Flying within Canada means you’re often stuck choosing between comfort and cost. WestJet and Flair Airlines sit at opposite ends of that spectrum—one offers a premium cabin experience, the other promises rock-bottom fares. But which one actually delivers? After flying WestJet Premium from Toronto to Calgary and Flair Airlines between Toronto and Vancouver, here’s an honest, first-hand breakdown of both.
Whether you’re trying to decide between a budget carrier and an upgraded experience, this comparison covers everything you need to know—check-in, seating, food, entertainment, and overall value.
The Flights at a Glance
WestJet Premium — Toronto (YYZ) to Calgary (YYC), January 1st. A four-hour flight on a Boeing 737-800, departing at 5:00 PM. Part of a larger itinerary connecting to Tokyo, with a total one-way cost of $1,374.
Flair Airlines — Vancouver (YVR) to Toronto (YYZ), return leg of a round trip. A budget carrier known for low base fares, with some unexpected complications along the way.
Two very different airlines, two very different experiences. Let’s get into it.
Check-In Experience
WestJet Premium
The check-in process at Toronto Pearson’s Terminal 3 was smooth and efficient. WestJet offers a dedicated Premium check-in counter, which proved genuinely useful—standard lines were long due to winter holiday crowds. Staff were helpful and even assisted with moving bags to the baggage drop area, a nice touch for a domestic flight.
The only hiccup? Express security access. The boarding pass suggested Premium passengers might have access, but scanning at the express lane didn’t grant entry. A small inconsistency, but worth noting for anyone planning to use that perk. After clearing regular security, the departure gate was at the far end of Terminal 3—a terminal that opened in 1991 and is starting to show its age.
One significant gap: no lounge access is included with WestJet Premium. For a product marketed as a step above economy, this is a notable omission, especially on connecting itineraries where layover time matters.
Flair Airlines
Flair’s check-in experience started with a problem—literally before arriving at the airport. Twenty-four hours before departure, an email prompted online check-in. After filling out all the required details, only one boarding pass generated instead of two. Multiple attempts and seat selection changes made no difference.
With Flair’s customer support closing at 9:00 PM, there was no way to fix the issue that night. The next morning, support advised showing up at the airport counter, assuring that no extra fees would be charged.
Arriving at Vancouver Airport three hours early turned out to be the right call. The counter staff confirmed the tickets were valid and resolved the boarding pass issue quickly. There’s a possible explanation for the glitch: the carry-on bag was registered under one name, while the other passenger only had a personal item. The system may not automatically generate boarding passes for passengers without a paid carry-on—a quirk that appears to have affected other Flair travelers too.
There was a second complication: seat assignments had changed without notice, moving from row 22 to row 12—closer to the front and typically a paid upgrade. In this case, no extra charge was applied. The staff handled both issues efficiently, turning a stressful start into a reasonably positive outcome.
Tip: If you’re flying Flair, arrive early. Technical issues with online check-in are not uncommon, and extra time at the airport can make a real difference.
The Aircraft and Cabin
WestJet Premium
The aircraft was an 11-year-old Boeing 737-800, delivered to WestJet in December 2014. The plane seats 174 passengers across 30 rows with three lavatories. WestJet has been updating its 737 fleet cabins, and this flight showcased the newer seat product.
The Premium cabin consists of 12 seats in a 2-2 configuration across three rows. Each seat is 21.3 inches wide with 38 inches of pitch—generous legroom for a narrow-body aircraft. The seats feature large headrests with supportive wings, center consoles with storage, power outlets, and cocktail trays. It’s a comfortable setup, and the 38-inch pitch genuinely makes a four-hour flight feel manageable.
A bottle of water was already waiting at the seat on boarding. A flight attendant greeted passengers and distributed menus before departure. These small details signal that WestJet is putting effort into making the Premium experience feel distinct from economy.
Flair Airlines
Flair’s cabin told a different story. The seats looked noticeably worn, and the overall cabin cleanliness left something to be desired. Tray tables were fine, but the general condition of the interior was disappointing—especially compared to the outbound Toronto-to-Vancouver flight on the same airline, which had been a much better experience.
Flair operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier, so a no-frills cabin is expected. But worn seating suggests fleet maintenance may be inconsistent across aircraft. Experiences can vary significantly depending on which plane you board.
Food and Beverage
WestJet Premium
A full meal service is included in WestJet Premium, with two dinner options on this flight: chicken souvlaki or vegetarian tortellini. Before the meal, a warm towel was provided along with a proper table setting and non-slip placemat.
The chicken souvlaki was genuinely impressive. Well-seasoned, juicy chicken served with salad, tzatziki sauce, a warm bun, and a side of orzo and perfectly cooked beans. It ranks among the better meals served at altitude. The only mild critique: the salad came with Italian dressing rather than something more aligned with the Greek theme of the dish.
Dessert was a maple caramel cake—a fitting finish for a Canadian domestic flight. Drinks and snacks were also served during the initial climb before the main meal was prepared.
Flair Airlines
Flair offers no complimentary meals. Food and drinks are available for purchase from an onboard menu, which is standard for budget carriers. On this particular flight, the smarter move was grabbing a tomato basil pizza at the airport for around $18 before boarding—typical airport pricing, but good for a budget-airline trip where onboard food options are limited and priced accordingly.
If you’re flying Flair on a longer route, plan your food situation before you board.
Entertainment and Wi-Fi
WestJet Premium
The Boeing 737-800 on this flight did not have WestJet Connect, the airline’s streaming entertainment platform. This is one of the fleet inconsistencies that comes with WestJet’s recent acquisitions of aircraft from Swoop, Sunwing, and Lynx Air—not all planes have the same onboard features.
That said, free Wi-Fi was available and the connection was strong enough to stream YouTube videos without interruption. A flight map was also accessible through personal devices. It’s a workable solution, but passengers expecting a seatback screen will want to check their specific aircraft before departure.
Flair Airlines
No seatback entertainment is available on Flair. This is expected for an ultra-low-cost carrier. The practical advice here is simple: bring your own entertainment. Download shows, podcasts, or playlists before you board. The return Toronto flight was overnight, so the view of city lights below provided its own quiet entertainment—but don’t count on that for every route.
Delays and Punctuality
WestJet departed 28 minutes late from Toronto—reasonable given winter weather conditions in early January, with temperatures around -8°C and light snow flurries. The flight time to Calgary came in at 4 hours and 21 minutes. Not perfect, but hardly alarming for a holiday travel day in Canadian winter.
Flair’s Vancouver departure was delayed by approximately 30 minutes, which added to an already late arrival in Toronto. Given the three-hour time difference between Vancouver and Toronto, arriving close to 1:00–2:00 AM was the result. A minor delay on its own, but notable when it shifts an already-late arrival even later.
Value for Money
This is where the two airlines diverge most sharply.
WestJet Premium at $1,374 (Toronto to Tokyo via Calgary, one-way) represents strong value for a transpacific itinerary with a premium domestic leg included. For the domestic Toronto-to-Calgary segment alone, WestJet Premium offers a seat, a meal, and attentive service that genuinely competes with full business class on short-haul routes. The lack of lounge access is the one meaningful gap.
Flair Airlines appeals on price alone—and on a good day, it delivers exactly that. The outbound Toronto-to-Vancouver flight was smooth and represented solid value for a budget carrier. The return flight, however, came with check-in issues, a worn cabin, and a delay. Flair’s experience varies enough between flights that budget travelers should always build in extra airport time and come prepared.
Is One Better Than the Other?
They serve fundamentally different needs. Flair is for travelers who want the lowest possible fare and are willing to handle the unpredictability that sometimes comes with budget aviation. Arrive early, download your entertainment, bring your food, and manage your expectations—and Flair can work well.
WestJet Premium is for travelers who want a step up without paying full business class prices. The seat is comfortable, the food is genuinely good, and the service is attentive. The absence of lounge access and the inconsistent entertainment options are real gaps, but the overall experience is very close to what many international business class products offer on short-haul routes.
Final Thoughts: Which Airline Should You Book?
Both airlines have a place in the Canadian market, and both can deliver good value—just in very different ways.
If price is the priority and you’re flying a busy leisure route like Toronto to Vancouver, Flair is a reasonable choice. Go in with realistic expectations, book early for the best fares, and always arrive at the airport with time to spare.
If you’re on a longer trip—especially one with connections—WestJet Premium is worth the upgrade. The meal quality, seat comfort, and service level genuinely elevate a four-hour domestic flight. At the right price point, it’s one of the better narrow-body premium products flying in North America.
The bottom line: Flair saves you money. WestJet Premium saves your back. Decide which matters more on your next trip.