WestJet Elevation Lounge YYC Review: Is it Canada’s Best Domestic Lounge?

WestJet Elevation Lounge YYC – Location and Access

My visit to the WestJet Elevation lounge in YYC was on my return journey from Las Vegas (LAS), with a three-hour layover in Calgary (YYC). The economy flights themselves were uneventful, offering complimentary soft drinks or juice along with pretzels or a cookie, with food available for purchase. What stood out, as usual with WestJet, was the youthful and good-humoured cabin crew, which made the 4.5-hour flight from LAS to YYC more pleasant. The highlight of the entire trip was my visit to the WestJet Elevation Lounge in YYC.

The lounge is located in Concourse B of the Domestic Terminal at YYC, immediately after security. Access is limited to passengers travelling on domestic flights only. Complimentary entry is available to WestJet passengers flying in business class, as well as those holding Platinum and Gold status. Silver and Teal WestJet members with lounge vouchers can also access the lounge. The lounge also accepts Priority Pass, LoungeKey, and DragonPass memberships, which is how I accessed it.

Lounge Layout and Seating Options

The lounge’s design makes a strong first impression. Entry is via a striking wooden walkway composed of panels resembling rowing oars laid side by side, a design motif that continues throughout the space. To the right of the entrance is a seating area with white marble tables and light brown leather chairs, each with a conveniently placed charging station beneath.

Further inside is a long communal white marble high-top table seating more than 20 guests, again with charging access at most seats. This area sits beside a glass wall overlooking the moving passenger walkway outside the lounge, and beyond that, clear views of the tarmac where aircraft taxi, park, and depart—an especially enjoyable vantage point for aviation enthusiasts.

Additional seating areas include clusters of black leather chairs with white marble coffee tables, all thoughtfully designed to accommodate device charging. Rounding the corner leads to the main bar, a visually impressive space stocked with draft beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks. A centrally placed electric fireplace directly in front of the bar adds warmth and atmosphere to the space. Throughout the lounge, there are wooden panel designs, complemented by muted flat-screen TVs showing sports and news.

Past the bar are the men’s and women’s washrooms, along with two private shower rooms. Nearby is a dedicated family area designed for travellers with young children, offering ample space and distractions. At the far end of the lounge are six full-length leather recliners, ideal for anyone looking to rest or nap during a longer layover.

Food and Beverage Service

One of the most distinctive aspects of the WestJet Elevation Lounge is its approach to food service. There is no traditional buffet. Instead, aside from a self-serve coffee station with a machine capable of preparing a variety of hot beverages, all food and drinks are ordered directly from your seat.

Similar to Aspire Lounge in YUL, each table features a unique QR code linked to its table number. By scanning it, guests can order appetizers, mains, desserts, and drinks—including beer, wine, cocktails, and premium spirits at no additional cost. Orders are delivered directly to the table, eliminating lines and crowding around food stations.

During my visit, I sampled a range of items, including a rich cream of broccoli and cheddar soup made with Canadian ingredients, a braised Alberta ground beef pasta with fusilli and parmesan, and a warm Mexican rice power bowl with basmati rice, vegetables, and tempeh. For dessert, I tried both the raspberry sorbet, sourced from Canada and garnished with mint, and a bite-sized orange cake from British Columbia.

On the beverage side, I enjoyed an Apple Whisky Smash, a Canadian whisky cocktail with cinnamon notes, and the WestJet Elevation Cocktail, a more elaborate creation featuring Alberta dry gin, curaçao, lime juice, beer syrup, bitters, melon liqueur, gelatin, and nitrogen infusion. Service was impressively fast, with most dishes arriving within five minutes of placing the order.

Other Amenities

Beyond seating and dining, the lounge offers thoughtful amenities that enhance the overall experience. The availability of showers is particularly useful for travellers on longer journeys, while the abundance of power outlets throughout the lounge makes it easy to work or recharge devices. The digital magazine access and quiet atmosphere contribute to a modern, uncluttered feel. Notably, the QR-based ordering system also allows the lounge to monitor alcohol consumption. During my visit, I overheard staff politely asking another guest to wait before ordering an additional drink.

Takeaway

As WestJet’s signature lounge at its largest hub, the Elevation Lounge YYC left a strong impression. For a domestic terminal lounge in North America where offerings are often basic, this space stands out significantly. The thoughtful layout, warm décor, attentive and friendly staff, and high-quality food and drink combine to create an experience that rivals and in many ways surpasses comparable domestic lounges.

Compared with Air Canada’s domestic Maple Leaf Lounges, including those at YYZ, the WestJet Elevation Lounge feels like a clear step up, and could well be the best domestic lounge in Canada. Even with a three-hour layover, I found myself wishing for more time to explore the cocktail menu and settle further into the space. For anyone travelling domestically through Canada with Priority Pass access, routing through Calgary to experience this lounge is well worth considering.

Safe travels ✈️

Featured Image Credit: WestJet