WestJet Ultra Basic: Seats at the rear of the plane, no carry-on bags

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WestJet has announced a new lower-cost fare option for its flights, it’s called “UltraBasic,” and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Here’s what you need to know.

What are the airline’s current fare options?

With the addition of UltraBasic, WestJet now offers seven service levels: Next is Econo, then Econo Flex, then Premium and Premium Flex, and finally Business and Business Flex. According to the airline, UltraBasic replaces the Basic fare “with changes to carry-on baggage allowance and boarding zones.” In other words, it’s a more basic fare.

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Will the new fares be cheaper?

Indeed. When searching for flights from Toronto to Calgary departing on Monday, June 10, and returning on Friday, the WestJet website listed tickets for $2,816 in the Premium Flex level, $2,034 in Premium, $1,316 in EconoFlex, and $1,209 in Econo. But the same ticket in the Ultra Basic level was just $446.61, just over a third of the next highest price.

What do you get with UltraBasic?

Not much difference. According to the airline’s website, the new fare will allow you to bring one personal item on board that fits under the seat in front of you; you’ll get a pre-assigned seat towards the back of the plane; and you’ll board last. You’ll also enjoy “the same friendly service, in-flight food and beverage options and access to the WestJet Connect in-flight entertainment and connectivity system.”

What if I don’t like my pre-assigned seat at the back of the plane?

If there are other seats available, you can change to another seat, but a fee will apply.

What happens if you arrive at the gate with carry-on luggage?

Unless you’re flying internationally or have purchased an upgrade, you’ll still be charged for carry-on bags — twice as much, in fact: “Guests who check carry-on bags at the gate will be charged the checked baggage fee and the service fee for placing the bag under the aircraft,” WestJet said.

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Can I change or cancel my flight?

No, and you won’t earn WestJet Reward points for flying.

What is WestJet saying about this?

“We are committed to making air travel more affordable, and UltraBasic is an innovative, cost-effective solution that enhances WestJet’s ability to offer our customers budget airfares to more destinations,” said John Weatherill, WestJet group executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “UltraBasic allows our customers to customize a travel experience that suits their needs without paying for extra services they don’t need. We are delivering on our low fare promise, and we believe UltraBasic will give more Canadians the opportunity to fly.”

“The introduction of UltraBasic is expected to speed up boarding procedures, leading to improved on-time performance and increased passenger satisfaction,” the airline said in a press release.

What are others saying?

“It’s a sign of the times,” Graham Bligh, who runs the travel website The Canadian Jetsetter, told CBC. “I’m not surprised to see this. It’s certainly following a trend like the low-cost European airlines, where everything is charged for.”

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“Is this fare type intended to make you regret booking? It sounds like a seating option that would let you sit in the cargo hold or wing, space permitting,” travel website One Mile at a Time founder Ben Schlappig wondered.

He added: “Logically, one would have thought that WestJet would simply add restrictions to its existing Basic fare rather than rebranding it. The Ultra Basic branding also seems intended to make people even more skeptical about booking and encourage them to shop around until the next fare. It’s also worth noting that, unlike other airlines, WestJet doesn’t just assign seats to Ultra Basic passengers at check-in. Instead, the airline assigns the worst seats in advance.”

He concludes: “Going from Basic to UltraBasic…amazing!”

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