WestJet's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features premium business class with reverse herringbone seating and a spacious premium economy cabin. Discover the best seats to maximize comfort and which rows to avoid on this modern widebody aircraft.
The 787-9 offers an excellent 1-2-1 business layout with 46-inch pitch and 22-inch width seats. Premium economy provides exceptional value with extended legroom, while economy features standard 3-3-3 configuration. Book window seats in business rows 2-3 and premium economy rows 6-7 for optimal comfort; avoid row 1 business (galley noise), row 5 premium (bassinets), and rear economy rows.
WestJet's business cabin features 16 seats in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration, offering direct aisle access to every seat. Each seat measures 22 inches wide with 46 inches pitch, converting into a flat bed for overnight flights. The cabin spans rows 1-4, with row 1 positioned near the galley and lavatory. Amenities include premium bedding, direct aisle access, and sophisticated cabin lighting that mimics natural circadian rhythms.
Premium Economy bridges business and economy with enhanced comfort and service. Seats feature 35-inch pitch and wider proportions than standard economy. Located in rows 5-9, this cabin provides a perfect balance of premium amenities and value pricing. Select rows offer window pair seating ideal for couples or families seeking privacy without business class commitment.
Standard economy operates in a 3-3-3 configuration with 31-inch pitch throughout most of the cabin. The aircraft accommodates economy passengers in rows 10-40+. Extended Comfort economy in rows 10-14 offers 35-inch pitch for additional legroom. Standard economy seats measure 17-17.1 inches wide, with middle seats representing a tight squeeze on longer flights.
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
2A, 2K, 3A, 3K | Business | Window seats in quieter mid-cabin positions, away from galley and lavatory noise, offering optimal privacy and views |
6A/6B, 6J/6K, 7A/7B, 7J/7K | Premium Economy | Window pairs with excellent privacy, comfortable legroom, and unobstructed views throughout the flight |
10-14 (all seats) | Economy | Extended Comfort rows with 35-inch pitch provide exceptional legroom at economy pricing |
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
Row 1 | Business | Proximity to forward galley and lavatory creates noise and traffic disruption throughout flight |
Row 4 | Business | Located directly in front of galley area, resulting in galley noise and service cart activity |
Row 5 | Premium Economy | Bulkhead row with bassinet installations nearby, resulting in infant crying and reduced legroom |
Row 8 | Premium Economy | Positioned immediately in front of lavatories, exposing passengers to odors, noise, and queue traffic |
Row 24 DEF | Economy | Limited recline functionality due to galley proximity, reducing comfort on longer flights |
Rows 39-40 | Economy | Rear fuselage positioning near engines and tail, experiencing increased noise and vibration |
37A, 37K | Economy | Windowless seats limiting natural light and external views during daytime flights |
WestJet's 787-9 Economy tray tables offer modest stability for a 15-inch laptop - acceptable for light typing but not ideal for extended keyboard work due to moderate flex. WiFi is provided via Viasat (network name "WestJet_WiFi"), with real-world speeds averaging 5 - 8 Mbps on domestic routes, sufficient for email and messaging but not video conferencing. Power outlets vary by cabin: Business Class features AC power (110V) at each seat plus USB-A and USB-C ports (both 2.1A); Economy relies on USB-A ports (2.1A) in select rows, typically mid-to-rear cabin. The seatback IFE screen measures 10.6 inches on the 787-9, and Bluetooth audio pairing is supported for wireless headphones on compatible devices.
The Boeing 787-9 maintains a cabin altitude of 6,000 feet, significantly lower than older widebodies, reducing fatigue and ear pressure on long flights. Humidity levels aboard the 787-9 average 30 - 40% (the highest of any commercial aircraft), minimizing dehydration and skin irritation. Engine noise is most pronounced in rows 15 - 25 (rear engines' direct transmission); mid-cabin (rows 8 - 12) experiences a balanced acoustic environment. The quietest specific rows are 3 - 5 in Business Class near the forward galley, where distance from engines and cabin pressure create a noticeably subdued soundscape.
WestJet typically uses the L1 (forward left) door for Business Class and L2 (mid-left) as the primary Economy exit; the R1/R2 doors open on turnarounds with high passenger volume. On a full 787-9 flight (up to 330 passengers), front-cabin deplaning (Business + forward Economy to row 15) completes in 4 - 6 minutes, while rear Economy takes an additional 5 - 8 minutes due to aisle congestion. At WestJet's primary hub (Calgary International), minimum comfortable connection time is 60 minutes for domestic flights and 90 minutes for international connections, accounting for 787-9 gate positioning and typical ground handling.
For overnight flights on the 787-9, book Business Class seat 1A or 1K (front-row direct aisle access with minimal noise and galley proximity for early breakfast); if flying Economy, target rows 1 - 5 (forward cabin, shortest walk to lavatory). Skip the dinner service if your flight departs after 8 p.m. - you'll sleep better on an empty stomach, and breakfast will arrive as you naturally wake. Bring a neck pillow (the 787's seats recline to 40 - 50° in Economy, requiring support) and a lightweight sleep mask; both fit in a personal item. Optimize arrival by setting your watch to destination time before boarding, drinking water immediately after takeoff, and using the lavatory 30 minutes before landing to avoid the deplaning queue.
Extended Comfort economy in rows 10-14 offers 35-inch pitch, matching premium economy legroom. Standard economy throughout the rest of the cabin features 31-inch pitch, which is below industry average for widebody aircraft.
Yes, all 16 business class seats convert into fully flat beds measuring 6'8" in length, ideal for long-haul flights where sleep quality is essential.
Yes, the 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout ensures every passenger has direct aisle access without climbing over seatmates, a significant advantage over traditional business configurations.
Premium economy offers 35-inch pitch, wider seats, enhanced service, premium amenities, and priority boarding. Standard economy features 31-inch pitch and limited recline, particularly in rows near galleys and lavatories.
Yes, avoid row 5 premium economy if noise-sensitive, as bassinets are typically mounted in bulkhead rows, resulting in infant crying throughout flights.
Rows 2A/2K and 3A/3K offer the quietest business experience, positioned away from the forward galley and lavatory noise present in row 1, and behind the cockpit door.
Most economy seats recline, but row 24 DEF features limited recline due to galley positioning. Rear rows 39-40 also have restricted recline movement.
Economy seats measure 17-17.1 inches wide, which is narrow for a widebody aircraft and explains why middle seats are particularly uncomfortable on longer routes.
