WestJet Airlines Ltd. is a
CanadianCanada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
low-cost carrierA low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services...
based in
CalgaryCalgary is the largest city in the Province of Alberta, Canada.The Calgary census metropolitan area is the third most diverse in Canada in terms of visible minorities after Toronto and Vancouver when considering only CMAs with population greater than 200,000...
,
AlbertaAlberta is one of Canada's prairie provinces. It became a province on September 1, 1905.Alberta is located in western Canada, bounded by the provinces of British Columbia to the west and Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Territories to the north, and the U.S. state of Montana to the south....
that flies within Canada and to the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
,
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and the
CaribbeanThe Caribbean is a region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands , and the surrounding coasts...
. WestJet is the second largest Canadian carrier behind
Air CanadaAir Canada is Canada's largest airline and flag carrier. The airline, founded in 1936, provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to 96 destinations worldwide. Its largest hub is Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario. Its main base is Montreal-Pierre...
. WestJet is a rarity in the airline industry in that it is non-unionized.
Profit-sharingProfit sharing, when used as a special term, refers to various incentive plans introduced by businesses that provide direct or indirect payments to employees that depend on company's profitability in addition to employees' regular salary and bonuses...
is credited for this fact. WestJet plans to be one of the world's top five most profitable international airlines, by 2016.
WestJet is a public company with over 7,500 employees and 1.2 billion USD market capitalization.
History
Founded on February 29, 1996 by
Clive BeddoeClive Beddoe is a founding shareholder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of WestJet Airlines. As a pilot himself, it was his interest in aircraft that helped form WestJet. Clive first started flying gliders at Epsom College in England during his teenage years...
,
David NeelemanDavid G. Neeleman is the founder and former CEO of JetBlue Airways and also founder of Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras....
, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan and Donald Bell, WestJet aimed to follow the same path as
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
and
Morris AirMorris Air was a low-fare airline based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. It began operations in 1992. It was sold to Southwest Airlines in December 1993 for over $130 million. The airline officially became part of Southwest in Summer 1994.-History:...
, as a low-cost carrier. The airline was originally intended to operate solely in
western CanadaWestern Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada generally including all parts of Canada west of the province of Ontario. The West is considered by many to be a cultural region with an identity separate from that of the rest of Canada...
, hence its name.
First Flights
On February 29, 1996, the first WestJet flight (a
Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has nine variants with the -600, -700, -800 and -900 currently in production.Originally envisioned in...
) departed. At that time, the airline served
CalgaryCalgary is the largest city in the Province of Alberta, Canada.The Calgary census metropolitan area is the third most diverse in Canada in terms of visible minorities after Toronto and Vancouver when considering only CMAs with population greater than 200,000...
(the airline's home city and headquarters),
EdmontonEdmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta. The city is located on the North Saskatchewan River in the central region of the province, an area with some of the most fertile farmland on the prairies...
,
KelownaKelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a native term for "grizzly bear"...
,
VancouverVancouver is a coastal city and major seaport located in the Lower Mainland of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The city is bounded by English Bay, Burrard Inlet, the Fraser River, the city of Burnaby, and the University Endowment Lands. Vancouver is named after Captain George Vancouver, a...
, and
WinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, in south central Canada, near the eastern edge of the Canadian Prairies, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers...
with a fleet of three Boeing 737-200 aircraft and two-hundred twenty employees. By the end of that same year, they had included
ReginaRegina is the capital of Saskatchewan, Canada. The city is the second largest in the province , and is a cultural and commercial metropole for both southern Saskatchewan and adjacent areas in the neighbouring American states of North Dakota and Montana...
,
SaskatoonSaskatoon is a city located in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians....
, and
VictoriaVictoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is a major tourism destination seeing more than 3.65 million visitors a year who inject more than one billion dollars into the local economy. Victoria is a cruise ship port where...
. In 1997, service to
AbbotsfordAbbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, adjacent to Metro Vancouver. It is the 5th largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area is the 23rd largest in Canada, with 159,020 people...
was added. 1997 also marked the one millionth passenger carried by the airline.
In early 1999, Beddoe stepped down as WestJet's CEO and was replaced by former
Air OntarioAir Ontario Inc. was a Canadian airline now part of Air Canada Jazz. It was headquartered in London, Ontario.- History :Air Ontario Inc. was established in June 1987, with the merger of Austin Airways, Canada’s oldest airline, which began service in 1934, and Air Ontario Ltd...
executive Steve Smith. In July 1999, WestJet made its
initial public offeringAn initial public stock offering referred to simply as an "offering" or "flotation," is when a company issues common stock or shares to the public for the first time...
of stock at 1.5 million shares, opening at $10 per share. The same year, the cities of
Thunder Bay-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of two places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
,
Grande PrairieGrande Prairie is the main city in the northwestern part of the province of Alberta in Western Canada. It is located on the southern edge of the Peace River Country...
, and
Prince GeorgePrince George, with a population of 70,981 , is the largest city in northern British Columbia and is known as "BC's Northern Capital"...
were added to WestJet's route map.
Expansion
In 2000, WestJet CEO Steve Smith was released from WestJet after 18 months in the position, apparently due to differences about management style; Smith went on to head rival Air Canada's low-cost subsidiary
ZipZip was a Canadian discount airline based in Calgary, Alberta, launched by Air Canada as a no-frills subsidiary in September 2002. It operated a fleet of 12 Boeing 737 aircraft, each painted in a different bright, neon colour with a single class of service. The subsidiary was headed by former...
. After Smith's departure, Clive Beddoe again became CEO of the company, a position he held until July 2007.
Due to restructuring in the Canadian airline industry resulting from the takeover of
Canadian AirlinesCanadian Airlines International Ltd. was, from 1987 until 2001 , Canada's second largest airline after Air Canada, carrying more than 11.9 million passengers to over 160 destinations in 17 countries on five continents at its height in 1996...
by Air Canada the same year, WestJet expanded into
eastern CanadaEastern Canada is generally considered to be the region of Canada east of Manitoba, consisting of the following provinces:* New Brunswick* Newfoundland and Labrador* Nova Scotia* Ontario* Prince Edward Island* Quebec...
, starting service to the cities of
HamiltonHamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
and
OttawaOttawa is the capital of Canada and a municipality within the Province of Ontario. Located in the Ottawa Valley in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario, the city lies on the southern banks of the Ottawa River, a major waterway forming the local boundary between the Provinces of Ontario and...
, both in Ontario, as well as
Moncton, New BrunswickMoncton is a Canadian city located in Westmorland County, New Brunswick. The city is situated in southeastern New Brunswick, within the Petitcodiac River Valley, and lies at the geographic centre of the Maritime Provinces...
. The airline selected Hamilton to be the focus of the airline's eastern Canadian operations and its main connection point in eastern Canada.
In 2001, expansion continued to include
Fort McMurrayFort McMurray is a community within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta. It was a city between 1980 and April 1, 1995, when it was merged with Improvement District No. 18, creating the municipality of Wood Buffalo...
and
ComoxComox is a town located on the eastern side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia in the Comox Valley. Comox has a population of approximately 12,200 people and is home to the Canadian air force base CFB Comox and HMCS Quadra Sea Cadet training facility....
. WestJet also added
Sault Ste. MarieSault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. Residents of the city are called Saultites...
, Sudbury,
ThompsonThompson is a city in northern Manitoba. As the "Hub of the North" it serves as the regional trade and service centre of northern Manitoba. Thompson is located north of the Canada – United States border, north of the provincial capital of Winnipeg, and is Northeast of Flin Flon...
and
BrandonBrandon is a city in southwestern Manitoba, Canada.The surrounding area is often referred to as "Westman".The city started as a major junction on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and the Assiniboine River and was then incorporated in 1882....
, although service to these four cities was subsequently withdrawn. In 2002, the airline added two new eastern Canadian destinations: the cities of
LondonLondon is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor with a metropolitan area population of 457,720; the city proper had a population of 352,395 in the 2006 Canadian census....
and
TorontoToronto is the most populous city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. With over 2.5 million residents, it is the fifth most populous municipality in North America...
. In April 2003, WestJet added
WindsorWindsor is the southernmost major city in Canada and lies in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, although administratively separated from the county government. Windsor is located south of Detroit, is separated...
,
MontrealMontreal is the second-largest city in Canada and the largest city in the province of Quebec. Originally called Ville-Marie , the city takes its present name from Mont-Royal, the triple-peaked hill located in the heart of the city, whose name was also initially given to the island on which the...
, Halifax,
St. John'sSt. John's is the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. St...
, and
GanderGander is a Canadian town located in northeastern part of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately south of Gander Bay, south of Twillingate and east of Grand Falls-Windsor...
.
WestJet entered into a two-year agreement with
Air TransatAir Transat A.T. Inc. is an airline based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, operating scheduled and charter flights and serving 90 destinations in 25 countries. The airline is owned and operated by Transat A.T. During the summer season its main destinations are Europe and domestic flights within Canada...
in August 2003 whereby WestJet 737 aircraft would be filled by Transat's two main tour operators, World of Vacations and Air Transat Holidays. The planes were operated by WestJet crews. The agreement between WestJet and Air Transat was amicably terminated in February, 2009.
Legal troubles
In 2004, the airline was accused by rival Air Canada of
espionageIndustrial espionage or corporate espionage is espionage conducted for commercial purposes instead of national security purposes.The term is distinct from legal and ethical activities such as examining corporate publications, websites, patent filings, and the like to determine the activities of a...
, specifically accessing Air Canada
confidential informationA trade secret is a formula, practice, process, design, instrument, pattern, or compilation of information which is not generally known or reasonably ascertainable, by which a business can obtain an economic advantage over competitors or customers...
via a private website in order to gain a business advantage, and sued in Ontario Superior Court. On May 29, 2006, the two companies issued a joint
press releaseA news release, media release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. Typically, they are mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to assignment editors at newspapers,...
, with WestJet admitting to the charges leveled by Air Canada. WestJet agreed to pay $5.5 million dollars in legal and investigation fees to Air Canada, and to donate $10 million to various children's charities in the name of Air Canada and WestJet.
Expansion to the US, Caribbean and Mexico
In January 2004, WestJet announced that it was moving the focus of its eastern operation from Hamilton to Toronto the following April, fully moving into the lucrative Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal triangle and tripling the total number of its flights out of Toronto Pearson International Airport.
In 2004, a number of
U.S.The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
destinations were added or announced. These included San Francisco,
Los AngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the municipality of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123.445 inhabitants...
,
PhoenixPhoenix is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the fifth most populous city in the United States...
,
TampaTampa is a Gulf Coast city in Hillsborough County, on the west coast of the state of Florida in the United States. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. The population of Tampa in 2000 was 303,447...
,
Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, along the Atlantic Ocean. It is the county seat of Broward County. According to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 183,606...
,
OrlandoOrlando is a major city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan region...
, and New York City.
Palm SpringsPalm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, approximately 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 42,807. Golf, swimming, tennis, horseback riding and hiking in the nearby desert and mountain areas are...
was added in early 2005 to the company's list of destinations, as was San Diego, while
New York-LaGuardiaLaGuardia Airport is an airport located in Queens County on Long Island in the the City of New York. The airport is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst. The airport was originally named Glenn H...
was dropped. In April 2005, they announced new seasonal service to
CharlottetownCharlottetown is a Canadian city and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island. Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885...
but ceased service to Gander. In June 2005, the airline announced it was ceasing service to Windsor, effective October 30, 2005, shifting capacity to nearby London. In fall 2005,
Ft. MyersFort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 48,208 in the 2000 census. According to 2008 estimates, the population is 68,689....
and
Las VegasLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, fine dining, and entertainment. Las Vegas, which bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for the number of...
were added to the growing list of destinations.
After rumours and speculation surrounding the implementation of
extended-range twin-engine operationsETOPS is an acronym for Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards, an International Civil Aviation Organization rule permitting twin-engined commercial air transporters to fly routes that, at some points, are farther than a distance of 60 minutes' flying time from an emergency...
(ETOPS), WestJet announced new service to the
Hawaiian IslandsHawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states, and is the only state made up entirely of islands. It is located on an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of Australia. The state was admitted to the Union on August...
from Vancouver on September 20, 2005. In December 2005, the airline began flying from Vancouver to Honolulu and
MauiThe island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles and is the United States' 17th largest island. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai...
.
In 2006, WestJet announced that it was dropping its service to San Francisco and San Diego. WestJet's first scheduled service outside Canada and the United States began in 2006 with service to
Nassau, BahamasNassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 260,000 , nearly 80 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
. This was considered a huge milestone within the company's long-term destination strategy and was a vital goal for future international market presence.
In September 2006,
Sean DurfySean Durfy, businessman, born Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada, is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of WestJet responsible for the day-to-day operations of Canada's second largest airline....
took over as President of WestJet from founder Clive Beddoe.
On October 26, 2006, WestJet announced that it had its best quarterly profit to date, of C$52.8 million.
Continued growth
In 2007, WestJet announced that they would begin flights from
Deer Lake Regional AirportDeer Lake Regional Airport is located north northeast of Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is currently run by the Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority.-Airlines and destinations:-External links:*...
in Newfoundland,
Saint JohnSaint John is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the oldest incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 68,043...
in New Brunswick, and
Kitchener-WaterlooKitchener-Waterloo is an unofficial but ubiquitous name for the area in Southern Ontario, Canada, consisting of the twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, approximately 100 kilometres west of Toronto. The two cities grew into each other decades ago and their boundary cuts through streets,...
in Ontario. In June 2007, WestJet added seven new international seasonal flights to
Saint LuciaSaint Lucia is an island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. Its size is 620 km² with an...
,
JamaicaJamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width, amounting to 11,100 km
2. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harboring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, the
Dominican RepublicThe Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are occupied by two countries...
,
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
as well as a third Hawaiian destination;
KonaKONA may refer to:* Kona Bicycle Company* KONA , a radio station licensed to Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, Washington, United States* KONA-FM, a radio station licensed to Kennewick, Washington, United States...
.
The same year, WestJet commissioned the construction of a new six-storey head office building, next to their existing hangar facility at the Calgary International Airport. The building was constructed following the
Leadership in Energy and Environmental DesignThe Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council , provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction...
(LEED)
Green BuildingA sustainable building, or green building is an outcome of a design philosophy which focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource use — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle, through better siting,...
Rating System, featuring a rainwater retention system and geothermal heating. The first employees moved in during the first quarter of 2009, and the building officially opened the following May.
In May 2008, WestJet launched daily non-stop service to Quebec City. The next month, WestJet commenced seasonal service between
CalgaryCalgary is the largest city in the Province of Alberta, Canada.The Calgary census metropolitan area is the third most diverse in Canada in terms of visible minorities after Toronto and Vancouver when considering only CMAs with population greater than 200,000...
and
New York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
via
Newark Liberty International AirportNewark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
. In May 2009, the airline launched new seasonal service to the cities of Yellowknife,
Northwest TerritoriesThe Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada....
and
Sydney, Nova ScotiaSydney is a Canadian urban community in the province of Nova Scotia. It is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island and is administratively part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality....
. In June 2009, service was relaunched to San Diego and San Francisco.
In the past ten years, WestJet has made significant gains in domestic
market shareMarket share, in strategic management and marketing is, according to Carlton O'Neal, the percentage or proportion of the total available market or market segment that is being serviced by a company. It can be expressed as a company's sales revenue divided by the total sales revenue available in...
against Air Canada. In 2000 it held only 7% to Air Canada's 77%, though by 2009 WestJet has risen to 36%, against Air Canada's 57%.
In late April 2009, WestJet announced temporary suspensions of service to several of its Mexico destinations due to the outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) in the country, effective in early May the same year.
In July 2009, WestJet announced 11 new destinations; Atlantic City, Kauai, Miami, Providenciales, St. Maarten, Varadero, Holguin, Cayo Coco, Ixtapa, Cozumel and Freeport.
Future
Agreements with KLM and
Air FranceAir France is a French airline headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, France , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
for travel to Europe are set to come into effect in 2009. KLM currently has service to three of WestJet's focus cities (Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver) and Montreal, while Air France has service to one focus city (Toronto) and Montreal as well.
In the latter part of 2010, WestJet plans to implement its extensive codeshare agreement with
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
, allowing for expanded travel within the United States.
WestJet will also introduce their own frequent flyer program with the Royal Bank of Canada and Mastercard in the fall of 2009, to better compete with
Air CanadaAir Canada is Canada's largest airline and flag carrier. The airline, founded in 1936, provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to 96 destinations worldwide. Its largest hub is Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario. Its main base is Montreal-Pierre...
.
Destinations
WestJet currently flies to 66 destinations throughout North America, including 30 cities in Canada and 17 in the United States.
WestJet's largest focus city, in terms of daily departures, is its home base at
Calgary International AirportCalgary International Airport, , is an international airport that serves Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the surrounding region; it is situated approximately northeast of the downtown core. The airport offers scheduled daily nonstop flights to major cities in Canada, Europe and the United States...
, with
Toronto Pearson International AirportToronto Pearson International Airport, also known as Lester B. Pearson International Airport or simply Toronto Pearson , is a major international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is situated northwest of Downtown Toronto in the city of Mississauga, Ontario...
being the airline's second-largest focus city, and main connection point in eastern Canada. The airline also has a strong presence at
Edmonton International AirportEdmonton International Airport is the primary air passenger and air cargo facility in Edmonton, Alberta, as well as a major hub facility for Northern Alberta and Northern Canada. It is Canada's largest airport , 5th busiest airport by passenger traffic, and the 14th busiest by aircraft movements...
,
Vancouver International AirportVancouver International Airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about from Downtown Vancouver. In 2008 it was the second busiest airport in Canada by aircraft movements and passengers , behind Toronto Pearson International Airport, with non-stop flights daily to...
and Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.
WestJet also serves 13 destinations in the Caribbean and six in Mexico, some on a seasonal basis.
| WestJet Destinations |
| Province\State\Country |
City |
Airport |
CanadaCanada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
|
| Alberta |
CalgaryCalgary is the largest city in the Province of Alberta, Canada.The Calgary census metropolitan area is the third most diverse in Canada in terms of visible minorities after Toronto and Vancouver when considering only CMAs with population greater than 200,000...
|
Calgary International AirportCalgary International Airport, , is an international airport that serves Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the surrounding region; it is situated approximately northeast of the downtown core. The airport offers scheduled daily nonstop flights to major cities in Canada, Europe and the United States...
|
EdmontonEdmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta. The city is located on the North Saskatchewan River in the central region of the province, an area with some of the most fertile farmland on the prairies...
|
Edmonton International Airport Edmonton International Airport is the primary air passenger and air cargo facility in Edmonton, Alberta, as well as a major hub facility for Northern Alberta and Northern Canada. It is Canada's largest airport , 5th busiest airport by passenger traffic, and the 14th busiest by aircraft movements...
|
Fort McMurrayFort McMurray is a community within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta. It was a city between 1980 and April 1, 1995, when it was merged with Improvement District No. 18, creating the municipality of Wood Buffalo...
|
Fort McMurray Airport Fort McMurray Airport is located southeast of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. It has seen a rise in business over the last 10 years due to an economic boom in the Athabasca Oil Sands, which are north of Fort McMurray. Now the fifth largest city in Alberta, the population of Fort McMurray has...
|
Grande PrairieGrande Prairie is the main city in the northwestern part of the province of Alberta in Western Canada. It is located on the southern edge of the Peace River Country...
|
Grande Prairie Airport Grande Prairie Airport is located west northwest of Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. It is the largest airport in the Peace River Country of northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia, having served 330,009 passengers in 2006, and having 344,755 passengers through its gates in 2007...
|
| British Columbia |
AbbotsfordAbbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, adjacent to Metro Vancouver. It is the 5th largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area is the 23rd largest in Canada, with 159,020 people...
|
Abbotsford International AirportAbbotsford International Airport is located in the City of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, southwest of the city centre.The airport is classified as an airport of entry by NAV CANADA and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency...
|
| Comox Comox is a town located on the eastern side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia in the Comox Valley. Comox has a population of approximately 12,200 people and is home to the Canadian air force base CFB Comox and HMCS Quadra Sea Cadet training facility....
|
Comox Airport |
| Kamloops |
Kamloops Airport Kamloops Airport is a semi-international airport located in the Brocklehurst area of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada and is located west northwest of the town. It is owned and operated by Kamloops Airport Ltd. and YVRAS . In 2007, YKA served around 200,611 passengers and, in 2008, had 37,854...
|
KelownaKelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a native term for "grizzly bear"...
|
Kelowna International Airport Kelowna International Airport is a Canadian airport located approximately 10 minutes or northeast of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, on Highway 97....
|
Prince GeorgePrince George, with a population of 70,981 , is the largest city in northern British Columbia and is known as "BC's Northern Capital"...
|
Prince George Airport Prince George Airport is an airport that serves Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, and the surrounding area. It is located just within the southern boundary of the city, southeast, and is run by the Prince George Airport Authority....
|
VancouverVancouver is a coastal city and major seaport located in the Lower Mainland of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The city is bounded by English Bay, Burrard Inlet, the Fraser River, the city of Burnaby, and the University Endowment Lands. Vancouver is named after Captain George Vancouver, a...
|
Vancouver International AirportVancouver International Airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about from Downtown Vancouver. In 2008 it was the second busiest airport in Canada by aircraft movements and passengers , behind Toronto Pearson International Airport, with non-stop flights daily to...
|
VictoriaVictoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is a major tourism destination seeing more than 3.65 million visitors a year who inject more than one billion dollars into the local economy. Victoria is a cruise ship port where...
|
Victoria International AirportVictoria International Airport serves Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is north northwest of the city, in North Saanich, quite close to the town of Sidney on the Saanich Peninsula...
|
| Manitoba |
WinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, in south central Canada, near the eastern edge of the Canadian Prairies, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers...
|
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport |
| New Brunswick |
Moncton |
Greater Moncton International AirportGreater Moncton International Airport or Moncton/Greater Moncton International Airport is located east northeast from downtown Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada in the neighbouring city of Dieppe....
|
Saint JohnSaint John is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the oldest incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 68,043...
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Saint John Airport Saint John Airport is an airport located east northeast of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.Part of the National Airports System, it is owned by Transport Canada and operated by Saint John Airport Inc....
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| Newfoundland and Labrador |
Deer Lake Deer Lake is a Canadian town in the western part of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.The town derives its name from Deer Lake and is situated at the outlet of the upper Humber River at the northeastern end of the lake....
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Deer Lake Airport Deer Lake Regional Airport is located north northeast of Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is currently run by the Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority.-Airlines and destinations:-External links:*...
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St. John'sSt. John's is the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. St...
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St. John's International AirportSt. John's International Airport is located northwest of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The airport is part of the National Airports System, and is operated by St...
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| Northwest Territories |
Yellowknife |
Yellowknife Airport Yellowknife Airport is located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airport is part of the National Airports System, and is operated by the government of the Northwest Territories. The airport has regular scheduled passenger service, and is also used as a forward operating base for...
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| Nova Scotia |
Halifax |
Halifax Stanfield International Airport |
SydneySydney is a Canadian urban community in the province of Nova Scotia. It is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island and is administratively part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality....
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J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport, , is located within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, east northeast of Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, in the community of Reserve Mines....
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| Ontario |
HamiltonHamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
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John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport |
| Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener-Waterloo is an unofficial but ubiquitous name for the area in Southern Ontario, Canada, consisting of the twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, approximately 100 kilometres west of Toronto. The two cities grew into each other decades ago and their boundary cuts through streets,...
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Region of Waterloo International AirportRegion of Waterloo International Airport or Kitchener/Waterloo Airport is situated near Breslau, in Woolwich Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada....
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| London London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor with a metropolitan area population of 457,720; the city proper had a population of 352,395 in the 2006 Canadian census....
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London International AirportLondon International Airport or London Airport, , is located northeast of the city of London, Ontario, Canada.In 2007, the airport handled 449,745 passengers, and was the 10th busiest in Canada in terms of aircraft movements, with 164,667. Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Mesaba Airlines, SkyWest...
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OttawaOttawa is the capital of Canada and a municipality within the Province of Ontario. Located in the Ottawa Valley in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario, the city lies on the southern banks of the Ottawa River, a major waterway forming the local boundary between the Provinces of Ontario and...
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Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport or Macdonald-Cartier International Airport , in Ottawa Ontario, Canada is named after Sirs John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier...
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| Thunder Bay -In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of two places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
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Thunder Bay International Airport Thunder Bay Airport or Thunder Bay International Airport, , is an airport in the Canadian city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. With 96,369 aircraft movements in 2008 it was the 6th busiest airport in Ontario and the 22nd busiest airport in Canada...
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TorontoToronto is the most populous city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. With over 2.5 million residents, it is the fifth most populous municipality in North America...
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Toronto Pearson International AirportToronto Pearson International Airport, also known as Lester B. Pearson International Airport or simply Toronto Pearson , is a major international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is situated northwest of Downtown Toronto in the city of Mississauga, Ontario...
|
| Prince Edward Island |
CharlottetownCharlottetown is a Canadian city and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island. Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885...
|
Charlottetown Airport Charlottetown Airport, , is located north of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The airport is currently run by the Charlottetown Airport Authority, is owned by Transport Canada and forms part of the National Airports System....
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| Quebec |
MontrealMontreal is the second-largest city in Canada and the largest city in the province of Quebec. Originally called Ville-Marie , the city takes its present name from Mont-Royal, the triple-peaked hill located in the heart of the city, whose name was also initially given to the island on which the...
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Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International AirportMontréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport or Montréal-Trudeau, formerly known as Montréal-Dorval International Airport, is located in the city of Dorval, on the Island of Montréal, from Montréal's downtown core...
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Quebec CityQuébec , is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in the province – after Montreal, about to the southwest...
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Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, also known as Jean Lesage International Airport was established in 1939, a year after the closure of the Aérodrome Saint-Louis. It is located west southwest of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada...
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| Saskatchewan |
ReginaRegina is the capital of Saskatchewan, Canada. The city is the second largest in the province , and is a cultural and commercial metropole for both southern Saskatchewan and adjacent areas in the neighbouring American states of North Dakota and Montana...
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Regina International AirportRegina International Airport is an international airport located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, located south-west and west south-west of the city centre. It is run by the Regina Airport Authority. It is, as of 2007, the second busiest airport in Saskatchewan Regina International Airport is an...
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SaskatoonSaskatoon is a city located in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians....
|
Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport |
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
| Arizona |
PhoenixPhoenix is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the fifth most populous city in the United States...
|
Sky Harbor International Airport |
| California |
Los Angeles Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the municipality of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123.445 inhabitants...
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Los Angeles International Airport Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving Los Angeles, California, the second-most populated metropolitan area of the United States. It is often referred to by its airport code LAX, with the letters usually pronounced individually...
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Palm SpringsPalm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, approximately 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 42,807. Golf, swimming, tennis, horseback riding and hiking in the nearby desert and mountain areas are...
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Palm Springs International Airport Palm Springs International Airport is a public airport located two miles east of the central business district of Palm Springs, California, serving the Inland Empire Metropolitan Area of Southern California. The airport covers and has two runways...
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| San Diego |
San Diego International Airport San Diego International Airport , also known as Lindbergh Field, is a public airport located northwest of the central business district of San Diego, California and also from the Mexico – United States border at Tijuana, Mexico...
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| San Francisco |
San Francisco International AirportSan Francisco International Airport is a major international airport located south of downtown San Francisco, California, United States, adjacent to the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County. It is often referred to as SFO...
|
| Florida |
Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, along the Atlantic Ocean. It is the county seat of Broward County. According to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 183,606...
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Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport is an international commercial airport located in Dania Beach, three miles southwest of the central business district of Fort Lauderdale, a city in Broward County, Florida, United States...
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| Fort Myers Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 48,208 in the 2000 census. According to 2008 estimates, the population is 68,689....
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Southwest Florida International AirportSouthwest Florida International Airport is a public county-owned airport located in the South Fort Myers region of unincorporated Lee County, Florida, United States. The airport's service market is Southwest Florida, particularly greater Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Bonita Springs...
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| Miami Miami is a major coastal city in southeastern Florida, in the United States. Miami is the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida. With an estimated population of 424,662 in 2007, Miami is the largest city within the Miami metropolitan area, which is the...
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Miami International AirportMiami International Airport , also known as Wilcox Field, is the primary airport serving the Miami Metropolitan Area. The airport is located eight miles northwest of the central business district of Miami, in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States...
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OrlandoOrlando is a major city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan region...
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Orlando International Airport Orlando International Airport is a major international airport located six nautical miles southeast of the central business district of Orlando, a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is the busiest airport in the state of Florida....
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TampaTampa is a Gulf Coast city in Hillsborough County, on the west coast of the state of Florida in the United States. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. The population of Tampa in 2000 was 303,447...
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Tampa International AirportTampa International Airport is a major public airport located six nautical miles west of the central business district of Tampa, in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. This airport is publicly owned by Hillsborough County Aviation Authority...
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| Hawaii |
Honolulu |
Honolulu International AirportHonolulu International Airport is the principal aviation gateway of the City & County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii and is identified as one of the busiest airports in the United States, with traffic now exceeding 21 million passengers a year and rising.It is located in the Honolulu...
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Kahului, MauiThe island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles and is the United States' 17th largest island. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai...
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Kahului AirportKahului Airport is a regional airport in the State of Hawai'i, located east of the Kahului CDP in Maui County on the island of Maui near Haleakala...
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| Kona |
Kona International AirportKona International Airport at Keāhole is an airport on the Island of Hawaii, in Kalaoa CDP, Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. The airport serves leeward, or Western Hawaii island, including the town of Kailua-Kona and the major resorts of the North Kona and South Kohala districts.- Facilities...
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Lihue, KauaiKauai or Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago and the 21st largest island in the United States...
|
Lihue Airport |
| Nevada |
Las VegasLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, fine dining, and entertainment. Las Vegas, which bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for the number of...
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McCarran International AirportMcCarran International Airport is the principal commercial airport serving Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, United States. The airport is located five miles south of the central business district of Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise in Clark County. It covers an area of and...
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| New Jersey |
Atlantic City |
Atlantic City International Airport Atlantic City International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located nine miles northwest of the central business district of Atlantic City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey. Situated in Pomona near the Atlantic City Expressway, the airport is accessible via Exit 9 on the Expressway...
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NewarkBrick City redirects here. For the township in Ocean County, see Brick Township, New Jersey.Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, and the county seat of Essex County. Newark has a population of 281,402, making it the largest municipality in New Jersey and the 65th largest city in the U.S...
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Newark Liberty International Airport Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
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MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
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| Baja California Sur |
San José del Cabo The city San José del Cabo is located in Baja California Sur Mexico and is the seat of the municipality of Los Cabos at the south end of the Baja California peninsula. In the 2005 census it had a population of 48,518. Together with neighboring Cabo San Lucas it forms a major tourist destination for...
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Los Cabos International AirportLos Cabos International Airport is the sixth most important airport in Mexico, located at San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The airport serves Los Cabos area: San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. This airport has three terminals with 4 concourses...
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| Guerrero |
IxtapaIxtapa is a beach resort in the municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta, in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It is located 5 km to the northwest of the municipal seat, Zihuatanejo, and some 240 km northwest of Acapulco....
/ZihuatanejoZihuatanejo is the fourth-largest city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Politically it belongs to the municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta in the western part of Guerrero, but both are commonly referred to as Zihuatanejo...
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Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport is an international airport in the state of Guerrero on Mexico's Pacific Ocean coast. It receives thousands of tourists all year to visit beaches and resorts...
|
| Jalisco |
Puerto VallartaPuerto Vallarta is a Mexican resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas.The 2005 census reported Puerto Vallarta's population as 177,830 making it the fifth-largest city in the state of Jalisco...
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Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport is an international airport located at Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco in Mexico. Located at the Pacific Ocean coast, it receives thousands of tourists all year. It handled 2,978,400 passengers in 2006 and 3,139,100 passengers in 2007...
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| Sinaloa |
MazatlánMazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding municipio for which the city serves as the municipal seat is also called Mazatlán. It is located at on the Pacific coast, just across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula.Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning...
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General Rafael Buelna International AirportGeneral Rafael Buelna International Airport , also known as Mazatlán International Airport, is located in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico. This airport is the most important in Sinaloa for its international operations, and second to Culiacan International Airport for its domestic operations. It has one...
|
| Quintana Roo |
CancúnCancún is a coastal city in Mexico's easternmost state, Quintana Roo, on the Yucatán Peninsula. Cancún is located on the Yucatan Channel that separates Mexico from the island of Cuba in the Greater Antilles....
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Cancún International AirportCancún International Airport is located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It is Mexico's second busiest airport, after Mexico City International Airport in Mexico City....
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CozumelCozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, opposite the Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel. It is one of the nine municipalities of the state of Quintana Roo...
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Cozumel International Airport Cozumel International Airport Is an international airport located in the island of Cozumel, Quintana Roo located at the Caribbean coast near Cancún, it receives thousands of tourists all year...
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| Caribbean The Caribbean is a region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands , and the surrounding coasts...
|
| Bahamas |
FreeportFreeport is a city and free trade zone on the island of Grand Bahama, located approximately east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is a district of the Bahamas....
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Grand Bahama International Airport Grand Bahama International Airport is a private airport located in Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama in the Bahamas. Grand Bahama International Airport is one of two Bahamian Airports that has US Border Pre-clearance facilities. The airport has the longest runway in the Bahamas and can...
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NassauNassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 260,000 , nearly 80 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
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Lynden Pindling International Airport Lynden Pindling International Airport , formerly known as Nassau International Airport, is the largest airport in The Bahamas, and the largest international gateway into the country....
|
| Barbados |
BridgetownThe City of Bridgetown, metropolitan pop 96,578 , is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. Formerly, the Town of Saint Michael the Greater Bridgetown area is located within the parish of Saint Michael, Locally Bridgetown is sometimes referred to as "The City", but the most common...
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Grantley Adams International Airport The Grantley Adams International Airport , is found in Seawell, Christ Church on the island of Barbados. The former name of the airport was Seawell Airport before being dedicated in honor of the first Premier of Barbados, Sir Grantley Herbert Adams in 1976.The Grantley Adams Airport has direct...
|
| Cuba |
Cayo CocoCayo Coco is an island in central Cuba, well known for its luxury all inclusive resorts. It lies within the Ciego de Ávila Province and is part of a chain of islands called Jardines del Rey . The cay is administered by the Morón municipality...
|
Jardines del Rey Airport |
HolguínHolguín is a municipality and city, the capital of the Cuban Province of Holguín.-History:It was founded as San Isidoro de Holguín in 1545, and it is named after its founder Captain García de Holguín, a Spanish military officer...
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Frank País Airport Frank País Airport is an international airport that serves the city of Holguín in Cuba.-Airlines and destinations :* Aerocaribbean * Air Canada...
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VaraderoVaradero is a resort town in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, and one of the largest resort areas in the Caribbean. Varadero is also called Playa Azul, which means "blue beach" in Spanish.-Geography:...
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Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport is an international airport serving Varadero, Cuba and the province of Matanzas. Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport is the second busiest airport in Cuba after José Martí International Airport in Havana.-Airlines and destinations:...
|
| Dominican Republic |
La Romana |
La Romana International Airport La Romana International Airport is located on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, adjacent to the tourist town of La Romana and the resort of Casa de Campo. The airport, which opened in December 2000, is about 68 miles from the capital, Santo Domingo...
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Puerto PlataSan Felipe de Puerto Plata, often referred to as simply Puerto Plata, is the capital of the Dominican province Puerto Plata.The city is famous for resorts such as Playa Dorada and Costa Dorada, located east of San Felipe de Puerto Plata. There are a total of 100,000 hotel beds in the city.The only...
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Gregorio Luperón International AirportGregorio Luperón International Airport , also known as Puerto Plata Airport, is located in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Having served 1,222,393 passengers in 2008, it is Dominican Republic's third busiest airport, after Punta Cana International Airport in Punta Cana and Las Américas...
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Punta CanaPunta Cana is part of the newly Punta Cana-Bavaro-Veron-Macao municipal district in La Altagracia, the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. The area is best known for its beaches, which face both the Caribbean and Atlantic Seas, and it has been a popular tourist destination since the 70s...
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Punta Cana International AirportPunta Cana International Airport is a privately owned commercial airport in Punta Cana, eastern Dominican Republic. The airport is built in a traditional Dominican style with open-air terminals with their roofs covered in palm fronds. A number of scheduled and charter airlines fly to Punta Cana...
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| Jamaica |
Montego BayMontego Bay is the capital of St. James Parish and the second largest city in Jamaica by area and the third by population ....
|
Sangster International Airport |
| Netherlands Antilles |
Saint MartinSaint Martin is a tropical island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km east of Puerto Rico. The 87 km 2 island is divided roughly in half between France and the Netherlands Antilles ; it is the smallest inhabited sea island divided between two nations, a division...
/Sint MaartenThe Island Territory of Sint Maarten is one of five island areas of the Netherlands Antilles, encompassing the southern half of the island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten...
|
Princess Juliana International AirportPrincess Juliana International Airport serves the Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin. It is the third busiest airport in the Eastern Caribbean, after Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Las Americas International airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic....
|
| Saint Lucia |
Vieux-Fort |
Hewanorra International Airport Hewanorra International Airport , near Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, in the Caribbean, is the larger of the country's two airports and is managed by the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority ....
|
| Turks and Caicos Islands |
ProvidencialesProvidenciales is an island in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The island has an area of and a population of 30,542, making it the largest island in population and the third largest in area. It is served by the Providenciales International Airport...
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Providenciales International Airport Providenciales International Airport on the island of Providenciales is the main international airport serving the Turks and Caicos Islands, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. It is operated by Providenciales Airport Company...
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New routes
| New WestJet Routes |
| Route |
Start Date |
| TorontoMiami |
October 21 |
| TorontoAtlantic City |
October 22 |
| HamiltonPunta Cana |
November 1 |
| KelownaPuerto Vallarta |
November 1 |
| VictoriaPuerto Vallarta |
November 1 |
| TorontoSaint Martin/Sint Maarten |
November 1 |
| TorontoVaradero |
November 1 |
| VancouverKamloops |
November 1 |
| TorontoFreeport |
November 2 |
| TorontoHolguin |
November 2 |
| CalgaryIxtapa/Zihuatanejo |
November 3 |
| TorontoCayo Coco |
November 4 |
| TorontoProvidenciales |
November 4 |
| KelownaCabo San Lucas |
November 6 |
| OttawaMontego Bay |
November 6 |
| AbbotsfordPuerto Vallarta |
November 7 |
| ComoxPuerto Vallarta |
November 7 |
| HamiltonCancun |
November 7 |
| OttawaPunta Cana |
November 7 |
| Prince GeorgePuerto Vallarta |
November 7 |
| Thunder BayPunta Cana |
November 7 |
| VictoriaHonolulu |
November 7 |
| ReginaCancun |
December 6 |
| ReginaMazatlan |
December 7 |
| TorontoCancun |
December 7 |
| WinnipegCancun |
December 7 |
| ReginaPuerto Vallarta |
December 8 |
| VancouverPuerto Vallarta |
December 8 |
| MontrealCancun |
December 9 |
| ReginaCabo San Lucas |
December 9 |
| SaskatoonMazatlan |
December 10 |
| TorontoCozumel |
December 10 |
| SaskatoonPuerto Vallarta |
December 11 |
| KelownaCancun |
December 12 |
| SaskatoonCancun |
December 12 |
| VictoriaCancun |
December 12 |
| VancouverLihue/Kauai |
December 16 |
| MontrealLas Vegas |
December 17 |
| MonctonCancun |
January 9 |
| VancouverLos Angeles |
January 10 |
| VancouverPhoenix |
January 17 |
| EdmontonKahului |
March 5 |
| CalgaryKahului |
March 6 |
| CalgaryHonolulu |
March 7 |
Code-sharing agreements
In 1999, WestJet was in talks regarding a possible 'feeder' arrangement for Air Canada's network. These talks were apparently discontinued when Air Canada went forward with acquisition of Canadian Airlines the following year.
In August 2006, in a
Globe and MailThe Globe and Mail is a Canadian English language nationally distributed newspaper, based in Toronto and printed in six cities across the country. With a weekly readership of 935 000, it is Canada's largest-circulation national newspaper and second-largest daily newspaper after the Toronto Star and...
interview, Sean Durfy stated that WestJet was in talks with
OneworldOneworld is one of the world's three largest global airline alliances with its central management team, Oneworld Management Company, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Oneworld was founded in 1999 by American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Canadian Airlines and Qantas Airways...
, a code and route sharing alliance that includes many large worldwide airlines including
British AirwaysBritish Airways plc is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom. It is headquartered in Waterside near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport and is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations. Its second hub is London Gatwick...
and
American Airlines
. Durfy said that, if a deal with Oneworld were reached, it would allow WestJet to maintain its scheduling flexibility; Durfy was later quoted in 2007 saying that a deal for WestJet to join the Oneworld alliance was unlikely. Despite this, WestJet did formalize a deal with Oneworld in November 2008, to partner on sales of travel to corporate and business travelers. In the press release announcing the agreement, WestJet and Oneworld stressed that the airline was not joining the alliance.
In 2007, WestJet began a limited interline agreement with Taiwan-based
China AirlinesChina Airlines, Limited is the flag carrier of the Republic of China . The airline is not directly state-owned but is 54% owned by the China Aviation Development Foundation which is owned by the Republic of China...
, in part to test the company's capability to partner with other carriers. In 2008, WestJet announced partnerships and code-sharing agreements with
Air FranceAir France is a French airline headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, France , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
, KLM,
Mokulele AirlinesGo! Mokulele, formerly Mokulele Airlines, is an American independent commuter airline headquartered in Kalaoa CDP, Hawaii County, Hawaii. The airline operates scheduled inter-island and tour flights primarily among Hawaii's smaller airports, with services among the state's primary airports operated...
, and
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
.
In 2009 WestJet announced it was in talks with 70 airlines around the world interested in a code-sharing agreement. An expanded agreement with China Airlines is expected to be announced next, followed by
British AirwaysBritish Airways plc is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom. It is headquartered in Waterside near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport and is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations. Its second hub is London Gatwick...
and
Cathay PacificCathay Pacific Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its headquarters and main hub at Hong Kong International Airport. The airline also operates fifth freedom flights from Bangkok and Taipei, its major focus cities...
.
Fleet
The WestJet fleet consists of the following aircraft:
WestJet Fleet
| Aircraft |
Total |
Passengers |
Notes |
| Boeing 737-600 |
13 |
119 |
PTVs and leather seats |
| Boeing 737-700 |
58 |
136 |
PTVs and leather seats, Winglets |
| Boeing 737-800 |
10 |
166 |
PTVs and leather seats, Winglets |
The airline flies a fleet that consists exclusively of
Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has nine variants with the -600, -700, -800 and -900 currently in production.Originally envisioned in...
s, taking a cue from the successful single operating type model pioneered by
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
. The first 737-700 delivery took place in 2001, and the first deliveries of 737-600 and 737-800 aircraft began in 2005, with the final 737-600 aircraft delivered in September 2006. WestJet's future aircraft orders only consist of 737-700 and 737-800 models. WestJet plans to have a fleet of 111 aircraft by the end of 2013.
Boeing confirmed on August 2, 2007 that WestJet had placed an order for 20 Boeing 737NG. The order is primarily for B737-700 but with conversion rights to B737-800s.
WestJet was to be the Boeing launch customer for the 737-600
winglets, but announced in their Q2 2006 results that they were not going to move ahead with those plans. WestJet CEO Clive Beddoe cited the cost and time associated with their installation was not warranted as they are primarily used for short-haul routes. As a result of the abandonment of the program to install winglets on these aircraft, WestJet incurred a one-time charge of approximately $609,000.
Retired fleet
- Boeing 737-200 (1996-2006)
It was announced early in 2005 that the 737-200 fleet would be retired within the year, to be replaced by newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft. On July 12, 2005, WestJet announced that it had completed the sale of its remaining Boeing 737-200 to Miami-based Apollo Aviation Group (Apollo).
On January 9, 2006, the last Boeing 737-200 (Tail 748 C-FCWJ) was flown during a
fly-byFlypast is a term used in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and other countries to denote ceremonial or honorific flights by groups of aircraft and, rarely, by a single aircraft. Flypast is a term used in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and other countries to denote ceremonial or...
ceremony at the WestJet hangar in Calgary. (See External Links). The aircraft was flown by Don Bell. The last commercial revenue flight by a -200 was a
charter flightIn the context of mass tourism, charter flights have acquired the more specific meaning of a flight whose sole function is to transport holidaymakers to tourist destinations. Such charter flights are contrasted with scheduled flights, but they do in fact operate to regular, published schedules...
, Las Vegas to Calgary, arriving at 0130 January 9, 2006, flown by tail 741 (C-GWWJ).
In 2003, WestJet donated a 737-200 to the
British Columbia Institute of TechnologyThe British Columbia Institute of Technology is an institute of technology in Burnaby, British Columbia. It provides full- and part-time polytechnic education leading to certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees in technologies and trades. Dr. Don Wright joined BCIT as President in March, 2008...
(BCIT). Currently it is located in the BCIT Aerospace Campus beside the Vancouver International Airport.
In-flight service
In 2005, WestJet introduced
in-flight entertainmentIn-Flight entertainment refers to the entertainment available to aircraft passengers during a flight. At first, IFE consisted of looking out the window. In-Flight entertainment (IFE) refers to the entertainment available to aircraft passengers during a flight. At first, IFE consisted of looking...
from
LiveTVLiveTV is a major provider of airline in-flight entertainment systems. Originally a subsidiary of Thales Group, it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corporation....
on board its 737-700 and -800 fleet. The system utilizes the Bell TV satellite network, and channels include Global TV,
CTVCTV is a Canadian English language television network. It is Canada's largest privately owned network, the main television asset of CTVglobemedia, one of the country's largest media conglomerates...
,
CBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is an American television network, one of television's original "big three", which also include NBC and ABC. Like NBC, CBS started out as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System...
,
CitytvCitytv is a Canadian English language television system owned and operated by Rogers Communications, and is Canada's largest television system since Canwest's E! closed down on September 1, 2009...
,
Treehouse TVTreehouse TV is a Canadian English language cable television specialty channel with programming targeted towards preschoolers that was launched on November 1, 1997. Its name comes from YTV's old children's programming block, The Treehouse...
,
ABCThe American Broadcasting Company is an American television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. It first broadcast on television in 1948...
,
NBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices in Burbank,California...
,
CBCThe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation , a Canadian crown corporation, is the country’s national public radio and television broadcaster. In French, it is called la Société Radio-Canada...
,
TSNThe Sports Network, commonly abbrieviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language cable television specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the second group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
and a WestJet Channel, which shows a regional map with the aircraft's location, GPS derived altitude, and groundspeed. WestJet added LiveTV onto their 737-600 aircraft beginning in the 2007/2008 Winter season; every aircraft in their fleet is now equipped with the system.
WestJet includes a
buy on boardIn commercial flight, buy on board is a system where food and/or beverages are paid for on board; often food and/or beverages are not included in the ticket price for certain fare classes....
meal service program with sandwiches, alcoholic beverages, and some snacks for purchase. In some markets, the sandwiches offered onboard are made by local delis in the departure city (such as the Bread Garden in Vancouver, Spolumbo's in Calgary, and DiRienzo's in Ottawa). Some snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available for free.
WestJet is famous for its fun and friendly staff - or owners as its commercials state. For the past few years on April 1, WestJet has issued 'joke' press releases as part of April Fool's Day; such as everyone holding their arms out-stretched on takeoff or the introduction of 'sleeper cabins' in overhead bins
Livery
The WestJet planes are mostly white, except for the lettering on the cabins, the tail, and the metallic wings and
vertical stabilizerThe vertical stabilizers, or fins, of aircraft, missiles or bombs are typically found on the aft end of the fuselage or body, and are intended to reduce aerodynamic side slip....
s (tailfins).
The tail is divided into rough and slanted thirds, coloured (from back to front) navy blue, white, and teal. This pattern is used on the outside of the blended winglets at the end of the wings, while on the inside, the winglets are painted white with the words WestJet.com in black lettering.
WestJet Lounges
Beginning in 2006, WestJet began opening lounges in select Canadian airports. Many are operated by
ServisairServisair is an aircraft ground handling company, operating at 175 airports worldwide. In July 2007 the company merged with Penauille Polyservices and CFF Recycling to form the Derichebourg Group.-Operations:...
.
- Calgary International Airport
Calgary International Airport, , is an international airport that serves Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the surrounding region; it is situated approximately northeast of the downtown core. The airport offers scheduled daily nonstop flights to major cities in Canada, Europe and the United States...
(Transborder - Concourse C) - Rocky Mountain Lounge by Servisair
- Calgary International Airport
Calgary International Airport, , is an international airport that serves Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the surrounding region; it is situated approximately northeast of the downtown core. The airport offers scheduled daily nonstop flights to major cities in Canada, Europe and the United States...
(Domestic/International - Concourse D) - Chinook Lounge by Servisair
- Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport, also known as Lester B. Pearson International Airport or simply Toronto Pearson , is a major international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is situated northwest of Downtown Toronto in the city of Mississauga, Ontario...
(Terminal 3 Concourse C) Plaza Premium Lounge
- Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about from Downtown Vancouver. In 2008 it was the second busiest airport in Canada by aircraft movements and passengers , behind Toronto Pearson International Airport, with non-stop flights daily to...
(Domestic Terminal) Plaza Premium Lounge
- Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about from Downtown Vancouver. In 2008 it was the second busiest airport in Canada by aircraft movements and passengers , behind Toronto Pearson International Airport, with non-stop flights daily to...
(Transborder Terminal) Boardroom by Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines, is an airline based in SeaTac, Washington, United States, near Seattle. It operates four hubs located at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Portland International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport- History :The airline...
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (Domestic) by Palliser
Palliser Furniture is a family owned home furnishings manufacturer based in Canada. Palliser employs approximately 3,000 people in facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Indonesia....
Incidents and accidents
- On September 6 2007, a WestJet Boeing 737-700 aircraft en route to Halifax from Calgary encountered sudden turbulence just north of Sudbury, Ontario, causing a sharp drop which injured 9 passengers. The plane carried on to Halifax and landed without incident.
- On February 17 2008, a WestJet Boeing 737-700 aircraft over-ran runway 07 at Ottawa (YOW) and slid into a snowbank. No injuries were reported and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada , officially the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board is the agency of the Government of Canada responsible for maintaining...
is investigating the cause.
- on February 8 2009 , a Westjet Boeing 737-700, registration C-FZWS performing flight WS-6570 from Montreal Trudeau,QC (Canada) to Santo Domingo (Domincan Republic) with 139 people on board, encountered moderate clear air turbulence just when the airplane began its descent towards Santo Domingo. A flight attendant broke her ankle in the turbulence. The airplane landed without further incident.
- On October 4 2009 , a Westjet Boeing 737-800, registration C-GJWS performing flight WS-509 from Toronto Pearson,ON to Vancouver,BC (Canada) with 130 people on board,was en route at FL380 just before the top of descent, when the airplane experienced unexpected turbulence. A flight attendant was thrown to the floor and struck a metal bar protruding from the back of the left hand jump seat and was unable to continue duty. The crew continued for a safe landing on Vancouver's runway 26R.
Awards and recognitions
- In 2000, Clive Beddoe, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan and Donald Bell were given the Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services firms in the world and one of the Big Four auditors, along with PricewaterhouseCoopers , Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and KPMG...
company's Entrepreneur of the Year award in Canada for their contribution to the Canadian airline industryAn airline provides air transport services for passengers or freight, generally with a recognized operating certificate or license. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit.Airlines vary...
.
- In 2005, 2006 and 2007, WestJet was named Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture by Waterstone Human Capital in its annual survey of senior executives of Canada's largest companies.
- In October 2008, WestJet was named one of Alberta's Top Employers
Alberta's Top Employers is a competition that recognizes the best workplaces in Alberta. Published annually since October 2005, the designation recognizes the Alberta employers that lead their peers in providing exemplary employee benefits and forward-thinking human resource programs...
by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Calgary HeraldThe Calgary Herald is a daily newspaper published in the Canadian city of Calgary, Alberta.- History :The paper was first published on August 31 1883 by Andrew Armour and Thomas Braden as The Calgary Herald, Mining and Ranche Advocate and General Advertiser. It started as a weekly paper with only...
and the Edmonton JournalThe Edmonton Journal is a daily newspaper in Edmonton, Alberta. It is part of the CanWest News Service division of CanWest Global Communications.-History:...
.
- A 2009 poll by Léger Marketing
Leger Marketing is the largest solely Canadian owned polling and market research firm in Canada with 650 employees, including 103 professionals. Leger Marketing provides access to Canadian and American markets...
found that WestJet is Canada's preferred airline.
External links