WestJet Passenger Tries To Bribe Crew For Premium Seat, Turns Aggressive When Told No

Published Oct 31, 2026, 2:45 PM EDT Journalist – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America. Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand. His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot. A recent WestJet passenger tried his luck with cabin crew on Sunday, November 25, attempting to bribe a flight attendant to be upgraded to a premium seat. The flight, operating as WestJet 2555, was a scheduled service from Cancun International Airport (CUN) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). According to AirLive, the male passenger approached the cabin crew after takeoff, and allegedly offered a cash sum to be moved to the front of the aircraft. The four-hour flight from Cancun to Toronto was operated by the airline's Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which is configured with several seat choices, including Premium, Extended Comfort, Preferred Economy, and Standard. Male Passenger Attempts To Bribe A WestJet Flight Attendant For A Seat Upgrade Credit: Robin Guess | Shutterstock The flight attendant politely declined the request from the passenger and explained in detail to the individual the airline's policy in relation to cabin upgrades. The cash sum for an unauthorized move to a premium seat was not an option, and the male passenger was upset by the flight attendant's rejection and, as a result, reportedly became verbally aggressive and agitated. Following due process, the cabin crew alerted the captain regarding the male's behavior. The crew continued to monitor the individual throughout the flight, and despite the initial agitation and verbal aggression, he eventually calmed down, and there was no need for any further intervention or flight diversion. The service continued on to Toronto and was able to land safely. Simple Flying reached out to WestJet for comment on the matter; however, an airline spokesperson could not immediately be reached. The Male Passenger Eventually Calmed Down, And The Flight Continued To Toronto Credit: Habanero Pixel | Shutterstock On Sunday, WestJet flight 2555 had departed from Cancun at 9:12 PM, a fraction behind its scheduled departure time of 9:05 PM. The service, which took just short of four hours, arrived in Toronto in the early morning of Monday, October 26, landing at 2:01 AM. It remains unclear whether the male passenger was met by authorities on arrival in Toronto. Data from Simple Flying's Flight Tracker identifies the aircraft operating the flight as C-FRYV. WestJet maintains an extensive network of year-round and seasonal flights to Cancun and would be one of the largest international operators at the airport by destinations served. A full list of the airline's services to Cancun is below, as per the carrier's website: Year-Round Services From Canada To Cancun Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal–Trudeau, Québec City, Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver, Winnipeg Seasonal Services From Canada To Cancun Bagotville, Deer Lake, Fredericton, Halifax, Hamilton, Kelowna, Kitchener/Waterloo, London, Moncton, Ottawa, Regina, St. John's, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay, Victoria, Windsor Mexico remains a popular destination for Canadian travelers, especially during the cooler winter months when Canada is blanketed in snow. Canadians flock south to escape the winter for vacations in warmer, tropical temperatures. How To Get A Seat Upgrade On WestJet Credit: Aviation Photo Crew | Shutterstock WestJet does not offer a system where you are able to purchase a seat or cabin upgrade once you are onboard. Passengers can, however, bid for a Premium or Business class seat upgrade after booking, and up until 54 hours before departure. Should your bid be successful, you will be notified by email and your form of payment charged for the winning bid. At online check-in, you may be able to find additional Business or Premium cabin seats available for purchase; this is possible from 24 hours before departure and subject to onboard availability. After online check-in, you can bid for the chance to get a last-minute upgrade to Business or Premium up to 24 hours prior to departure, through the online real-time auction available on the airline's website.