Airline bolsters ambitious growth strategy with increased options for guests to travel across summer network
CALGARY, AB, March 6, 2023 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced significant increases to its summer schedule bringing more seats and additional flight frequencies to popular routes across its network. With nearly 600 daily departures during peak travel days, WestJet’s summer schedule enhancements will bring more opportunities for Canadians to travel seamlessly across the airline’s domestic, transborder and international network this summer.
“Providing our guests with even more opportunity to travel across our network this summer comes as a result of a thoughtfully designed schedule that balances the high demand for travel alongside a reliable and resilient operation,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer. “With more seats available for booking and added capacity on popular routes, our summer schedule reflects a strengthened commitment to providing seamless domestic and transborder connectivity for our guests.”
Highlights of WestJet’s summer schedule increases over 2022:
64 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Regina
46 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Saskatoon
44 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Edmonton
42 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Winnipeg
27 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Calgary
13 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Kelowna
5 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Vancouver
Enhanced flight frequencies across popular domestic and transborder routes:
Route
2023 peak summer frequency
2022 peak summer frequency
Edmonton – Las Vegas
11x weekly
4x weekly
Edmonton – Los Angeles
7x weekly
4x weekly
Calgary – Denver
4x weekly
2x weekly
Calgary – Houston
13x weekly
7x weekly
Calgary – New York (JFK)
7x weekly
4x weekly
Vancouver – Saskatoon
7x weekly
4x weekly
Vancouver – Ottawa
11x weekly
5x weekly
Calgary – Yellowknife
14x weekly
7x weekly
Calgary – Windsor
7x weekly
3x weekly
Calgary – London, Ont.
14x weekly
7x weekly
Calgary – Montreal
20x weekly
13x weekly
Edmonton – Kelowna
35x weekly
27x weekly
Edmonton – Winnipeg
20x weekly
6x weekly
Edmonton – Yellowknife
7x weekly
3x weekly
Edmonton – Saskatoon
14x weekly
6x weekly
Edmonton – Regina
14x weekly
6x weekly
Edmonton – Victoria
20x weekly
13x weekly
Edmonton – Halifax
13x weekly
7x weekly
Winnipeg – Thunder Bay
13x weekly
7x weekly
Winnipeg – Saskatoon
12x weekly
7x weekly
About WestJet
In 27 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 110 destinations in 24 countries.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognitionincludes:
2020/2019 Number-One Ranked Canadian Airline Loyalty Program in Member Engagement (Bond Brand Loyalty)
2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines) 2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines)
2019/2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
CALGARY, AB, Feb. 13, 2023 /CNW/ – WestJet today unveiled 20 new routes and three new destinations to the airline’s summer schedule. Offering a comprehensive network of connectivity between Western Canada and the United States, WestJet’s summer network additions feature new non-stop service to Washington Dulles, Detroit and Minneapolis, with new routes added to Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Nashville and Seattle. In line with the airline’s previously announced strategic direction, WestJet is also expanding domestic travel options across Canada with increased frequencies and options to travel from coast-to-coast, and everywhere in between.
“We are thrilled to be expanding our network and giving our guests substantial opportunity to explore the U.S., and Canada from coast-to-coast this summer,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group Chief Executive Officer. “From increased domestic options to expanded regional and transborder connectivity throughout Western Canada, our summer schedule demonstrates our unwavering commitment to fulfilling the diverse needs of Canadian travellers and ensuring we are the friendly, reliable and affordable airline they love.”
With strengthened domestic and transborder connectivity, WestJet will increase its service up to nearly 30 per cent in Calgary, 50 percent in Edmonton and 10 per cent in Vancouver when compared to 2022.
Expanded U.S. network with more routes and increased access to Delta hubs
This summer WestJet will introduce Minneapolis, Detroit and Washington D.C. (Dulles), to its network, in addition to investing in new routes and restoring service to an expansive list of U.S. destinations.
Through its longstanding partnership with Delta Air Lines, guests connecting through Minneapolis and Detroit will gain access to two more of the U.S. airline’s major hubs. Building on WestJet’s current service to Delta hubs, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle, WestJet guests will now have access to over 150 U.S. destinations on a single purchased ticket with check-in for all flights at the first departure, baggage tagged to their final destination and lounge access for select guests. Additionally, frequent flyers of both airlines will continue to enjoy extensive reciprocal benefits any time they fly with either carrier, including earning and redeeming in their preferred program.
Highlights of WestJet’s summer 2023 transborder and international service
Destination
Start Date
Peak Season Frequency
Departure Time
Arrival Time
Calgary – Austin*
May 18
2x weekly
09:40
14:30
Calgary – Chicago*
May 18
4x weekly
12:15
16:40
Calgary – Detroit1
May 26
5x weekly
12:35
18:05
Calgary – Washington D.C. (Dulles)
June 2
3x weekly
09:45
16:02
Edmonton – Minneapolis1
June 2
5x weekly
08:15
11:46
Edmonton – Seattle1
May 19
5x weekly
10:30
11:30
Vancouver – Atlanta1
May 17
4x weekly
22:25
06:05
Vancouver – Nashville
May 19
2x weekly
10:00
16:19
Vancouver – Orlando*
May 6
1x weekly
11:00
19:52
Winnipeg – Los Angeles3
Apr 30
3x weekly
07:00
08:38
Toronto – Bermuda3
May 5
2x weekly
07:00
10:42
*Resumption of service/ 1 Delta hub/ 3 Continuation of winter service
Enhancing non-stop west to east connectivity
As part of WestJet’s new strategic direction, the airline is taking strides to further provide guests with extensive opportunities to seamlessly and affordably travel across Canada. Substantially strengthening Canadian connectivity, WestJet is adding five new routes between Eastern and Western Canada, further positioning its network to support travel demands across the country.
Destination
Start Date
Peak Season Frequency
Departure Time
Arrival Time
Calgary – Moncton
June 14
3x weekly
09:15
16:49
Calgary – Thunder Bay*
June 29
3x weekly
14:00/15:45
18:36/20:21
Calgary – Quebec City*
May 19
4x weekly
17:55
23:55
Edmonton – Charlottetown
June 14
1x weekly
10:25
17:58
Edmonton – London
May 19
2x weekly
10:25
15:52
Edmonton – Moncton
June 29
2x weekly
10:25
17:57
Edmonton – Ottawa*
Apr 30
6x weekly
09:00
14:43
Edmonton – Montreal*
June 30
2x weekly
01:00
07:03
*Resumption of service
Bringing Western Canadian communities closer through a strengthened regional network
As Western Canada’s undisputed home-team carrier, WestJet is enhancing its aviation gateway for business and leisure travel opportunities by further strengthening regional connectivity with the resumption of non-stop flights and increased frequencies.
Destination
Start Date
Peak Season Frequency
Departure Time
Arrival Time
Calgary – Terrace*
May 1
4x weekly
09:40/14:10
10:58/15:28
Edmonton – Nanaimo*
April 30
2x weekly
10:30
11:29
Edmonton – Penticton*
July 1
2x weekly
11:00
11:27
Kelowna – Regina*
May 21
2x weekly
17:30
20:34
Kelowna – Saskatoon*
June 2
2x weekly
17:35
20:29
Kelowna – Winnipeg*
June 2
3x weekly
19:15
23:33
Vancouver – Regina*
Jun 30
2x weekly
20:45
23:47
Winnipeg – Victoria*
April 30
2x weekly
17:30
18:28
*Resumption of service
Additional quotes
“Delta is excited about WestJet’s expanded US-Canada network in summer 2023,” said Perry Cantarutti, senior vice president Alliances and International for Delta. “We already have a strong codeshare network with WestJet, and extensive reciprocal benefits for our frequent flyers. With both increased flights to Delta’s hubs in Atlanta and Seattle, as well as new WestJet flights to our hubs in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Detroit, we look forward to growing our partnership, offering new travel and connection options to more customers, and increasing competition.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome WestJet to Minnesota and are pleased to add an important business route to Edmonton from MSP,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP. “WestJet’s arrival also opens up new connections for travelers across Western Canada and the United States leveraging their codeshare with Delta Air Lines, MSP’s largest carrier.”
“We are pleased to have WestJet begin operations at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. With the addition of WestJet, our customers will be able to fly directly from Detroit to Calgary for the first time since 2005. We’re hoping this route will also give our Canadian neighbors one more reason to visit our great region, “said Chad Newton, Wayne County Airport Authority CEO.
“Dulles International Airport welcomes WestJet to the Washington, D.C., region with this first-ever service to Calgary,” said Chryssa Westerlund, Airports Authority executive vice president and chief revenue officer. “Calgary will become the 60th international destination from Washington Dulles, and WestJet will be our 40th air carrier. We are thrilled to welcome WestJet to Dulles and to provide customers this new link between Western Canada and Washington.”
About WestJet
In 26 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 110 destinations in 24 countries.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognitionincludes: 2020/2019 Number-One Ranked Canadian Airline Loyalty Program in Member Engagement (Bond Brand Loyalty) 2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines) 2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines) 2019/2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
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