Another of WestJet’s reincarnated registration numbers, the original C-GCWJ was a Boeing 737-200 that the airline sold for scrap in 2002. The current C-GCWJ is a Boeing 737-700 that has been with the Canadian airline since 2004.
We photographed this particular Boeing 737 while plane spotting at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on January 1, 2018. The images were taken with a Canon Rebel T6i. For full-size, high resolution versions for any of the photos in the image gallery, simply click on the individual pictures. See below for more detailed information on C-GCWJ, the Boeing 737-700 model in general and the airline.
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C-GCWJ
Boeing 737-700
WestJet
Original C-GCWJ
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C-GCWJ WestJet Boeing 737-700 Image Gallery
C-GCWJ
C-GCWJ took its first flight on August 5, 2004 and was delivered to WestJet on August 19, 2004. One of 56 B737 aircraft in the fleet, the Boeing 737-7CT is configured for a maximum total of 134 passengers with 12 seats in business class and 122 more seats in economy class.
On May 31, 2013, the Boeing 737-700 was flying from Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago to Toronto, Ontario. After reaching 30,000 feet, a left side engine oil filter bypass indication was received. Crew shut down the engine and returned to Port of Spain for a safe landing. It was determined the line 3 bearing in the angle gear box had failed and was clogging the engine oil filter. The gearbox and oil filter were replaced.
Boeing 737-700
The first of the Boeing 737 Next Generation Family of aircraft, the Boeing 737-700 entered service in 1998 with Southwest Airlines. Southwest remains the primary user for this particular model. The airliner is 34 metres or 110 feet in length with a wingspan of 36 metres or 118 feet. At the tail, the Boeing 737-700 stands 13 metres or 41 feet in height. The flight range is 5,570 kilometres.
This variant is in direct competition with the Airbus A320-200. Check out our article, and video, comparing the Boeing 737 Next Generation Family and the Airbus A320 Family.
WestJet
Founded in 1996, WestJet is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The Canadian airline has a fleet of around 125 aircraft but that number will grow to around 180 in the near future. WestJet flies to over 90 destinations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Not included in the above numbers are subsidiary WestJet Encore. That regional carrier flies a fleet of Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Also not included is new ultra low cost carrier subsidiary Swoop. Swoop will begin service in June, 2018 with a small fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Original C-GCWJ
The original C-GCWJ in the WestJet fleet took its first flight on March 9, 1979 and was delivered to Aloha Airlines on March 23, 1979 as N70723. For a time between 1983 and 1988, the Boeing 737-297 flew for Pan Am but returned to Aloha. The aircraft was delivered to WestJet on May 19, 1998. On March 1, 2002, the Boeing 737-200 was sold to Newjet Engine Services, a company that specializes in engine overhauls and airplane parts (meaning the aircraft was scrapped for parts).
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