WestJet 787 Business Class: Family Guide

WestJet 787 Business Class offers individual flat-bed seats on the airline’s Dreamliner flights. For families, the biggest question comes before comparing blankets or menus: can the child use an accepted seating arrangement in this cabin? WestJet prohibits car seats in Business, so confirm that constraint before paying for a pod.

Is WestJet 787 Business Class suitable for children?

WestJet 787 Business can suit a child who can use the cabin’s accepted seating arrangement and manage some time in an individual pod. Car seats are not permitted in Business, so a family relying on one needs to choose a cabin where their device is accepted.

That restriction comes from WestJet’s car-seat and restraint policy, rather than from a seat review. Speak to the airline about your child’s age, needs and intended arrangement before booking; extra space does not remove the cabin restriction.

For an independent older child, a separate bed can be useful on a long flight. For a child needing frequent help with food, seat controls or settling, check how easily a parent can reach them. A center pair offers two nearby positions, but the two seats remain separate.

What is the 787-9 Business cabin layout?

WestJet’s 787-9 has 16 Business seats in a 1-2-1 layout, with a single seat at each window and a pair in the center. Business occupies rows 1–4; Premium is a different cabin with reclining seats behind it.

The official Dreamliner fleet page shows Business seat positions A, D, F and K, personal entertainment and power outlets. Check those positions on the map for your flight rather than assuming a Business label on another WestJet aircraft means the same product.

WestJet 787-9 · window single, center pair, window single

Window

▰1 seat

Aisle

▰▰2 seats

Aisle

▰1 seat

Window

The map is useful for finding available seats and the nearby galley or bathroom. It does not fully convey the shell height, seat angle or the distance a parent must reach across a console.

Which seats help a parent stay close to a child?

Investigate a center D/F pair first for an adult and a child, then confirm that it meets the airline’s seating requirements and your child’s assistance needs. For four travelers, two nearby center pairs can let one adult sit beside each child.

The Points Guy’s 2019 flight report describes a center divider that can be lowered for companions. That can make conversation easier, but it does not turn the pair into one shared space or authorize an infant device.

Ask about bulkhead positions only after resolving the child’s seating arrangement. More space in one footwell is less useful if it puts the child too far from the helping adult or leaves the family without enough suitable seats.

Can babies use car seats or bassinets in Business?

WestJet does not permit car seats in Business, and its current family guidance places bassinets in Economy on selected 787-9 aircraft. Do not book a Business bulkhead expecting a bassinet simply because another Dreamliner cabin has one.

For international journeys, an infant booked into their own seat and the accompanying adult must travel in another cabin, under WestJet’s infant seating rule. Confirm the booking arrangement with WestJet before paying.

The children and family page explains how to request eligible bassinet positions during booking. Availability is limited and must be checked for the particular aircraft and flight.

If traveling with an infant, ask WestJet to confirm the permitted booking arrangement, any equipment and all necessary seats before purchasing. If the plan depends on an approved car seat, compare a cabin that accepts it and obtain confirmation for the device and installation.

How much useful sleep can a family expect?

A flat bed creates an opportunity to rest, but it does not guarantee that a child will sleep. Compare the actual departure time, meal service, connection and arrival with the child’s routine, rather than counting the whole flight as sleeping time.

A January 2025 London–Calgary report from Knight of Malta describes reading and snoozing on that daytime journey. It illustrates why the same seat can serve different purposes on a day flight and an overnight flight; the reviewer’s experience is not a prediction for your child.

What meals and entertainment should you arrange?

WestJet allows Business passengers to request special meals on all its 787 routes, with requests made at least 24 hours before departure. Pack offline entertainment and familiar snacks alongside the onboard service, especially for a child whose preferred food is limited.

The food and special-meal policy describes the child meal for ages 2–7. It also says a special meal must be requested again if the flight is cancelled or rescheduled; a late upgrade after check-in cannot be relied on to add one.

The same policy does not guarantee the absence of allergens. If a dietary requirement affects the trip, discuss the available option directly and prepare the food your child needs within the applicable travel rules.

Personal screens and power outlets are helpful, but keep downloaded activities and headphones ready. Confirm connectivity for the particular departure rather than assuming a fleet rollout announcement means every Dreamliner already has the same free Wi-Fi service.

How should you handle connections and flight changes?

Keep the whole family’s seat, meal and infant requests together when reviewing any itinerary change. A replacement flight can alter the aircraft, cabin or seats, and WestJet specifically requires a new special-meal request after cancellation or rescheduling.

Our guide to traveling with kids helps organize the documents and essentials used between flights. Keep the cabin decision tied to that wider plan so the upgraded leg does not hide a difficult journey around it.

Is WestJet Business worth the upgrade for a family?

WestJet 787 Business is a stronger choice when the family can use the cabin’s accepted seating arrangements, suitable seats are available together and a long flight offers meaningful rest time. It is a poor fit if the trip depends on a car seat in Business or a Business bassinet.

Compare the total upgrade for all travelers, including points and fees, rather than one attractive fare. The family trip budget planner can show what the added flight spend leaves for the rest of the trip.

If comparing Canadian airlines, our Air Canada MAX 8 guide explains a regional recliner product; it is a different comfort purchase from a Dreamliner bed. Choose according to the child’s accepted seating, the schedule and the cost of getting everyone to the destination in a workable arrangement.