WestJet Business Class Upgrade Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Book

You've found a flight that works for your schedule, the price looks decent, and you're ready to book. But then you see it: "Business Class" as an option—and suddenly, the questions start piling up. Is this the lie-flat seat or just a wider recliner? Why won't the upgrade option show up for your flight? What's a reasonable offer to make, and will you even get it?

These aren't hypothetical questions. I've worked with dozens of travelers over the years who've booked WestJet Airlines business class expecting one experience and getting another. The difference between the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the 737 fleet is enormous—one is a private pod that fully reclines, the other is essentially a domestic first-class seat. And WestJet's website doesn't always make that distinction obvious.

Last updated: June 2025

Online tools and automated booking systems are great for simple transactions. But when you're dealing with upgrade offers, seat selection, fare rules, and the nuances between different aircraft types, those tools often fall short. They don't explain why your flight isn't eligible for an upgrade, or why the price keeps changing, or what your chances are of having an offer accepted.

Sometimes, the fastest way to get accurate answers and avoid costly mistakes is to talk to someone who can see your specific booking and explain your options in plain language. If you need immediate, accurate guidance on a WestJet business class upgrade, you can call +1-833-894-5333 and speak with a representative who can walk you through your specific situation.

What's the Best Way to Secure a WestJet Business Class Upgrade?

The best way to secure a WestJet Airlines business class upgrade depends on your fare type and timing. If you booked a fare that's eligible (not UltraBasic), you have two main options: place an upgrade offer online up to 75 hours before departure, or purchase a confirmed upgrade at booking. Upgrade offers are considered based on fare class, loyalty status, and how much you bid. The 787 Dreamliner offers lie-flat pods, while the 737 has recliner-style business seats, so know which aircraft you're flying before committing.

Understanding WestJet's Two Very Different Business Class Products

This is where most travelers get tripped up. WestJet operates two main types of aircraft with business class, and the experience is completely different.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – This is WestJet's flagship long-haul aircraft. It has just 16 business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, meaning every seat has direct aisle access. These seats are lie-flat pods with privacy screens, restaurant-style dining, and lounge access included. This is what you're getting on routes like Calgary to Tokyo, London, or other transoceanic destinations. One reviewer noted that while the seat is comfortable, there's a noticeable protrusion in the middle when fully flat that can make sleeping difficult, so bring an extra layer for padding.

The Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX – These narrowbody aircraft have a completely different business class. You'll find 12 seats in a 2-2 configuration with 38 inches of pitch and 5 inches of recline. These are recliner-style seats, not lie-flat pods. They're comfortable for shorter domestic or transborder flights but not designed for sleeping. Some of WestJet's 737s have been retrofitted with denser seating configurations, and the business class product varies depending on which specific aircraft you're on.

The real problem? When you're booking, it's not always obvious which aircraft type you'll actually fly. Equipment swaps happen. And both products are marketed as "Business Class" even though the experience is night and day.

The Upgrade Offer System: How It Actually Works

WestJet uses a bidding system for upgrades on many flights. Here's the reality of how it works:

You place an offer – Up to 75 hours before departure, you can log in with your reservation code and submit a dollar amount you're willing to pay.

They evaluate it – Your offer isn't just judged on price. WestJet considers your WestJet Rewards tier status, your original fare class, the number of available seats, and how many people are in your party.

You wait – Approximately 72 hours before departure, you'll get an email letting you know if your offer was accepted. If not, you can try modifying it until the cutoff.

What they don't advertise – If you booked an UltraBasic fare, you're not eligible for any upgrades. Period. Also, upgrades are per flight segment—if you have a connection, you need to place offers for each leg. And accepted upgrade offers are non-refundable, so if your plans change, that money is gone.

Pricing Logic: Why WestJet Business Class Prices Are All Over the Map

WestJet Airlines business class price is one of the most confusing topics for travelers. Here's the breakdown:

Published business class fares – These are the full prices you see when booking directly. They're locked in at the time of purchase and give you a guaranteed seat in the cabin you selected. This is the safest option if you absolutely must have business class.

Upgrade offers – This is where the bidding comes in. You can often secure a business class seat for far less than the published fare, but you're taking a risk that your offer won't be accepted. One traveler reported a one-way WestJet business class price of CAD $1,300 (about $950 USD) from Vancouver to Tokyo via Calgary, which is significantly less than typical published fares.

Last-minute offers – Sometimes you'll get an offer at check-in or even at the gate, if there are unsold business seats. These can be discounted, but they're not guaranteed.

WestJet Rewards upgrades – Elite members (Gold and Platinum) may qualify for complimentary upgrades on certain fares, though availability is limited and not guaranteed.

The critical detail – The published fare you paid in economy matters. A passenger who paid for EconoFlex has a better chance of having an upgrade offer accepted than someone who paid for a basic or member-exclusive fare. Your original fare rules don't change when you upgrade, meaning any restrictions on changes or cancellations still apply.

Seat Map Confusion: What the Online Tools Don't Tell You

When you look at a WestJet Airlines business class seat map, you might see one layout and assume that's what you'll get. But WestJet operates multiple configurations of the same aircraft type.

The 737-800 has at least two different business class layouts. Some have 12 seats in a standard 2-2 configuration with 38 inches of pitch, 25.7 inches of width, and 5 inches of recline. Others have 12 seats with slightly different dimensions.

The 737 MAX – Some of these aircraft were retrofitted with denser configurations after WestJet absorbed Swoop aircraft. The layout can look similar on a seat map but feel different in terms of comfort and space.

What the app won't tell you – Seat maps on the app or website might show the generic configuration, not the specific aircraft you'll actually fly. Equipment changes happen, and you might end up on a different plane than what was shown at booking. For routes where the aircraft type matters (e.g., overnight flights where you want a lie-flat seat), it's worth calling to confirm the equipment.

Related Post: WestJet Group Booking 

How to Check Your Upgrade Eligibility and Place an Offer

Step 1: Verify your fare typeLog into your WestJet booking and check your fare class. If you booked UltraBasic, stop here—you're not eligible for any upgrades. If you booked Econo, EconoFlex, Premium, or PremiumFlex, you can proceed.

Step 2: Check if the upgrade option is availableNot all flights offer upgrade opportunities. Visit the WestJet "Upgrades" page, enter your reservation code and last name, and see if your flight is listed. If your flight doesn't show up, it might be fully booked in business class, not eligible due to codeshare arrangements, or too close to departure.

Decision point: If you see the option to place an offer, you're in the bidding system. If you don't, you may need to call to see if any last-minute options are available.

Step 3: Choose your bidding strategyWhen placing an upgrade offer, you'll use a slider to select your maximum bid. There's no published minimum, but higher offers have a better chance of acceptance. Consider what the published business class fare is for your route and bid accordingly. If the fare is normally $1,500 and you bid $300, you might not succeed.

Decision point: Do you bid high for certainty, or low and risk being denied? This depends on your budget and how badly you want the upgrade.

Step 4: Check your offer statusApproximately 72 hours before departure, WestJet will email you about the status of your offer. You can also check the upgrade portal. If your offer was accepted, payment will be processed automatically, and you're locked in—non-refundable.

Decision point: If your offer was rejected, you can sometimes place a new offer at check-in or the gate, depending on availability. Call ahead to inquire.

Step 5: Call if you're still stuckIf you're confused about eligibility, have a special situation, or want to try a last-minute purchase, calling is often your only option. The website doesn't handle exceptions well, and some fares (like those booked through third parties) won't show upgrade options online.

What to Say When You Call

If you need to talk to someone about a business class upgrade, have your reservation code, flight numbers, and dates ready. You can reach a representative at +1-833-894-5333. Be specific about what you want: "I'd like to know if my booking is eligible for a business class upgrade, and if so, what the best available price is."

Business Class Options on WestJet: A Decision Framework

WestJet Airlines business class isn't a single product. Here's the hierarchy based on what you're actually getting:

The 787 Dreamliner (Long-haul international) – This is the premium product. Lie-flat pods, 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access, 16 seats total for intimate service, lounge access, restaurant-style dining. This is what you want for overnight flights where sleep matters. The trade-off? It costs more and is only available on select routes like Calgary to Tokyo, London, and some European destinations.

The 737-800/MAX (Domestic and transborder) – Recliner-style seats in a 2-2 configuration, 12 seats total, 38 inches of pitch. This is a domestic first-class experience—more legroom, better meals, priority services, but not a lie-flat. It's better than economy but won't let you sleep flat on a red-eye.

The Decision Priority:

1. Check the aircraft type before you book—if you need a lie-flat, don't book a 737 route.

2. Consider the bidding system for cost savings, but only if you can handle uncertainty.

3. Book confirmed business class if the route is critical and you need certainty about the experience.

Read this: westjet airlines business class upgrade 

Important distinction: The 737's business class is sometimes called "domestic business" and is closer to what other airlines call Premium or First. The 787's business class is true long-haul business. The website won't make this distinction obvious, so you need to verify the aircraft before committing.

Common Mistakes Section

Mistake 1: Assuming all business class on WestJet is the sameThis is the single most common error. Business class on the 787 Dreamliner is a lie-flat pod. Business class on the 737 is a recliner seat. Neither is "bad," but they serve completely different purposes. Booking a 737 for an overnight transcontinental flight thinking you'll sleep flat is a recipe for disappointment.

Mistake 2: Booking UltraBasic and hoping to upgradeUltraBasic fares are explicitly excluded from all upgrade options. You cannot place an upgrade offer, bid, or purchase an upgrade at any price. If you want the option to upgrade, you need to book at least a standard economy fare.

Mistake 3: Not understanding the bid systemYour upgrade offer isn't just about money—it's also about fare class, loyalty status, and available seats. Bidding the maximum isn't always enough if you're on a low fare class and Gold members are bidding less.

Mistake 4: Upgrading without understanding your original fare rulesWhen you upgrade, your original fare rules don't change. If you had a non-refundable ticket, it stays non-refundable. If you had change fees, those still apply. The upgrade fee itself is non-refundable, so think carefully before committing.

Mistake 5: Relying on the website to show you the actual seat mapThe seat map shown online or in the app may not reflect the exact aircraft you'll fly. Equipment changes happen, and WestJet has multiple configurations of both the 787 and 737. If the seat layout matters to you, call to confirm.

Mistake 6: Missing the 75-hour cutoffUpgrade offers close 75 hours before departure. If you wait too long, you're out of luck. If you do miss it, you can sometimes ask at the gate, but it's not guaranteed.

Why Picking Up the Phone Is Often Faster and More Reliable

I've seen enough travelers waste hours clicking through WestJet's app, trying to figure out why their flight doesn't show an upgrade option or why the seat map changed. The reality is, the self-serve tools handle standard cases well, but they break down on anything slightly unusual.

Speaking to a human agent gives you access to information the website won't show you:

• Real-time availability – Agents can see exactly how many business class seats are left and whether there's any flexibility, even if the upgrade offer system says "sold out."

• Aircraft confirmation – An agent can tell you exactly which aircraft is scheduled for your route and whether the seat map you're seeing reflects reality.

• Exception handling – If you have a complicated booking (groups, infants, special assistance, or codeshare flights), the website often can't process your request. An agent can.

• Loyalty consideration – WestJet Rewards members sometimes have access to upgrades that don't show up online. An agent can see if you qualify for something the website hides.

• Bid guidance – While an agent can't guarantee your offer will be accepted, they can give you a sense of what bids have been working recently on your specific route.

Best times to call: Early mornings (6–9 a.m. MT) or late evenings tend to have shorter hold times. Platinum members have a dedicated support line available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. MT through the WestJet app.

A real example: A traveler I know booked a 737 flight from Calgary to New York, assuming business class was standard domestic seating. When the website didn't show an upgrade option, they assumed it was sold out. After a quick call to +1-833-894-5333, they learned the aircraft had actually been swapped to a MAX with available seats—and they secured the upgrade at the gate. The website never would have shown that.

Sample conversation script:

You: "Hi, I have a booking with reservation code XYZ. I'm interested in upgrading to business class on flight WS 123 on Friday. Can you tell me if there's availability and what my options are?"

Agent: [Checks and provides options]

You: "Thanks. What aircraft is scheduled for that flight? Is it the 787 or a 737? I want to make sure I'm getting the lie-flat seats if possible."

Agent: [Confirms details and next steps]

Conclusion

You landed here because the information about WestJet Airlines business class upgrades is confusing. Different aircraft types, different upgrade systems, different eligibility rules—it's a lot to unpack, and WestJet's website doesn't always make it easy.

The key takeaway: know your aircraft, know your fare type, and know your options. If you're flying on a 787, you're getting lie-flat pods. If you're on a 737, you're getting recliner seats. If you booked UltraBasic, you can't upgrade. If you didn't, you can either place a bid or purchase a confirmed upgrade.

The real value of this guide is helping you avoid costly mistakes—like assuming you'll get a lie-flat seat on a 737, or wasting time trying to upgrade from a fare that doesn't allow it, or overbidding when a lower offer would have worked.

If you've checked your booking, read the policies, and still feel unsure about what to do next, the fastest path forward is speaking to a representative who can see your specific situation and give you real answers. Call +1-833-894-5333—they'll confirm your eligibility, explain your options, and help you make a decision you won't regret.

For your specific flight, your specific fare, and your specific needs, there's no substitute for that human confirmation.