I recently visited the beautiful National Park of Banff and Jasper in Alberta and on my way back home, I had the pleasure of visiting the WestJet Elevation Lounge at Calgary Airport. Below is my review and your guide to visiting this Lounge!
Are you planning a trip through the Calgary Airport but want to enjoy some comfort before your flight? Well you've come to the right place!
The lounge is located at the shuttle drop-off zone in Concourse B, next to the track. The floor is marked by this giant rainbow flag
LOCATION
This lounge is conveniently located past security in Concourse B at the Calgary International Airport (YYC) and is accessible to passengers departing from any other Concourse (A,C and D) except for E (US Departures). You can easily find the entrance right off the shuttle drop-off zone in Concourse B next to the track.
ACCESS
You can access this lounge in multiple ways. Passengers flying in WestJet Business Class are granted complimentary access. However, please remember to check your ticket because lounge access doesn't apply to all fare types. Additionally, any other travellers with a Priority Pass membership can also access it.
If you are visiting Canada, you can pre-purchase your esim on the Airalo App so you're connected as soon as you land and can call your Uber, use Google Maps and iMessage/WhatsApp without searching for WiFi. If you sign up with my referral code C0887, you’ll get $3 USD off your first purchase!
THE LOUNGE
There is plenty of seating available including at the bar, dining tables, couches, lounge or business area
Once you're inside the lounge, you'll be greeted with an array of amenities designed to make your wait more comfortable:
1. Spacious Seating: The lounge boasts several large seating areas, so you won't feel cramped while you relax or catch up on work.
2. TV Room: Whether you want to stay updated with the latest news or watch the current game, there's a TV room available for your entertainment!
3. Main Lounge Area: here you can sit back and relax, perfect for some downtime before your flight.
The business area for getting some work done with the phone booths at the back. You have a small tabletop for your documents or laptop
4. Business Area: Need to attend to some work matters? The business area above is a separate section and equipped with small tabletops to help you get some work done.
5. Phone Booths: If you need a quiet place for a phone call or video conference, you'll find private phone booths for your convenience.
6. Other Sitting Areas: In addition to the specific areas mentioned above, the lounge provides plenty of other sitting areas spread for your comfort. There is an area all the way at the back with lounge chairs that allow you to lie down.
DINING
And now for my favourite part, the best feature of this lounge is its commitment to providing you with a truly premium experience. From the moment you step in, you'll be greeted and informed of their Digital Dining Experience. At your table, you'll discover a QR code that opens the door to a world of culinary delights. Scanning the code with your phone gives you access to a dynamic menu that rotates for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can then select your meals and place your order directly on your phone. Another bonus is that you are not forced to download an app as you can do it all right in your phone's browser. Once you submit your order, an attendant will come by to serve you your drinks, followed by your appetizer, entree and dessert. You can order for 2 people in the same order. When I visited, items in any single order were limited to 5 but you could place as many orders as desired.
The QR code recognizes your location via the seat number
Order meals right from your phone
You can also order beverages from the bar
I had delicious poached eggs for brunch!
With a side of coffee, mimosa and a fresh cut fruit bowl!
For lunch, I ordered a beef curry with rice and naan. All the meals were excellent.
THE BAR
A well-stocked bar is one of the cornerstones of this lounge. The drinks menu is extensive, offering a variety of choices to quench your thirst. For brunch specials, they offered Mimosas and Bailey's coffee along with any regular drinks you want to order. If you're in the mood for something special, try their signature cocktails. They also had a recent selection of wines.
Their signature cocktail with blue curacao
WASHROOMS AND SHOWERS
Traveling can be exhausting, but this lounge has you covered. It features clean and well-maintained bathroom facilities. If you need to freshen up before your flight, there are also showers available for your convenience (although I did not visit them). Showers during layovers are always an excellent way to freshen up before stepping onto your next flight.
While heading out to my Gate, I checked up on my luggage location using the Find My App. I always leave an AirTag in my suitcase which allows me to track it and ensure it’s loaded on the plane (AirTags only work with iPhones but you can also use a Samsung SmartTag or a Tile). They are also useful to locate your luggage in case the airline loses them).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this full-service airport lounge is above vyour typical Canadian Lounge; it's an experience in itself. With a fast and smooth service, an a la carte menu, a well-stocked bar and plenty of seating, you'll find yourself looking forward to your next time here. Dare I say, this is the best Airport Lounge that I have been to in Canada and it easily beats out Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge in Montreal by a long shot. I truly hope they keep up this quality of service. I think they have a winning formula here by replacing the typical buffet with a la carte orders If you’ve been to this lounge, I’d be interested to know what your experience was like. Drop a comment below!
So, the next time you're flying out of Calgary Airport, make sure to take advantage of the comfort and luxury that the WestJet Elevation lounge offers. Bon voyage!
This post was originally written on Sept 14, 2023 and has been updated since.
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