returned as Travel Bank funds.

All other Business Member Exclusive benefits are the same as with the WestJet regular Business fare and the BusinessFlex fare.

Who should book Business Class Member Exclusive fares?

As is the case with all Member Exclusive fares, you should only book a Business Member Exclusive fare if the cost is cheaper than the other business class fare options, and if you have enough WestJet dollars to cover the entire base fare.

However, you may also want to consider applying your WestJet dollars towards a Business fare instead. This way, you’ll still be eligible to earn WestJet dollars and qualifying spend towards WestJet elite status.

Plus, since Member Exclusive fares only offer a small discount, there generally isn’t really a strong value proposition to booking them over standard fares.

WestJet offers passengers to choose from 10 different fare types, with the lower-priced fares generally offering less flexibility, and the higher-priced fares providing increased flexibility and perks.

When choosing a WestJet fare, you’ll want to consider your priorities in terms of price, flexibility, and baggage. You’ll also want to take stock of additional variables, such as whether you hold the WestJet RBC ® World Elite Mastercard, WestJet elite status, or a sizeable balance of WestJet dollars.

At the end of the day, the right WestJet fare is fairly subjective and depends on a combination of many of the above factors. If in doubt, you can always get in touch with a qualified travel agent to help you with the decision.

• Earn 250 WestJet dollars upon making your first purchase†
• Plus, earn 200 WestJet dollars upon spending $5,000 in the first three months†
• Plus, receive an annual companion voucher for discounted travel on WestJet flights, with a co-pay starting at $119 plus taxes and fees†
• Minimum income: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
• Annual fee: $119

I’m more inclined to pay for advanced seat selection of an exit row seat for a cross Canada flight nowadays. But is the seat selection fee actually more expensive with a Basic fare versus an Econo fare? The chart shows seat selection for a Basic fare is “$$” whereas for an Econo fare is only “$” but I don’t have any empirical evidence from an apples to apples booking.

As an avid Westjet flyer, this is great information. One thing I discovered on a recent flight is that golf clubs don’t qualify as a free bag – the bag must be checked in at the agent and is subject to a fee. Thanks !

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WestJet Vacations Québec now accepting bookings to 20 sun destinations from 3 Québec gateways

Post date: May 13 2024

Date: May 13 2024

By: Travelweek

MONTREAL — Brand new from Sunwing Vacations Group, a new tour operator called WestJet Vacations Québec will specialize in all-inclusive vacations to some 20 sun destinations exclusively for Quebec travellers.

Departures will start in November, with package vacations available from three Quebec gateways to hundreds of resorts, serviced by 13 sun destination airports.

Lyne Chayer

Featured resort partners include Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts in the D.R., Jamaica and Mexico, soon-to-be-available Barceló Hotel Group properties in destinations including Cuba, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, and select Princess Hotels & Resorts properties, including Grand Riviera Princess All Suites and Spa Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Great news for travel advisors: the new tour operator is offering bonus commission on client bookings made until July 31.

WestJet Vacations Québec is part of Sunwing Vacations Group’s ongoing commitment to providing more value and choice to its customer base in Quebec, said Sunwing Vacations Group’s Vice President, Québec, Lyne Chayer.

Sunwing Vacations Group is the vacation division of the WestJet Group.

“I am incredibly excited to launch WestJet Vacations Québec, a new vacation provider tailored specifically to our customers residing in Québec, featuring the destinations Québec customers know and love, and those that will soon be on their list of favourites, including the laidback destination of Tulum in Mexico,” said Chayer.

“Québec residents can reach out to their local travel advisor to book all inclusive packages to a number of great properties in destination, including Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts which are available to book now, and Barceló Hotel Group properties which will be available to book in the coming weeks. We cannot wait for travel advisors and clients to uncover the exceptional value and variety on all inclusive packages available through WestJet Vacations Québec, and look forward to helping them embark on their well-deserved getaways to the sun.

Chayer noted that WestJet Vacations Québec will be offering bonus commission to agents. “We are thrilled to offer an additional 2% commission to travel advisors as a special, introductory offer to celebrate this important launch and thank them for their ongoing dedication to supporting our mutual clients,” said Chayer.

BOOKINGS OPEN NOW

Québec clients can start booking WestJet Vacations Québec packages starting today. Departures will operate from from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport and Saguenay-Bagotville Airport.

WestJet Vacations Québec is currently offering 20 destinations across Cuba, the D.R., Jamaica, Mexico, St. Maarten, Costa Rica and Panama.

New destinations will be added in future based on customer demand.

The new tour operator noted that Tulum is a brand-new airport and a must-visit for Mexico-bound travellers.

BONUS COMMISSION

WestJet Vacations Québec is offering 8% commission for all WestJet Vacations Québec client bookings made through travel advisors’ booking engine or through WestJet Vacations Québec’s Reservations Sales Centre.

As an added incentive, the tour operator is providing an additional 2% commission on WestJet Vacations Québec client bookings made May 14 – July 31, 2024 for travel Nov. 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025, for a total of 10% commission during the promotional window.

Agents can contact the WestJet Vacations Québec Sales Centre at 1-877-665-6045 for specific questions or guidance, with fees waived for Sales Centre support until August 14, 2024, if the inquiry is specific to WestJet Vacations Québec bookings.

Travel advisors will also find up-to-date information on flights for the 2025 winter season, along with destinations and resort partners available to clients online at VacancesWestJetQuebec.com and on the Sunwing Vacations Group Agent Portal , along with Frequently Asked Questions to assist them in the research and booking phases.

Winter Flight Schedules:

Quebec City and Saguenay-Bagotville Departures

Montreal Departures

Tags: Lead Story, WestJet

A review of WestJet economy on the Boeing 737 from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary

Editor's Note

Quick take: WestJet economy class is a no-frills passenger experience that could be worth it for budget-minded travelers — but only if you get your tickets for the right price.

• A la carte food and beverage options were reasonably priced
• Wi-Fi speed was decent, and WestJet's digital entertainment had a great movie selection
• Efficient, if not overly warm, service
• Cabin interior was dirty and had very worn seats
• Drink cups were very small and beverage service was limited, so you may want to bring your own water or beverages aboard
• Only one attendant at the check-in desk for non-priority passengers led to the line moving slowly

Looking to travel to Canada, eh?

Aside from Air Canada , WestJet should be on your radar. As Canada's second-largest airline, this carrier offers a no-frills, low-cost customer experience. But while some may consider WestJet a "budget airline," the carrier's amenities still surpass that of low-cost U.S. airlines like Spirit and Frontier .

Since I prefer nonstop, round-trip flight deals over cheaper, layover-filled itineraries, I found myself perusing WestJet's website. Looking to fly from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary, Alberta, in economy, I found round-trip, nonstop flights for just $292. To note, this nonstop flight route does not operate year-round with the same frequency.

Seated in economy class for roughly five-and-a-half hours, here's how my overall WestJet experience went.

How to book economy on WestJet

WestJet Boeing 737s like the one I flew have only economy or premium economy seats on board; therefore, there are no business- or first-class fares available for flights operated by this aircraft.

WestJet sells three types of economy fares on a Boeing 737 from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Calgary International Airport (YYC): Basic, Econo and EconoFlex. Here is what is included with each.

WestJet's baggage policy allows passengers to have one personal item and one carry-on item for free when booking in economy, but its size requirements are a bit smaller than other similar airlines — more on that later.

As a points and miles enthusiast, I initially tried to book my flight via an award redemption. Though Delta is a codeshare partner of WestJet, I could not find nonstop award availability using Delta SkyMiles. Next, I checked the prices on the Chase and Amex travel portals .

The cash price on both travel portals was higher than WestJet was charging directly. However, I had the option to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a fixed rate of 1.5 cents apiece with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® through Chase Travel or my Amex Membership Rewards points for 1 cent apiece via amextravel.com, thanks to carrying The Platinum Card® from American Express .

I typically get more value from these transferable point currencies by transferring them to airline and hotel partners and redeeming them that way; therefore, I decided to save my points for future redemptions since the cash price on the WestJet flight was so low.

However, if you want to use your points for a nonstop WestJet award flight, I recommend using Chase Ultimate Rewards to get the best redemption.

*Editor's note: Price ranges were available at the time of search and can fluctuate based on demand, season and other factors.

Since WestJet had a 20% discount on flights at the time of my booking, I purchased a round-trip, nonstop flight from Fort Lauderdale to Calgary in economy for $292. I used my Amex Platinum card to book my flight since it earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), while my Chase Sapphire Reserve only earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases.

Related: How far in advance can you book a flight?

Checking in and boarding economy on WestJet

Before my flight, I downloaded the WestJet app, easily checked in and obtained my mobile boarding pass.

I typically prefer not to check luggage and fly with a small suitcase as my carry-on bag and my backpack as my personal item.

However, I double-checked the airline's baggage policy because I've never flown with WestJet, and it stated that a backpack with the dimensions of my bag would count as a carry-on bag rather than a personal item. Since I didn't know how strict the airline would be with their bag policy, I decided to prepay $40 one-way for a checked bag because if I were forced to check my backpack or carry-on at the airport, I would be charged an additional $10 anyway.

The WestJet gate agents did not double-check that each customer's bags fit the appropriate personal and carry-on dimensions at the gate, but gate agents at YYC did check on my return flight, so you might not want to take any chances if you're flying with the airline.

At FLL, WestJet does not have a kiosk where customers can check in or print luggage tags and boarding passes. Instead, you must wait in line to drop off your suitcase if you are checking bags. WestJet has a priority check-in lane available to business- and premium economy-ticketed passengers and Platinum, Gold and Silver elite members of its WestJet Rewards program. Since Delta is a partner of WestJet, if you are a Delta Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond Medallion member , you can also access the airline's priority lane.

I do not have status with either loyalty program, nor was I flying in business or premium class, so I got in the non-priority bag drop lane. There was only one WestJet employee servicing this lane, which made the bag drop process a bit slow. While this was not problematic for me since I was the eighth guest in line and arrived two hours before my flight's departure time, it could create extra stress if you find yourself at the very back of a long check-in line with only one attendant.

After swiftly getting through security at Terminal 2 using my Clear Plus membership and TSA PreCheck status, I waited for my flight to start boarding. WestJet participates in TSA PreCheck, so be sure to add your Known Traveler Number before check-in to speed up your security process.

Surprisingly, my flight began boarding 10 minutes before it was scheduled to do so. I've never been on a flight where the boarding process began early. Like most airlines, WestJet boards priority members, including premium economy passengers and those holding elite status with the airline, first in Zone 1. Additionally, Delta Gold Medallion members and above are also able to board in Zone 1.

As an economy passenger seated in the back of the plane, I boarded in Zone 2. Apparently, WestJet boards the back of the plane in Zone 2 and the front of the plane — aside from premium customers — in Zone 3. The overall boarding process was quick and efficient, and we were able to take off about 10 minutes earlier than the originally scheduled 3:30 p.m. departure.

Related: A review of Delta Air Lines in first class on the Airbus A321neo from Los Angeles to Seattle

How comfortable was WestJet economy?

The aircraft for my five-and-a-half-hour flight was on a Boeing 737 with the following seat count and layout in economy.

I was seated in 28E — a middle seat just two rows ahead of the last row on the aircraft. Unfortunately, when I got to my middle seat, I noticed a small, empty alcohol bottle in the seatback pocket, which also had a noticeable crack. Taking a look around, it seemed like all the seats were well worn, and the floors were noticeably dirty with crumbs that I assumed were food. I couldn't help but wonder if they didn't clean the plane at all before we boarded.

If you value flight comfort, economy on WestJet may not be for you. While the economy seat pitch on this Boeing flight is 30 inches — the standard for most airlines — the seat's cushioning was minimal and only reclined about 3 inches. I didn't notice any rips or scuffing on the seats, but the loose fabric and body imprints show that these seats are a bit worn.

Each seat had a USB-A port and a universal plug located just above the seatback pocket. A plug to charge my phone was imperative on this longer flight, as the carrier only offers wireless entertainment to stream on your own devices rather than a seat-mounted inflight entertainment system.

The tray table on my WestJet flight was average size, about 15 to 16 inches wide and easily deployed. While I could comfortably fit my 17-inch laptop on the tray table, it's not ideal for those wanting to enjoy a beverage or eat while using your computer.

WestJet's 737s have three lavatories: one at the front of the plane and two at the back. That made for some lengthy wait times during certain stretches of the flight. Since this flight is more than two hours, I suggest booking at least five rows away from the bathrooms at the back of the plane.

I had moved to the aisle seat before takeoff since no one was sitting there. So, starting about two hours into the flight, there were constantly people standing next to my seat waiting for the facilities. I tried to nap on the plane, but this made it hard with people brushing past me.

Overall, the bathrooms on this WestJet flight felt comparable to other domestic U.S. flights regarding size and cleanliness.

Amenities in WestJet economy

Don't expect many amenities on WestJet economy flights. While there are no seatback screens, WestJet allows you to use your wireless device to watch movies and TV shows for free on its app via Wi-Fi streaming. The airline had a good selection of new movies, including "The Marvels," "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie."

I purchased a Wi-Fi pass that I could use for the entirety of my flight for CA$23.09 (about $17). While inflight Wi-Fi can be spotty no matter which carrier you're flying, my WestJet Connect worked surprisingly well. I was able to watch YouTube videos, send texts, answer work emails and use social media apps with no problem.

Related: Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights

How was the food in WestJet economy?

Inflight food service started about 30 minutes after departure. The crew came around to ask if anyone would like to order from the a la carte menu. Complimentary beverage service began shortly after the crew finished taking passengers' orders from the a la carte menu.

Since this was a nearly six-hour flight, I opted to try the red Thai curry cup with coconut rice and the three-cheese pasta cup with Italian spices for my dinner. These two items each cost about $7.

Unsure of what to expect, I waited as the attendant brought out two microwaved cups of food from Meal of the Moment, a brand that produces instant meals. The red Thai curry was flavorful for being a dehydrated instant meal. However, the three-cheese pasta cup was bland, and the Italian spices created an odd flavor profile when added to what amounted to watered-down instant macaroni and cheese.

If dining on dehydrated instant meals does not sound appetizing, you can also purchase snacks such as a Kit Kat, beef jerky, Pringles and gummy bears.

Aside from WestJet's a la carte menu, economy passengers can choose from a selection of complimentary beverages, including water, juice and sodas, and a free snack — either pretzels or a chocolate biscuit.

Alcoholic beverages, such as a glass of pinot grigio or merlot, cost about $7. Beer, including Coors Light and Molson Canadian, costs about $6.

Customers were not given an entire can of soda or a beverage of their choice. Instead, I had to settle for a small plastic cup filled with ice and a little liquid when I ordered a ginger ale. Perhaps that's WestJet's way of trying to limit bathroom breaks.

After just a few sips, I finished my drink and wanted another. The flight attendants came around twice to pass out complimentary snacks and drinks, and when I asked if I could have both pretzels and a chocolate biscuit, the attendant happily obliged. Beverages aside, at least they were not being stingy on the snacks.

The second inflight service took place a little over an hour before the plane landed. Since there are only two inflight beverage services on this flight and the pour-size is limited, I suggest bringing your own nonalcoholic drinks.

Related: Is United Airlines premium economy worth it to Europe?

Is WestJet economy worth it?

It's true what they say, "You get what you pay for."

My international economy flight to Calgary was bare-bones but still worth it. Though the interior cabin could have been cleaner and better maintained, my seat had enough legroom to sit through my five-and-a-half-hour flight from FLL to YYC. This aircraft reminded me of an older JetBlue or American Airlines plane.

For future WestJet flights, I would make sure to buy snacks and drinks at the airport so I do not have to rely on the inflight service. I would also make a point to keep my devices charged ahead of time in case there are any issues with the in-seat power outlets when I want to stream entertainment.

Overall, if this round-trip economy flight had cost more than $700, I would have been disappointed in the overall customer experience. But because I paid less than $300 for a rather long round-trip journey between two smaller cities, I deplaned satisfied.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story listed the aircraft as a Boeing 737 MAX 8, but it was a 737-800. This has been corrected in the story.

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Introducing westjet vacations québec, a new all inclusive vacation provider offering a curated selection of 20 sun destinations and hundreds of resorts tailored exclusively to québec customers.

Packages include flight departures from three  Québec  airports beginning in November 2024 to 13 destination airports

Featured resort partners include Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, Barceló Hotel Group properties and many more resorts

The new vacation provider is operated by Sunwing Vacations Group, with day-to-day operations led by Lyne Chayer, Vice President, Québec for Sunwing Vacations Group

MONTREAL , May 14, 2024 /CNW/ - As part of its ongoing commitment to providing more value and choice to its customer base in Québec, Sunwing Vacations Group today announced the launch of WestJet Vacations Québec, a new vacation provider offering all inclusive packages to 20 popular sun destinations and hundreds of resorts that are sure to become favourites among Québec residents.

Starting today, customers in Québec can secure great travel deals on their winter vacation packages to destinations and resorts across the Caribbean , Central America and Mexico when they book through their local travel advisor, online at VacancesWestJetQuebec.com, or by calling the WestJet Vacations Québec Sales Centre, with convenient flight departures from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport and Saguenay-Bagotville Airport to 13 destination airports beginning in November 2024 .

WestJet Vacations Québec is currently offering 20 destinations across Cuba , the Dominican Republic , Jamaica , Mexico , St. Maarten , Costa Rica and Panama , with new destinations to be added in future based on evolving customer demand. Of particular note, Tulum is a brand-new airport and must-visit destination for customers embarking on their Mexican getaways this winter.

What's more, featured resort partners for WestJet Vacations Québec include Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts in the Dominican Republic , Jamaica and Mexico , soon-to-be-available Barceló Hotel Group properties in destinations including Cuba , Mexico , the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica , and select Princess Hotels & Resorts properties, including Grand Riviera Princess All Suites and Spa Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico .

WestJet Vacations Québec is part of Sunwing Vacations Group, home to the largest vacation brands in North America and the vacation division of the WestJet Group. Day-to-day operations are being led by Lyne Chayer, Vice President, Québec for Sunwing Vacations Group.

"We are incredibly excited to launch WestJet Vacations Québec, a new vacation provider tailored specifically to our customers residing in Québec, featuring the destinations Québec customers know and love, and those that will soon be on their list of favourites, including the laidback destination of Tulum in Mexico ," said Lyne Chayer, Vice President, Québec for Sunwing Vacations Group. "Québec residents can book online, through our Sales Centre or by reaching out to their local travel advisor to secure all inclusive packages to a number of great properties in destination, including Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts which are available to book now, and Barceló Hotel Group properties which will be available to book in the coming weeks. We cannot wait for customers to uncover the exceptional value and variety on all inclusive packages available through WestJet Vacations Québec, and look forward to helping them embark on their well-deserved getaways to the sun."

Québec residents will find up-to-date information on vacation packages for the 2025 winter season, along with available destinations and resort partners, online at VacancesWestJetQuebec.com . Customers can also connect with their travel advisors or reach out to the WestJet Vacations Québec Sales Centre at 1-877-665-6045 to book their upcoming winter escapes to the tropics.

About WestJet Vacations Québec

WestJet Vacations Québec is committed to offering Québec customers exceptional value on all inclusive vacations and a seamless travel journey, from the research and booking phase to the flight experience, time in destination and after returning home. The Québec tour operator offers great travel deals and featured offers on vacation packages to a wide variety of destinations and carefully curated resorts across the Caribbean , Central America and Mexico , with convenient flight service from several Québec airports. WestJet Vacations Québec is part of Sunwing Vacations Group, home to the largest vacation brands in North America and the vacation division of the WestJet Group. For more information, please visit VacancesWestJetQuebec.com .

SOURCE WestJet Vacations Québec

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2024/14/c1164.html

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The WestJet Group and AMFA reach tentative agreement, averting work stoppage.

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The WestJet Group boosts Calgary’s global connectivity through enhanced Winter 787 Schedule

The WestJet Group today announced significant enhancements to its transoceanic and leisure travel offering with its winter 787 schedule, revealing expanded year-round service between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) and an increase to daily connectivity between Calgary and Paris Charles-de-Gaulle International (CDG) and London Heathrow International (LHR) Airports. As The WestJet Group continues to fortify its position as Canada’s leisure travel champion, the airline is also enhancing its 787 presence on popular leisure routes with service between Canada, Mexico and Hawaii.

“Our 787 winter schedule reflects the growing demand for year-round international options for business and leisure travellers from our global hub in Calgary to Asia, Europe, and North America,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer. “We will continue to strategically position our Dreamliners to provide the best global access between Western Canada and the world.”

“We are delighted WestJet’s robust and ever-growing network will soon offer greater connectivity to Asia and Europe through its global hub at YYC Calgary International Airport,” said Chris Dinsdale, President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. “WestJet’s enhanced winter service to Tokyo, Paris and London will provide our Canadian guests with a tremendous opportunity to explore the rich culture of these world-renowned destinations while offering our visitors the same opportunity to experience all that Alberta and Western Canada have to offer.”

Year-round service to Tokyo, Unlocked

Building on the existing summer seasonal service, WestJet is investing in year-round service between Calgary and Tokyo. The service enhancement is a strategic milestone for the airline, bringing more visitors to Alberta and strengthening global tourism opportunities, while preserving Calgary's position as the most connected mid-sized city in North America. Through WestJet’s longstanding codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines guests will also have access to seven destinations beyond Tokyo.

“This winter, WestJet will fly more than 60,000 seats between Asia and Alberta, creating a catalyst for year-round collaboration between our two unique economies and tourism hubs,” continued Weatherill. “This route has proven to be an exceptional conduit for transpacific leisure and business travellers connecting to Calgary and Alberta.”

Strengthened year-round service to Europe

This winter, WestJet is bolstering its European winter service offering with daily connectivity to both London and Paris from the airline’s global hub in Calgary. While these routes were previously served throughout the winter, frequency to Paris has been increased to daily to match London, and to meet the unprecedented demand for business and leisure travel between Western Canada and Europe. Guests will also benefit from WestJet’s codeshare agreement with Air France , which unlocks 53 additional European destinations beyond Paris. 

Leading the nation in leisure, adding more access to Mexico 

In line with The WestJet Group’s strategy, the airline is committed to providing Canadians with more affordable leisure travel options than any other carrier in the country. This winter, the airline is deploying its 787 aircraft on some of its most in-demand leisure routes, including doubling its capacity between Calgary and Cancun to twice daily and increasing to daily service between Calgary and Puerto Vallarta. Additionally, the airline will continue to offer daily 787 service between Toronto and Cancun and three times weekly service between Calgary and Honolulu. 

About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

As the largest aircraft in WestJet’s fleet, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner can fly intercontinental journeys, carrying up to 320 guests per flight, making it ideal for European, Asian and high-demand routes. It features a three-cabin configuration to serve a variety of guest needs, and spacious seats with entertainment systems at every seat for added comfort. 

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The westjet group says annyeong-haseyo to south korea with first flight between calgary and seoul.

Nearly sold-out inaugural flight marks the first of 140 flights between Calgary and Seoul this summer. WestJet’s newest connection soars on strong economic and cultural relations between Canada and South Korea.

Taking off this week: return of seasonal flights from Moncton, Charlottetown, Deer Lake and St. John’s

Airline continues to bolster Atlantic Canada’s connectivity

The land of Fire and Ice awaits: The WestJet Group inaugurates non-stop service between Calgary and Iceland

With the departure of the sold-out WestJet Flight 38, WestJet marks its seventh direct connection to Europe from its global hub in Calgary this summer

Simple Flying

Westjet launches boeing 737 max service connecting calgary to iceland.

WestJet has seven transatlantic connections now it has launched direct flights from Calgary to Reykjavik in Iceland.

• WestJet launches nonstop service from Calgary to Iceland, marking the seventh direct connection to Europe this summer.
• Direct flights operated with new 737 MAX 8 aircraft, providing affordable access to fulfill travel aspirations.
• Codeshare agreement with Icelandair offers seamless connections to over 30 European destinations from Keflavik Airport.

It has been an exciting week for the people at WestJet as on Wednesday, the airline launched its exclusive nonstop service from Calgary to the land of Fire and Ice, Iceland. The 737 MAX flight took off from Westjet's global hub at Calgary International Airport and landed in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital city.

Westjet's heading north from Calgary

On May 15, WestJet flight WS38 departed Calgary International (YYC) at 20:03 and, after a 6:17 hour flight, arrived at Reykjavik's Keflavik International Airport (KEF) at 08:20. The service was operated with a 2023 Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration C-GPFT and MSN 65427, that departed Keflavik on Thursday at 10:20 and arrived in Calgary at 10:54.

The inaugural flight, which was sold out, marked WestJet's seventh direct connection from Calgary to Europe this summer. On the same day, the 737 MAX 8 that operated the first Iceland service later flew to St. John's International Airport (YYT) and on Friday will return to Europe, this time on a return service to London Gatwick Airport (LGW).

WestJet Adds 15% More Flights In 2024 Summer Schedule

The launch of the new route to Reykjavik has been highly anticipated by Westjet's team and Canadian travelers looking for something new. The route not only expands international connectivity to and from Calgary but also reinforces the city's growing reputation as the best-connected mid-sized city in North America.

WestJet Group Executive Vice President, Chief People Corporate and Sustainability Officer Angela Avery said Iceland offers one of the most geologically diverse landscapes in the world, adding:

"As the only airline providing direct connectivity between Calgary and Iceland, WestJet continues to build its presence as Canada's leisure champion, providing our guests with unprecedented and affordable access to fulfill their travel aspirations year-round."

End Of The Magic: WestJet Plans Retirement Of Disney-Themed Boeing 737 Liveries

Seamless connections throughout europe.

The new service is now up and running and will operate four times weekly through October 13, 2024, using the 737 MAX 8. According to Planespotters.net , WestJet has an all-Boeing fleet of 132 aircraft, including 125 737s and seven 787-9 Dreamliners. The narrowbody fleet comprises 39 737-700s, 50 737-800s and 36 737 MAX 8s.

The aircraft that launched flights to Iceland was delivered to WestJet on March 13, 2023, and was in service by March 19. It is powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines and configured in a two-class layout of 174 seats, including 12 premium and 162 economy seats fitted with in-seat 120 AC and USB-A power sockets.

The added attraction for passengers on the new route is WestJet's codeshare agreement with Icelandair , Iceland's national carrier. Passengers can travel across the Icelandair and WestJet networks via one boarding pass, with the convenience of a single check-in and baggage tagged and checked to their final destination.

That agreement opens a world of possibilities for WestJet passengers arriving in Keflavik, with seamless connections to more than 30 European destinations, four in neighboring Greenland and three domestically to Akureyri, Egilsstaoir and Isaforour. With Iceland now included in the WestJet network, passengers traveling from or through Calgary will access seven transatlantic connections via WestJet's network this summer.

Have you flown on a WestJet flight recently? Let us know about it in the comments.

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The WestJet Group and AMFA reach tentative agreement, averting work stoppage.

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Shipping pets in kennels

We know how much you care about your pets. Following the regulations below will help us ensure that the furry members of your family arrive safely. Here is some important information about shipping pets with WestJet Cargo. 

General Regulations

Quick tips & recommendations

• We highly recommend that you don’t feed your adult dog or cat within 6 hours of departure (4 hours before for puppies and kittens).
• Weaned puppies or kittens younger than eight weeks will not be accepted due to the possibility of dehydration during air transportation.
• A veterinary document must be provided for kittens and puppies under 12 weeks old, detailing the animals age and overall health condition. 
• Tranquilization of cats and dogs is not recommended, however, if the shipper plans on sedating the animal, a notice from the administering veterinarian must be presented at the time of tender stating the animal is in good health and able to travel by air, along with a record of the sedation.
• Female dogs and cats experiencing estrus (in heat) or are pregnant will not be accepted for travel.
• Strong breed kennels (CR 82) are required for applicable dogs over the age of 6 months. Bookings must be made through a registered IPATA agent.
• CR 82 kennels that appear to be homemade will be inspected to ensure they comply with guidance outlined in the IATA Live Animal Regulations.
• Strong breed dogs under the age of 6 months can be booked directly with WestJet Cargo. The shipper must provide proof of age for strong breed dogs under the age of 6 months for them to be accepted in a standard kennel (CR1). Veterinary documentation must be used as proof of age.
• WestJet does not restrict the use of collars on dogs or cats being shipped as they will typically include contact/registration information specific to the animal.
• Snub nosed (Brachycephalic) breeds of cats and dogs as listed under Breed Restrictions can travel as cargo with WestJet. However, guests should be aware of the increased health risk associated with these breeds travelling by air. Snub nosed (Brachycephalic) breeds of cat and dog must undergo a veterinary examination prior to travel and be tendered with a document which states the animal is fit to travel by air.
• Dogs and cats (puppies and kittens included) cannot be held overnight at our cargo facilities. Comfort stops may be available at some airports, please speak to our Customer Service team for more information. 
• Whenever possible, WestJet Cargo plans to ship dogs and cats (puppies and kittens included) on a non-stop or direct flight, however, should routings involving multiple connections be required, additional fees may apply.
• The Shipper is responsible to pay for planned or unplanned well-being stops, along with potential overnight kenneling fees that may be required during transit 
• A maximum of two animals of comparable size up to 14 kg each, which are used to cohabitation, may be shipped in the same container. Animals over that weight must travel individually.
• Cargo shipments are not permitted in the cabin. 
• Dogs and cats (puppies and kittens included) must be tendered to the warehouse prior to published cut off for the intended flight. Visit our  tender and retrieval time webpage .
• WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of Animals while in transit, so it is important that you prepare your dog or cat for its journey. 

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Transporting pets

Kennel guidelines

Dogs and cats (puppies and kittens included) transported as cargo must be carried in containers that meet the following safety requirements.

Kennels specific to strong breed dogs (CR 82) are exempt from the maximum allowable weight of a kennel (including the animal) as indicated above and will require advance arrangements. 

Kennels must be made of a material approved in the IATA Live Animal Regulations. Kennels must be made of fibreglass, metal or rigid plastic. Kennels with wire roofs are not allowed. Kennels with plastic doors are not allowed.

For non-strong breed animals, the container door must be constructed of welded or cast metal of sufficient gauge or thickness so as to preclude the animal from bending or distorting the door. Doors made of plastic material are not allowed. 

Door hinges and locking pins must extend beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door opening by at least 1.6 cm (5/8").

If a kennel has wheels, they must be removed or rendered inoperable. 

The container must allow the animal(s) to stand up, turn around, and to lie in natural position.

Maximum allowable kittens or puppies in one kennel is (2) two. 

No water or food containers are allowed in the kennel, unless it is in a non-spill container, firmly attached to the kennel. Feeding and watering should only occur for emergencies. Dogs and cats do not normally require additional feeding during the 12 hours following the time of tender. Water must be provided if the total journey time exceeds 12 hours.

Floor must be solid, leak-proof and covered with a layer of absorbent non-consumable bedding material, for example blankets or absorbent pads are acceptable. 

Kennels must have solid roofs. Kennel roofs may have ventilation holes over the whole surface provided they do not reduce the integrity or the strength of the roof itself. Kennels with wire, “trap-door” roofs are not permitted.

For dogs and cats, a familiar article in the container helps to keep the pet at ease in transit. One toy, or similar article is permitted in the container with the animal. 

Breed restrictions - Strong Breeds

• Pit-bull (all breeds) are restricted in Ontario. 
• Strong breeds of dog can pose a hazard during handling and are more prone to breaking out of poorly constructed or incorrectly secured kennels. Any strong breed above the age of 6-months must be transported in a CR-82 standard kennel and can only be booked by an IPATA Registered Agent. Guests can ship strong breeds under the age of 6-months in a regular CR-1 standard kennel and without using an IPATA registered shipper only on production of a document showing proof of age.

Strong Dog Breeds

• American Bulldog
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Anatolian Shepherd
• Caucasian Shepherd
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Mastiff (all breeds)
• Pitbull (all breeds)
• Presa Canario
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Wolf Dog Hybrids

Any mix of these dogs will be considered a strong breed.

Breed restrictions - Brachycephalic Breeds

• WestJet Cargo accepts brachycephalic breeds, pending veterinary health checks. However, a complete embargo will be in place from July 1st to September 15th for these breeds due to the likelihood of high temperatures. For the well-being of your pet, WestJet Cargo reserves the right to decline the transportation of brachycephalic breeds during times of reported high temperatures.

Brachycephalic Dog Breeds

• Affenpinscher
• Brussels Griffon
• Boston Terrier
• Bulldogs (All Breeds)
• Bullmastiff
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Chihuahua (Apple Faced)
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• English Toy Spaniel
• Japanese Chin
• King Charles Spaniel
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Tibetan Spaniel

Brachycephalic Cat Breeds

• British Shorthair
• Exotic Shorthair
• Selkirk Rex
• Scottish Fold

Breed restrictions - Hairless Breeds

• The shipping of hairless breeds of dog and cat is embargoed annually between 1 st November and 31 st March to avoid excessively cold weather. However, WestJet Cargo does allow approved shippers who have completed the Hairless Breed Waiver Form to move hairless breeds during the embargo. This waiver is only available to WestJet Cargo account holders; if approved, they will be entered into the list of approved shippers.

Hairless Dog Breeds

• African Hairless
• American Hairless Terrier
• Argentine Pila
• Chinese Crested
• Hairless Khala
• Mexican Hairless
• Peruvian Inca Orchid
• Xoloitzcuintli

Hairless Cat Breeds

• Ukranian Levkoy

International shipping

Restrictions

Currently available – WestJet Cargo can accept, handle and deliver pets in kennels on flights with origins and destinations in Canada and the United States only.

Import restrictions

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is implementing a new measure to protect Canadians and their pets, and to reduce the risk of introducing dog rabies (rabies caused by canine-variant viruses) into Canada.

As of September 28, 2022, World Rabies Day, commercial dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies will no longer be permitted entry into Canada. Commercial dogs can include, but are not limited to dogs for resale, adoption, fostering, breeding, show or exhibition, research, and other purposes.

Please refer to the  CFIA Website  for a full list of countries that are considered high-risk for dog rabies.

Holiday restrictions

The following restrictions are applicable for pets travelling as cargo due to limited room during the heavy holiday travel periods. 

Domestic and International Flights

Pets to London Heathrow

For individuals arranging transport for pets (i.e. cats and dogs in kennels) to London Heathrow, it is mandatory to book them as cargo. This can only be done through the below freight forwarders:

• Sevenoaks Animal Logistics
• International Animal Lounge
• Haptrans Holding  
• Worldwide Animal Travel (WWAT)  
• Paws En Route, Agent Code

Prepare your pets

Pet cargo checklist

Book your pet in cargo for a flight departing in four days with the help of our customer service agents, or 10 days with our self-serve online request a quote form. 

• Know where we ship pets Check your destination or our  flight schedule
• Have your pet’s information ready

Type of animal

• Bring the right kennel Check  our guidelines
• Gather required documents

Certificate of health from a veterinarian (required for puppies and kittens under 12 weeks, pets following recent surgeries, brachycephalic breeds of all ages and sedated animals)

Shipper’s certificate for kennels form (we will send this to you once your booking is complete)

• Review our rates Kennel rates
• Be informed Review our pet policies and  FAQs
• A valid credit card is required to confirm your booking. The shipment cost is charged at the time of booking and any changes or cancellations up to 48 hours are at a cost of $20 and within 48 hours of shipment date are non-refundable.

Kennel sizes

Shipments subject to prior arrangements.

• Shipments requiring special attention, protection, or care en route.
• Shipments containing pieces of unusual shape or size.* 
• Shipments (other than seafood) containing any single piece weighing more than 136 kilograms or 300 pounds.
• Compassionate transport . 
• Shipments, or any part thereof, whose overall dimensions (length + width + height) exceed a total of 228 centimetres or 90 inches.

*If you have any doubts about whether your shipment is fit to fly, please  email  or call us at 1-866-952-2746.

WestJet reserves the right to place carriage embargoes on products and calendar dates. Stations will be notified of new or pending embargoes by bulletins from WestJet Cargo. Likewise, any embargoes that are lifted without a previously advised end date will also be communicated by WestJet Cargo. Any uncertainties must be clarified with WestJet Cargo prior to acceptance of the goods for carriage.

Seasonal embargoes

Domestic pets are not accepted as cargo shipments over the holiday season. This year, our domestic pet embargo will take place from December 18 to January 4 (inclusive).

Ready to book? 

Get your goods where they need to go with WestJet Cargo. Contact us for a quote or to book a shipment.

The 15 Best Budget Travel Destinations in 2021 (And a Bonus)

This blog’s main aim is to introduce you to the best budget travel destinations in 2021 , where you can go on a vacation without looting a bank.

It could be America, a country whose purchasing power is healthy or a place that could provide a good experience.

Without further delay,

Let’s discuss the top 15 best budget travel destinations in 2021

Top Budget Travel Destination #1

1. San Antonio, the United States of America

If you are hungry for the original Mexican Food or Tex-Mex, San Antonio is the place for you. You can come upon many historical sites, such as the San Fernando Cathedral, and host night shows at night for free.

In case you plan to go there on weekends , do not forget to wander around the farmer’s market at Pearl’s Brewery.

Budget Travel Destination #2

2. Hawaii, The USA

This place might not be the most inexpensive, but the flights are pretty cheap from the Mainlands to Hawaii. You get the south pacific vibes there with the ease of America plus a shorter flight duration as a bonus.

Budget Travel Destination #3

3. Puebla, Mexico – Best Budget Travel Destination

Once you go there, you can quickly figure out why it is a heritage site of UNESCO . As an agriculture lover, you can spend several days investigating historical sites and churches.

In cities, it ranks as the fourth largest one in Mexico, yet you will barely see any tourists there. A luring point for introverts!

Budget Travel Destination #4

4. St. Helena -Affordable Travel Destination

Saint Helena

If you like hiking and trekking, Saint Helena is the perfect place for you. It is a relatively cheap place once you reach the center of the south Atlantic ocean. You will get to see English culture amalgamated with the island one, excellent cuisine, and even globally the most faraway golf course.

Budget Travel Destination #5

5. Province Of Laguna, the Philippines

province of Laguna

The white sand and Palawan beaches, Siargao surfing , Cebu or Boracay, and the northern mountains make the Philippines popular, where the province of Laguna is not very popular.

If you are stopping over at manila for some days, we recommend the province of Laguna; it has the city of San Pablo (called the “city of seven lakes as well”) and also hot springs; you can comfortably access these locations with cars, rental vehicles, public transports and it costs below $10

Budget Travel Destination #6

6. The Balkan Peninsula – Economical Destination To Travel

Most people think that Europe is very expensive, but it is not always true, yes you get us right! You will not have to sell your kidney to travel there; you can come across Europe on a budget in the Balkan Peninsula.

Croatia is the most liked Balkan country and could be expensive too. That is why we recommend you explore the Balkan Peninsula at Herceg Novi, Montenegro, then you can take a bus and travel to Bosnia Herzegovina.

Budget Travel Destination #7

7. Budapest, Hungary

Travelers can feel a student environment in this European Country as it is the residence of many universities. You can visit great parks and greenery in the Red bricked city.

Budget Travel Destination #8

8. Buenos Aires, Argentina

No city is as inebriating as Buenos Aires, globally. You will see grand European style architectures lined up in the street, endless parks, and warm cafes—a magnificent place to travel.

Budget Travel Destination #9

9. Gobi Desert, Mongolia

To cut down the tour cost, you can ask your guide to join you with other travelers and make a new group of friends. The Gobi desert scenery will transform into green forests; even in the peak tourist season, you can have many places to yourself.

Budget Travel Destination #10

10. South Africa

South Africa’s beauty will blow your mind; it is a very diverse place in context to its nature, activities, culture, and people. One day you can climb mountains, and the other day you can dive into the ocean along with the sharks. You will get a low cost of Uber and other transports there.

Budget Travel Destination #11

11. Zanzibar Island, Tanzania

You will fall in love with Zanzibar, such a fantastic place it is, its people and the ocean. The environment is much more friendly and fun. Despite having expensive hotels, you can find some inexpensive beds and breakfast facilities.

Budget Travel Destination #12

12. Armenia

Many tourists are not even aware of Armenia; hidden like an incognito gem from so many travelers, it still has a lot to offer; history, magnificent landscapes, ancient monasteries, rich history, breathtaking mountain views, etc.

Its capital is Yerevan, a vibrant city with complete routes, local handicrafts, street markets, and delicious restaurants.

Dishes that we recommend include dolma, barbequed meat, or you can call it khorovats in the local language and cheese with their local bread called lavash .

Armenia is the perfect place for wine lovers to try out Armenian wine made of various fruits like pomegranate (it is the national symbol of Armenia as well), cherries, and blackberries.

Budget Travel Destination #13

It is one of the not so known places yet has enough potential to make you feel alive.

The Belgrade city is continuing in motion each day. There are fantastic restaurants, bars, cafes, friendly locals who help you out, etc.

You are most likely to spot people of all age groups enjoying and appreciating their national drink, “rakija.” You will find both Serbian and continental food in the restaurants.

Serbian nightlife is full of colors; parties happen till dusk to dawn on the Danube riverbank on floating clubs and bars.

Best Budget Travel Destination #14

14. Transylvania, Romania

Transylvania is known for its myths and folk stories. So have developed an original and distinctive culture and one of the most welcoming locals, you can easily travel here on a budget. A Transylvania trip could be a cultural shock; you can also taste strong spirits as their specialty.

You will not feel any mass commercialization and the high rates that one sees in the European culture. You will get to enjoy a lot of pocket-friendly fun activities to do in Transylvania.

BONUS BUDGET TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Moscow, russia.

One of the best budget travel destinations is Moscow, Russia. Even the inflated prices during the World Cup does not warrant the prices to be expensive. There are plenty of things and places to see in the city. One of the recommended places is Lenin’s Mausoleum, the resting place of the former Soviet leaders.

Moscow is known for its extremely cold in winters when the temperature reaches below zero degrees Celsius.

We hope you liked 15 (and a bonus) best budget travel destinations for 2021. So where are you planning to go?

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About the author: faremart.

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Passenger denied Lululemon reimbursement after WestJet baggage delay

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Following a WestJet baggage delay, a B.C. woman claimed nearly a thousand dollars after shopping online at Walmart and Lululemon.

Corrine Allbee claimed that WestJet lost her baggage while travelling from Prince George, B.C., to Ottawa on vacation. She sought $945.85 for the total amount she spent on clothes and toiletries but claimed the airline only offered to reimburse her for a portion of the total amount she spent.

WestJet denied her claims, calling them "unreasonable," but here's what the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal determined in a publicly  posted decision .

On August 28, 2022, Allbee flew from Prince George to Ottawa with two checked bags, but they didn't arrive in Ottawa when she landed on August 29, 2022.

She reported the bags missing that day and created a delayed bag report. The two sides have different stories about the delay, with WestJet stating 27 hours and Allbee saying 51 hours. She says she got her bags on August 31, while WestJet says they arrived on August 30.

The tribunal said when they arrived was irrelevant to its decision.

On her way to her accommodations, Allbee stopped at Walmart to purchase the missing essentials. She also bought some clothes online from lululemon, though she said she only purchased what was necessary.

Before the dispute, WestJet offered Allbee $302.25, but she declined. The airline told the tribunal that her ask of $945.85 was unreasonable.

The tribunal said Allbee was not entitled to compensation for the Lululemon purchases since the clothing didn't arrive until September 1 and her baggage arrived on August 30 or 31. Lululemon's return policy also offered her 30 days to return the items.

Allbee spent a total of $588.20 at Walmart, which the tribunal said was "excessive."

The tribunal allowed $215.27 for two hoodies, two tank tops, two tops, two bras, one pair of joggers, one item of footwear and socks, for a total of $315.27. It also allowed $100 for toiletries. The remainder of her claim was dismissed.

Serhii Ivashchuk/Shutterstock

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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Visa-free travel agreement between India, Russia likely by end of 2024

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL NEWS , RUSSIA / Created : May 18, 2024, 12:31 IST

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Kondratyev stressed that the intent of this initiative is to replicate the success of visa-free tourist exchanges which are already operational with China and Iran. Notably, Russia and China initiated their visa-free group tourist … Read more

Kondratyev stressed that the intent of this initiative is to replicate the success of visa-free tourist exchanges which are already operational with China and Iran. Notably, Russia and China initiated their visa-free group tourist exchange on August 1 of the preceding year, followed by a similar initiative with Iran on the same date. Read less

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Kondratyev stressed that the intent of this initiative is to replicate the success of visa-free tourist exchanges which are already operational with China and Iran. Notably, Russia and China initiated...