A Crowded Lounge at YYC: WestJet Elevation Lounge Review

I had the opportunity to visit the flagship WestJet Elevation Lounge at the Calgary International Airport. This is WestJet’s premier lounge experience, and I was excited to see how it stacks up against other North American flagship lounge networks.

The Elevation Lounge was launched in November 2020, so I was curious as to what innovative ideas Westjet would bring to the table. 

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Here are 10 things you need to know about the WestJet Elevation Lounge at Calgary International Airport

1. Great Location

Calgary International Airport has 5 concours,’ and the WestJet Elevation Lounge is just inside security at Concours B. While Concours B serves domestic flights, you can access the lounge if you’re traveling in concours A, B, C, & D (you can’t access the lounge if you’re traveling to the US). 

Calgary International Airport has a tram system that connects the Concours’, and the Elevation lounge is right next to the tram drop-off. 

Here is a further video of the Calgary International Airport by Youtuber On Time Reports

You couldn’t pick a better location for a lounge

2. You Can Access the WestJet Elevation Lounge several Different Ways 

There are a number of different ways in which you can access the WestJet Elevation Lounge: 

• Those flying WestJet business class on the Boeing 787 
• WestJet Gold & Platinum members
• Priority Pass members
• LoungeKey Members
• Diners Club Members
• DragonPass Members

If you currently hold WestJet Silver status, you can use one of your 4 Lounge Passes to access the lounge. 

Lastly, you can pay $59 – $65+tax to access the lounge.

The easiest way for most Canadians to access the lounge would be via Priority Pass or DragonPass, a common inclusion with most high-travel credit cards offered by TD, CIBC, Scotiabank, BMO & American Express. 

Read: Your Complete Guide to WestJet Rewards

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3. The Lounge was Understaffed & There Was a Wait 

We showed up at 6:30 PM on a Friday evening, on a day when no fights were flying to Toronto or Montreal due to a snowstorm. 

Upon arrival, we were told that Priority Pass members were not being accepted at that time, and we were advised to come back in an hour. We had a 3-hour layover, so we left and came back without much of a fuss.

We’ve all read numerous stories of crowding at lounges. Despite this, I was very surprised at the wait time, as there simply weren’t many flights taking off that evening, aside from short-haul trips. 

I spoke with the front desk attendant, and she informed me that the wait time was primarily due to a short-staffed kitchen (the lounge was only 75% full at the time)

Given that there are multiple ways to access this lounge, Priority Pass members should not expect immediate access. Airports are still short-staffed, and there is still a lot of “revenge travel” going on. Needless to say, lounge access is very hit-and-miss these days.

4. There are A LOT of Different Seating Options

To say there are a lot of seating options is a bit of an understatement. Regardless of what you’re looking for, there is a seat for you. 

Seating options include: 

• Individual loungers (in the “wellness area”
• Padded bench seats
• Padded High top chairs
• Private 4 seater rooms
• Seats at the bar
• 2 person tables
• a “kids” room

The list of options doesn’t do it justice. Here is a virtual tour put together by WestJet which helps illustrate the layout of the lounge

My wife and I chose to sit at a secluded 2 person table. 

5. Food Items & Alcoholic Beverages are Ordered Through a QR Code

At every table, there is a QR code you can scan if you wish to order food or alcoholic drinks. 

At first glance, the QR code strikes me as a lingering COVID regulation, but after seeing the presentation of the food, I think the QR codes are here to stay. This isn’t the half-assed cardboard boxes that Air Canada was rolling out in 2021. The presentation of the food is extremely classy when compared to a buffet, and this seems to be the vibe that WestJet is going for with this lounge. 

However, I couldn’t help but think that the “kitchen is too overstaffed for you to enter” line I was fed as I waited in line could’ve been avoided if they had put out a hot buffet. It also can be a deterrent to those who are in a rush.

Unfortunately, you have to use the QR code for alcoholic drinks even if you’re sitting at the bar. I’m sure this makes things easier to track from WestJet’s perspective, but it seems like an unnecessary step. 

The ordering process is extremely simple, and there is a full bar that you can order from. 

6. Non-Alcoholic Beverages are Self-Serve

While alcoholic beverages need to be ordered from the menu, non-alcoholic beverages are self-serve. There are 2 espresso/coffee machines, along with a sparkling/still water tap and a fountain pop machine. 

There are no bottles of water offered in the lounge. If you have a refillable bottle, you can use the tap. No cans/no bottles. Even the juice needs to be poured from a 2L jug.

In addition to the absence of bottled water, there aren’t any chips/cookies you can take. One of the great things about going to a lounge is throwing a bag of chips in your backpack for the plane. Unfortunately, this doesn’t appear to be an option at this lounge. 

7. The Service Was Great

The service in the WestJet Elevation Lounge was great! After ordering through the QR code, servers were delivering our food/drinks in under 5 minutes.

Dirty plates and glasses were promptly cleaned up, and the lounge as a whole was spotless.

Well done WestJet.

8. Clean Washrooms with a Shower

The washrooms, like the rest of the lounge, were very clean.

There is also a shower, although you need to request access from the front desk.

9. TV’s Located Throughout the Lounge

There are TVs located in some areas in the Elevation lounge. If you’re interested in watching a sporting event, I would recommend sitting at the bar, although there are TVs located in the group seating area.

10. One of 2 Domestic Lounges for Travellers

There is only one other lounge for domestic travelers, and that is the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. I personally view the WestJet Elevation Lounge to be slightly higher quality when compared to the domestic MLL at YYC.

Lounges are very busy these days, so whatever lounge has space and is available is the right choice.

Conclusion

The WestJet Elevation Lounge at YYC is WestJet’s flagship lounge, and you can certainly see that they’ve put a lot of thought into the layout. The food and drink were above average with what you’d expect in a lounge, and the service was fantastic

I would recommend this lounge in a heartbeat

There are no other Priority Pass lounges in the domestic terminal, and with that comes the increased likelihood of overcrowding. I hope there isn’t a line when you visit the WestJet Elevation Lounge

How to Access The WestJet Elevation Lounge at YYC

1. WestJet Rewards Platinum, Gold, and Silver members are eligible for complimentary lounge access based on their tier benefits.
2. Guests traveling in the Business cabin of our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (including connections when a Business fare has been purchased) also enjoy complimentary access to the lounge
3. Delta Sky Miles members with Diamond, Platinum, or Gold Medallion status traveling on an itinerary that includes a segment between Canada and the US operated by Delta and/or WestJet also enjoy complimentary access. Those holding a Delta One ticket also have access when Calgary (YYC) is part of the same-day international itinerary.
4. Priority Pass, DragonPass via Mastercard Travel Pass, LOUNGE CLUB, and Diners Club members may access the lounge using their membership benefits.
5. All other guests, including those traveling on other airlines, are welcome to access the lounge for a fee, payable on lounge entry

Things to do in Calgary

There are a number of amazing things to do in Calgary including:

• Drive up to Banff
• Attending a sporting event
• Take in the Calgary Stampede (if you’re there during the festivities)
• Visit Prince Island Park
• Go to the Calgary Zoo

View More Tourism Destinations in Calgary