Westjet dreamliner flights for the non-baller

[CompletelyNumb]

I've flown into both and layovered in both. Heathrow is better if you're staying in the airport. Otherwise it's not much different. Similar to Tokyo, if you're just leaving, choose the one that has the best routes out of the airport into the city for you, or whichever is cheapest.

[flipstah]

Gatwick is a dump and longer to get to central London.

[pheoxs]

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Gatwick is a dump and longer to get to central London.

Google maps says right now:
Gatwick -> Buckingham palace is 44 minutes via Gatwick express then walk
Heathrow -> Buckingham palace is 51 minutes via walk to the tube then walk

[flipstah]

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Google maps says right now:
Gatwick -> Buckingham palace is 44 minutes via Gatwick express then walk
Heathrow -> Buckingham palace is 51 minutes via walk to the tube then walk

When I landed at Gatwick (via WJ), the gates to the station were further. Heathrow was shorter to exit I found (via Delta)

Won't say no to a cheap flight via LGW though!

[tirebob]

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When I landed at Gatwick (via WJ), the gates to the station were further. Heathrow was shorter to exit I found (via Delta)

Won't say no to a cheap flight via LGW though!

Yeah we usually fly British Airways into Heathrow but this time we are not going to London right away and are spending a few days around Hever which is closer to Gatwick so it worked out with the deal on WJ. I have flown out of Gatwick before into mainland Europe but that is is. It definitely isn’t Heathrow but meh... I am only there for a very small period of time so I don’t care either way.

[Zhariak]

Just out of curiosity.... With WestJet's partnership with Delta, can we earn SkyMiles on WestJet flights?

I've heard of Medallion members having issues getting WestJet to recognize the status they have with the partnership.

[tonytiger55]

Gatwick is a shithole.

The travel aspect of it depends if you are stopping over etc. My parents live next to Heathrow. The time/cost saving is just not work going to Gatwick. It's better to pay the extra and fly into Heathrow.
Heathrow has options going into central, Heathrow express and tube.

[Maxx Mazda]

You won’t find “real” travellers going to Gatwick. By that I mean people who travel frequently and who value their time, hence why Westjet is having so much difficulty filling their business class cabin. Business people fly AC, not Westjet. Not just to london, but because they have shit like lounges, a real rewards program, interline partnerships with everyone who’s a member of Star Alliance, etc.

Westjet’s target clientele are the people who go on vacation once every couple of years, and really don’t care about things like what airport they arrive into. The 787 is a nice aircraft, but that’s about all they’ve got.

[Mitsu3000gt]

I thought Gatwick had pretty good express buses into downtown London, is that no longer the case? The cost difference can be pretty significant flying into Heathrow vs Gatwick.

[pheoxs]

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I thought Gatwick had pretty good express buses into downtown London, is that no longer the case? The cost difference can be pretty significant flying into Heathrow vs Gatwick.

They do

[Mitsu3000gt]

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They do

Yeah I don't get the Gatwick hate. The airport isn't as nice but who cares, you aren't staying there - save $300-$400 or so flying into Gatwick and be on your way. I would have flown into Gatwick the few times I've been to the UK but at the time I went I needed to fly Air Canada to get on a Dreamliner which meant Heathrow.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I prefer Gatwick because I’m usually driving North after landing. Used to fly Transat to Manchester since that was the best route for me.

[ExtraSlow]

You want a real shitshow, try flying into Heathrow and needing a connection out of Gatwick. Had BA schedule a flight of mine like that once. Real fun transfer.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

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You want a real shitshow, try flying into Heathrow and needing a connection out of Gatwick. Had BA schedule a flight of mine like that once. Real fun transfer.

I almost missed my connection in Heathrow between AC and BA both ways due to delays on the 20th and 6th, and I had 2-3 hours between both flights.

[kertejud2]

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Google maps says right now:
Gatwick -> Buckingham palace is 44 minutes via Gatwick express then walk
Heathrow -> Buckingham palace is 51 minutes via walk to the tube then walk

You do have to spend at least $30 more to save that 7 minutes (at least $50 for a return) to take the Express, FWIW.

[dirtsniffer]

One thing wj doesn't have that ac does is a bunch of Quebecers on every flight. Good enough reason for me to fly any other way.

[CompletelyNumb]

Wanted to update this now that I've flown on the plane:

The first 5 rows of economy do have noticeably more leg room. Appreciate the pics early on, glad I paid a few bucks to choose my seat.

Seat width on the other hand isn't great. If you're not in business or premium, you are a sardine.

Overhead bins seem slightly deeper that other planes, everyone of course has their massive carry-ons that don't actually fit in any of the fitment racks in the airport but are allowed to bring them on anyways. And with some Lego like shuffling, they all fit on a packed plane. Impressive.

TV screens larger than other planes. Windows larger. All in all a good experience.

[roopi]

I have a flight coming up to Gatwick and WJ wants $142 for a seat in the first 5 rows. Is that the normal cost?

[CompletelyNumb]

I think I paid under 100 each way for the seat.

15x cheaper than premium economy, seemed ok. The experience on these planes will be very different in premium and business though

[OTown]

Out of curiosity did the air quality seem noticeably better? It seemed to be a selling feature of the new planes due to the fact they can humidify the air due to the materials used.