Calgary, AB, Canada - September, 2015
After months of waiting, WestJet's first 767 touched down in Calgary shortly after 1am. For an airline that built its success on the simple idea of operating a common airplane
type (the 737), a wide-body like the 767 is a quantum leap forward.
The 767 was selected to replace the 757s the WestJet had been leasing to carry guests on non-stop flights from Alberta to Hawaii. Of course, a wide-body airliner also makes it
possible to fly trans-oceanic to places like Europe.
Although the 767 (tail number 671) arrived in late August, it did so at a time when the skies over southern Alberta were clogged with smoke from forest fires. With air quality warnings and visibility of less than a mile, it was certainly not a time for clear photos. (Trevor McTavish)
After a week the skies cleared, and I was able to take some pictures. The 767-300ER is too big to fit inside WestJet's Calgary so all the maintenance had to be done out on the tarmac. (Trevor McTavish)
Once it's in service this won't be a problem as the maintenance will be done in Toronto where the hangar can easily accommodate a 747. (Trevor McTavish)
In the time that will follow the 767's arrival, maintenance will be done, it will receive its Canadian certification, and departments throughout WestJet will learn how to work around the big jet. Commissary, baggage loaders, de-icers, flight attendants, pilots, mechanics, etc. - all will need some hands-on experience. (Trevor McTavish)
WestJet will have four 767s, but these aren't new airplanes. All four will be ex-Qantas aircraft that have been in desert storage for a couple years. (Trevor McTavish)
You can definitely see their age in the cockpit with its dated, 1980s era, brown decor. If you have the money, it's easy to change the decor in the passenger cabin, but there's little financial incentive to change the colour of the cockpit. (Trevor McTavish)
Starting with the 767, guests paying extra for the premium "Plus"-fare seating will have a lot more room with wider seats and more leg room. (Trevor McTavish)
Other guests seated further will still have plenty of room. In comparison, the fuselage of one of WestJet's regular 737NGs could fit inside the fuselage of the 767. (Trevor McTavish)
There are also three large galleys and seven lavatories spread throughout the cabin. (Trevor McTavish)
Because 671 has not received its Canadian certification, it wears the temporary American registration of N324BC. When certification is complete it will become C-FOGJ. (Trevor McTavish)
Despite its slow start (I was even slow to get my pictures) the 767 will make WestJet money once it enters service. (Trevor McTavish)