The WestJet Elevation Lounge at Calgary YYC can be considered a premium but crowded experience. The made-to-order food is perhaps the highlight.

Location of the WestJet Elevation Lounge YYC

The WestJet Elevation Lounge is located in Calgary Airport (YYC) in Concourse B. At Calgary, Concourses A, B, and C serve domestic Canadian destinations and all three are connected airside. That means you can clear security at any of those three Concourses, but it’s easiest just to do it at B if the intent is to visit the lounge. It’s right after clearing security.

There are two other Concourses at YYC. Concourse D is the international (non-US) terminal and Concourse E is for transborder departures to the US. If you’re flying out of Concourse D, you’ll need to visit this lounge before entering D (meaning clearing security at B). If you’re flying out of E for a non-stop flight to the US, you cannot enter this lounge at all.

Access rules

The WestJet Elevation Lounge is open from 5AM to 10:15PM daily, which covers many (but not all) flights.

The following guests have access to the lounge:

• WestJet Rewards Platinum and Gold members, or Silver and Teal members who have lounge vouchers
• Business class customers traveling in WestJet Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (including guests connecting to this aircraft at a different airport), except those who purchase an upgrade within 24 hours of departure
• Delta Diamond, Platinum, or Gold Medallion members flying between the US and Canada on a flight operated by Delta or WestJet, or those flying Delta One*
• Priority Pass, DragonPass, Lounge Club, or Diners Club members
• Anyone willing to pay a fee
  • Flying WestJet: $59 + GST for adults, $30 + GST for children 2-17
  • Not flying WestJet: $65 + GST for adults, $33 + GST for children 2-17

All guests are subject to a maximum stay of three hours in length.

Expect a wait for Priority Pass guests

Guests with entry due to WestJet or Delta status, or those who are flying in the appropriate business class cabin, can practically walk right in. However, those trying to enter with Priority Pass or other similar instruments will likely face a line. As Priority Pass customers generally know, there can be queues or waits involved with getting in any lounge. At the WestJet Elevation Lounge, there will be a physical line to wait in rather than any app-based virtual lines.

However, remember the restriction on Concourse E customers not having access to this lounge. I did see the lounge agent turn away Priority Pass customers simply because they’re flying out of E.

Delta elites need the correct routing to get in*

There are two overarching rules for Delta Diamon, Platinum, and Gold Medallion members to know.

• Your Delta or WestJet operated flight must cross the US/Canada border
• You cannot depart YYC from Concourse E, the transborder terminal

Thus, realistically, there are only two scenarios where you’ll gain entry to this lounge:

• Flying from the US to Calgary YYC, and then connect to another Canadian airport same-day
• Flying from Calgary YYC to another Canadian airport, and then connect to the US from there

Calgary cannot be the destination (no lounge access upon arrival). Additionally, you cannot depart for the US directly from Calgary.

This limits the eligible flights where you can experience this lounge, so don’t just book a roundtrip from the US to Calgary expecting to get in.

Seating at the WestJet Elevation Lounge

The WestJet Elevation Lounge certainly feels like it’s on the smaller side, but that’s largely because it’s so crowded. There is seating by the bar, which works best if you also want to watch TV and be close to the drinks.

The lounge also has a large communal table if you want to be social.

There’s also plenty of seating for groups of two. Families with small children are better directed to the family room (more on that later). Meanwhile, other groups might find it challenging to all sit together.

Out of respect for everyone’s privacy, I didn’t take a picture of the lounging chairs at the back of the lounge. There are several, and all were in use. I’m not sure I would sleep on them given the lack of privacy, but if you want to stretch your legs, that’s a decent option. You’ll find it just beyond the section below.

In one corner, you’ll also find some individual chairs with taller privacy screens. This is where I camped out during my stay.

Made-to-order food in the WestJet Elevation Lounge

Rather impressively, there is no buffet inside this lounge. Instead, everything is freshly made-to-order. Given this is WestJet’s only lounge, you might expect something a bit cheaper to run.

You’ll find a kitchen shortly after entering the lounge, but this isn’t where you place your order.

To order food, make your way to any seat. Here, you’ll find a QR code that will take you to their online ordering system.

The menu is extensive, with several appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Items are customizable to a small extent, and while there aren’t pictures of the choices, you’ll find descriptions and ingredients. After ordering, expect the items to take about 5-10 minutes to arrive at your table.

I wanted to get a variety of dishes, so I started with some poutine and a beef taco. Sure, a strange combination but it works. The poutine was pretty good–a little light on the gravy but in that sense it wasn’t too heavy, which makes it good if you want to sample other foods. The taco tasted fresh with all the vegetables in it, and I’m glad it only came with one since I can always order more via the QR code.

A little bit later, I also ordered the alfredo penne with broccoli and a slice of lemon meringue pie. For a dish that says it has broccoli in it, it sure didn’t have much unless you count what they’re crumbled and sprinkled on top. Instead, it had plenty of protein (chicken), making this a rather filling dish. The lemon meringue pie wasn’t the best I’ve eaten, but it had plenty of lemon flavor and I would order it again strictly off that basis.

Drinks

If you’re looking for any mixed drinks (including mocktails), beer, or wine, you can also order them from the QR code. It’s nice that you don’t need to wait in a line at the bar to get drinks. With how crowded the lounge was, it was also nice not having to risk losing my seat.

One important restriction to know is that each seat is subject to a maximum of five alcoholic drinks per visit. Staff will let you know if you’re about to hit the limit. (To be clear, I didn’t come close, but you’ll see the pop-up when ordering.) I think a limit of five per adult is fair.

I ordered the Casa Verde, with rum, Blue Curacao, melon liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg whites. It’s a nice drink for a warm summer day, light and not too strong in alcohol, but it is on the sweeter side.

Not all drinks can be ordered from the QR code. Coca-Cola beverages are available at the dispenser.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of coffee machines near the kitchen area.

Family room

There is a small family space in the WestJet Elevation Lounge, which is good for those traveling with little ones. It’s located towards the back of the lounge.

There isn’t too much inside, but there are open tables. That’s a pretty valuable resource to have in an otherwise crowded lounge. There’s also a TV and some toys in an adjacent playroom. Not bad, but it’ll probably only appeal to younger children.

Showers

Just a quick note that there are shower stalls available. To reserve one, you’ll need to chat with lounge staff near the entrance and they’ll put you on the list if there is one. I didn’t have enough time on this particular trip to check out the showers, but perhaps I’ll do it on a future trip.

Recommendation: Yes, if you have access

If you have access to the lounge, and are flying an eligible route out of Calgary, we’d recommend stopping by. Even if you have to wait in a short line with Priority Pass, the freshly made food is better than what you would find at most buffets and certainly most Priority Pass lounges in North America. Crowding can be an issue, but I suppose that’s the point of waiting in a line to get in.

We’ve passed by the lounge on several occasions and haven’t seen the line to get in too long. The going assumption is that the need to fly domestically in Canada limits the number of eligible guests.

The lounge itself isn’t phenomenal and one that we would want to spend hours in, but if the point is to eat some good food and have a couple of drinks, this lounge is sure to satisfy that need. Sure makes you wish that WestJet operated more than just one lounge.

Have you been to the WestJet Elevation Lounge YYC?

Suggested reading:

• Aspire Transborder Lounge YYC Review: Easy to Access
• Is Priority Pass Still Worth The Effort?
• The Best Options for Airport Lounges for Families