WestJet Upgrades Its Boeing 737 Fleet

WestJet has completed upgrades to the remaining all-economy Boeing 737 aircraft formerly operated by Swoop and Sunwing Airlines.

The cabin transformation brings the all-economy Boeing 737s of now-defunct divisions in line with WestJet’s standard onboard product following consolidation, ensuring a more consistent product.

For the Canadian carrier, this completes another phase of the broader fleet and business integration that followed WestJet’s 2023 absorption of Swoop to reduce financial pressure, and then the 2025 Sunwing Airlines merger.

Now, according to WestJet, the reconfigured aircraft feature Premium, Extended Comfort, and Economy cabin classes rather than the single-class layout inherited from the Boeing 737s that reflected its former leisure-focused operations.

New Cabins for Former Swoop and Sunwing Boeing 737s

The completed work on the Boeing 737s applies to the remaining narrowbody aircraft in WestJet’s operation that previously flew with Swoop and Sunwing Airlines and had an all-economy interior configuration. Upgrading these cabins was a priority following the integrations, with premium seating and an expanded Extended Comfort cabin now complementing a refreshed interior.

WestJet says added amenities include TELUS Wi-Fi, a four-way adjustable headrest, personal device holders, modernised charging ports, and coat hooks. These additions are not game-changing for an individual, but the airline describes them as bringing a more consistent product across its 737 fleet.

Furthermore, WestJet says the changes are intended to create a passenger experience comparable to competing airlines and are appropriate for the price point of its services. The unification is important to meet the expectations of employees and guests after consolidating two brands into one over the last three years.

WestJet has also seen the work remove a legacy component of the former operators under a new strategy. Swoop was launched as an ultra-low-cost carrier with a high-density cabin configuration throughout an all-economy cabin to support low fares.

Meanwhile, Sunwing Airlines was structured more around the Canadian leisure and package holiday market; while Sunwing aligned with WestJet, it ultimately differed from WestJet’s remaining business focus.

As a consequence of the cabin upgrades and integration, WestJet has evolved its scheduled network and cabin strategy to remain competitive, improve margins, and ensure a stable path through volatility, drawing on elements of both the former Swoop and Sunwing models.

WestJet’s Growing Pains With The Boeing 737s

When WestJet integrated Swoop back into its mainline operation on 28 October 2023, it ended the standalone ultra-low-cost brand. The integration transferred the aircraft and employees into the Calgary-based airline.

Two years later, the airline completed the integration of Sunwing Airlines, meaning all aircraft fell under a single Air Operator Certificate and resulting in a mixed fleet of cabin configurations. During the integration, the airline acquired 16 Swoop jets, nine aircraft from Lynx Air, which also ceased operations, and 18 aircraft from Sunwing Airlines.

While the consolidation gave WestJet more aircraft quickly, it also meant planes with different seating layouts, products, and liveries.

Over time, the airline has prioritised removing these growing pains and invested in standardising the cabin and overall image of these 737s so they can be displayed and recognised as WestJet aircraft.

The Canadian carrier has now confirmed it has completed this; next, it will refurbish its own legacy narrowbody fleet in September to expand Extended Comfort and improve amenities on some of its Boeing 737-800s, with the work expected to be completed by the end of 2027.