Winter 2023 heats up with release of Flair Airlines Winter Schedule

  • Winter 2023 will see an expansion in Las Vegas with the addition of service from Ottawa and Calgary
  • Existing Phoenix service will move from Phoenix-Mesa to Sky Harbor and new route from Calgary to begin in October
  • Majority of Winter 2023 capacity to be international or transborder

EDMONTON, AB, March 7, 2023 /CNW/ – Today, Flair Airlines, Canada’s everyday low fare airline, announces the release of an exciting winter 2023 schedule. The schedule features added depth across the network to give customers more choice, particularly to sunshine, at low fares.

Today’s announcement includes several new routes, including Toronto to Puerto Vallarta (beginning October 29, 4x weekly), Kitchener-Waterloo to Puerto Vallarta (beginning December 16, 3x weekly), Calgary to Las Vegas (beginning October 30, 7x weekly), and Calgary to Phoenix (beginning October 30, 4x weekly). Flair will also be the only carrier to serve Ottawa to Las Vegas (beginning October 13, 2x weekly).

Existing service from Vancouver and Edmonton to Phoenix will move to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for the season, along with the new service from Calgary to Phoenix.

“With today’s exciting announcement, we are reaffirming our commitment to Canadians,” said Stephen Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer, Flair Airlines. “Our network offers more choice to more sun destinations than ever before. Rather than one reprieve from winter, we look forward to Canadians taking the opportunity to try all of the amazing destinations in our network.”

“We’ve optimized our network this winter to match demand for sun. It’s clear that Canadians want more affordable options for sun, more often,” said Garth Lund, Chief Commercial Officer, Flair Airlines. “We’ve focused on adding depth to our network by increasing frequencies on popular routes. We’ll now have daily service various routes, including Vancouver to Los Angeles and Toronto to Orlando to make it easier for Canadians to plan their winter travel.”

One-way fares at flyflair.com begin at $9 one way including taxes and fees (Thunder Bay to Toronto). Limited seats for a limited time. Flights are available for booking at flyflair.com.

All routes, including the winter schedule, are now on sale for 20% off base fare with code: SAVE20. Sale starts on March 7 and ends on March 9, 2023, for travel from March 7, 2023, to March 14, 2024. Terms and conditions apply. Limited seats for a limited time. *

About Flair Airlines

Flair Airlines is Canada’s leading low-fare airline and its greenest airline, on a mission to provide affordable air travel that connects them to the people and experiences they love. With an expanding fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, Flair is growing to serve over 35 cities across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. For more information, please visit www.flyflair.com. 

*Use promo code: SAVE20. Limited seats for a limited time. Base fare only. Taxes and fees not included. Sale start: March 7, 2023. Sale end: March 9, 2023. Blackout dates: April 6 – April 7, 2023; April 10, 2023; May 18 – May 19, 2023; May 22 – May 23, 2023; June 30, 2023; September 1 – September 4, 2023; October 6 – October 9, 2023; November 10 – November 13, 2023; December 15, 2023 – January 7, 2024; February 15 – February 20, 2024.

Winter 2023 Weekly Frequencies

Transborder

  • Toronto (YYZ) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 14x weekly
  • Vancouver (YVR) – Los Angeles (LAX): 7x weekly
  • Toronto (YYZ) – New York (JFK): 4X weekly
  • Toronto (YYZ) – Las Vegas (LAS): 4x weekly
  • Vancouver (YVR) – San Francisco (SFO): 4x weekly
  • Ottawa (YOW) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 4x weekly
  • Toronto (YYZ) – Orlando (SFB): 7x weekly
  • Vancouver (YVR) – Las Vegas (LAS): 7x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Las Vegas (LAS): 4x weekly
  • Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 4x weekly
  • Vancouver (YVR) – Phoenix (PHX): 3x weekly
  • Calgary (YYC) – Phoenix (PHX): 4x weekly
  • Calgary (YYC) – Las Vegas (LAS): 7x weekly
  • Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Orlando (SFB): 4x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Los Angeles (LAX): 3x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Phoenix (PHX): 4x weekly
  • Ottawa (YOW) – Orlando (SFB): 4x weekly
  • Ottawa (YOW) – Las Vegas (LAS): 2x weekly

International

  • Vancouver (YVR) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 9x weekly
  • Toronto (YYZ) – Cancun (CUN): 10x weekly
  • Toronto (YYZ) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 4x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 3x weekly 
  • Abbotsford (YXX) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 3x weekly
  • Calgary (YYC) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 6x weekly
  • Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Cancun (CUN) 4x weekly
  • Vancouver (YVR) – Los Cabos (SJD): 3x weekly
  • Ottawa (YOW) – Cancun (CUN): 3x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Los Cabos (SJD): 1x weekly
  • Calgary (YYC) – Los Cabos (SJD): 1x weekly
  • Abbotsford (YXX) – Los Cabos (SJD): 1x weekly
  • Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 3x weekly

Domestic

  • Toronto (YYZ) – Vancouver (YVR): 15x weekly
  • Toronto (YYZ) – Calgary (YYC): 11x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Abbotsford (YXX): 14x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Vancouver (YVR): 14X weekly
  • Abbotsford (YXX) – Calgary (YYC): 14x weekly
  • Vancouver (YVR) – Calgary (YYC): 14x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Kelowna (YLW): 11x weekly
  • Winnipeg (YWG) – Toronto (YYZ): 10x weekly
  • Kelowna (YLW) – Calgary (YYC): 7x weekly
  • Kelowna (YLW) – Vancouver (YVR): 7x weekly
  • Montreal (YUL) – Vancouver (YVR): 5x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Toronto (YYZ): 7x weekly
  • Abbotsford (YXX) – Toronto (YYZ): 7x weekly
  • Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Vancouver (YVR): 4x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Winnipeg (YWG): 4x weekly
  • Winnipeg (YWG) – Calgary (YYC): 4x weekly
  • Saskatoon (YXE) – Calgary (YYC): 3x weekly
  • Vancouver (YVR) – Winnipeg (YWG): 3x weekly
  • Montreal (YUL) – Calgary (YYC): 3x weekly
  • Halifax (YHZ) – Ottawa (YOW): 4x weekly
  • Vancouver (YVR) – Saskatoon (YXE): 3x weekly
  • Saskatoon (YXE) – Toronto (YYZ): 3x weekly
  • Calgary (YYC) – Victoria (YYJ): 3x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Montreal (YUL): 4x weekly
  • Ottawa (YOW) – Vancouver (YVR): 2x weekly
  • Kitchener-Waterloo – Calgary (YYC): 3x weekly
  • Halifax (YHZ) – Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF): 2x weekly
  • Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Abbotsford (YXX): 3x weekly
  • Ottawa (YOW) – Calgary (YYC): 3x weekly
  • Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Winnipeg (YWG): 2x weekly
  • Edmonton (YEG) – Victoria (YYJ): 3x weekly

WestJet brings more seats and increased flight frequencies to summer schedule

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:

Route2023 peak summer
frequency
2022 peak summer
frequency
Edmonton – Las Vegas11x weekly4x weekly
Edmonton – Los Angeles7x weekly4x weekly
Calgary – Denver4x weekly2x weekly
Calgary – Houston13x weekly7x weekly
Calgary – New York (JFK)7x weekly4x weekly
Vancouver – Saskatoon7x weekly4x weekly
Vancouver – Ottawa11x weekly5x weekly
Calgary – Yellowknife14x weekly7x weekly
Calgary – Windsor7x weekly3x weekly
Calgary – London, Ont.14x weekly7x weekly
Calgary – Montreal20x weekly13x weekly
Edmonton – Kelowna35x weekly27x weekly
Edmonton – Winnipeg20x weekly6x weekly
Edmonton – Yellowknife7x weekly3x weekly
Edmonton – Saskatoon14x weekly6x weekly
Edmonton – Regina14x weekly6x weekly
Edmonton – Victoria20x weekly13x weekly
Edmonton – Halifax13x weekly7x weekly
Winnipeg – Thunder Bay13x weekly7x weekly
Winnipeg – Saskatoon12x weekly7x 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 recognition includes:  

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)  

WestJet brings new U.S. destinations and enhanced domestic connectivity to summer schedule as airline’s new growth strategy takes flight

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 182x weekly09:4014:30
Calgary – Chicago*May 184x weekly12:1516:40
Calgary – Detroit1May 265x weekly12:3518:05
Calgary – Washington D.C. (Dulles)June 23x weekly09:4516:02
Edmonton – Minneapolis1June 25x weekly08:1511:46
Edmonton – Seattle1May 195x weekly10:3011:30
Vancouver – Atlanta1May 174x weekly22:2506:05
Vancouver – NashvilleMay 192x weekly10:0016:19
Vancouver – Orlando*May 61x weekly11:0019:52
Winnipeg – Los Angeles3Apr 303x weekly07:0008:38
Toronto – Bermuda3May 52x weekly07:0010:42
*Resumption of service/ 1 Delta hub/ 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 – MonctonJune 143x weekly09:1516:49
Calgary – Thunder Bay*June 293x weekly14:00/15:4518:36/20:21
Calgary – Quebec City*May 194x weekly17:5523:55
Edmonton – CharlottetownJune 141x weekly10:2517:58
Edmonton – LondonMay 192x weekly10:2515:52
Edmonton – MonctonJune 292x weekly10:2517:57
Edmonton – Ottawa*Apr 306x weekly09:0014:43
Edmonton – Montreal*June 302x weekly01:0007:03
*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 14x weekly09:40/14:1010:58/15:28
Edmonton – Nanaimo*April 302x weekly10:3011:29
Edmonton – Penticton*July 12x weekly11:0011:27
Kelowna – Regina*May 212x weekly17:3020:34
Kelowna – Saskatoon*June 22x weekly17:3520:29
Kelowna – Winnipeg*June 23x weekly19:1523:33
Vancouver – Regina*Jun 302x weekly20:4523:47
Winnipeg – Victoria*April 302x weekly17:3018:28
*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 recognition includes: 
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)

Sunwing Cancellation of Saskatoon and Regina flights

29 December 2022

We regret to inform Sunwing customers in Saskatoon and Regina that, due to extenuating circumstances, we are unfortunately cancelling our operations from both airports. The cancellations will take immediate effect and apply to travel from both airports up to and including Friday, February 3, 2023.

Sunwing had initially planned to supplement seasonal demand for travel from Saskatoon and Regina with the assistance of temporary foreign pilots for the winter months. When foreign pilot deployment was not agreed to, we brought in subservices to sustain our operations, however the conditions and schedule have proven too significant for our subserviced aircraft partners. We have attempted to reposition Sunwing aircraft to support but have been unable to do so as a result of flight delays and cancellations brought on by recent weather disruptions, and heavy demand over the peak holiday period.

We recognize that, despite our best efforts, we have failed to deliver on our customers’ expectations, and we deeply apologize for not meeting the standards of service our Saskatoon and Regina customers rightfully expect.

Please note that impacted customers with cancelled southbound departures will receive a full refund to their original form of payment. No action is required from customers and refunds will be processed within 30 days.

For our Saskatoon and Regina customers who are currently in destination, our team is proactively working to repatriate all customers with cancelled return flights, and more information on rescheduled flights will be communicated shortly.

Once again, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disruption to our Saskatchewan customers’ travel plans, and are doing everything possible to repatriate those in destination in the coming days.