WestJet later this year will add space to premium-economy
seating on certain flights by removing the middle seat from circulation, the
carrier announced Tuesday.
Beginning Sept. 14, staff will cover middle seats in Plus
rows on WestJet's Boeing 737s with tray tables. Executive vice president of
sales, marketing and guest experience Bob Cummings in a statement said the
change targets business travelers by offering a lower-cost option than other
airlines' business class. WestJet began selling tickets with the new
configuration Wednesday.
WestJet's Boeing 767, which WestJet will add to its fleet
this year, will offer three Plus rows with a pair of wider seats on each side
of the aisle.
The carrier on Tuesday also reported 2015 first-quarter net
earnings of C$140.7 million, up 57.6 percent year over year. It was the carrier's
best-ever quarterly net earnings, according to WestJet president and CEO Gregg
Saretsky. Revenue increased 4 percent to C$1.1 billion year over year.
WestJet's load factor declined 1.5 percentage points year over year to 81.6 percent, as a 4.7 percent increase in capacity outpaced a 2.8 percent increase in traffic. Revenue per available seat mile declined 0.7 percent, and cost per available seat mile declined 7 percent, largely owing to lower fuel costs. Yield increased 1.2 percent year over year during the quarter.