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Revision 471661 of "WestJet" on testwiki{{advert|date=March 2020}}
{{short description|Canadian airline based in Calgary, Alberta}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = WestJet Airlines Ltd.
| image =
| logo = WestJetLogoOctober2018.svg
| logo_size = 300
| image2 =
| caption2 =
| image2-width =
| IATA = WS
| ICAO = WJA
| callsign = WESTJET
| parent = [[Onex Corporation]]
| traded_as =
| founded = {{Start date and years ago|1996|02|29|df=yes}}
| aoc = Canada 8993,<ref>{{TCAOC|2019-08-28|88-93|WestJet}}</ref> United States WJ0F768F<ref name="FAA">{{Cite web|url=https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=WJ0F&OPER_FAR=129&OPER_NAME=WESTJET|title=Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View|website=av-info.faa.gov|access-date=2019-06-27}}</ref>
| headquarters = [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]], Canada
| key_people = [[Edward Sims|Ed Sims]] ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]], <small>President</small>)<br />
| hubs = <!-- Please review discussion page on hubs/focus cities before editing -->
*[[Calgary International Airport|Calgary]]
*{{nowrap|[[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto–Pearson]]}}
*[[Vancouver International Airport|Vancouver]]
| focus_cities = *[[Edmonton International Airport|Edmonton]]
*[[Halifax Stanfield International Airport|Halifax]]
*[[Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport|Winnipeg]]
| frequent_flyer = [http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/businessTravel/frequentGuestProgram/fgpProgramOverview.shtml WestJet Rewards]
| lounge =
| subsidiaries = *[[WestJet Encore]]
*[[WestJet Link]]
*[[Swoop (airline)|Swoop]]
| alliance =
| fleet_size = 125<ref name="fleet"/>
| destinations = 100+
| revenue = {{increase}} [[Canadian dollar|CAN$]]4.733 billion (2018)
| operating_income = {{decrease}} CAN$155 million (2018)
| net_income = {{decrease}} CAN$91 million (2018)
| assets = {{increase}} CAN$6.758 billion (2018)
| equity = {{increase}} CAN$2.302 billion (2018)
| num_employees = 4500 (June 2020)<ref>https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/06/24/westjet-to-lay-off-more-than-3300-workers-under-restructuring-plan.html</ref>
| website = [https://www.westjet.com westjet.com]
}}
'''WestJet Airlines Ltd.''' is a Canadian airline founded in 1996. It began as a low-cost alternative to the country's competing major airlines.<ref>"[https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/airlines/westjet-ws]." CAPA. Retrieved on October 3, 2017. "WestJet Airline Profile."</ref><ref>{{cite news
|title=Canadian Low-Cost Carrier Departs From No-Frills Model
|newspaper=Wall Street Journal
|date=2015-07-28
|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/westjet-airlines-profit-climbs-19-1438083009
|accessdate=2015-11-17}}</ref> WestJet provided scheduled and [[air charter|charter]] air service to more than 100 destinations in Canada, the [[United States]], [[Europe]], [[Mexico]], [[Central America]], and the [[Caribbean]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westjet.com/assets/wj-web/documents/en/investorMedia/180329-2017-Annual-Report-accessible.pdf|title=2017 WestJet Annual Report|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}}</ref>
WestJet is currently the second-largest Canadian air carrier, behind [[Air Canada]],<ref>{{Cite news
| title = WestJet, Air France, KLM work toward code-share
| newspaper = USA Today
| date = 2009-02-05
| url = https://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-02-05-westjet-codeshare_N.htm?csp=34
| accessdate = 2009-02-23
}}</ref> operating an average of 777<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=http://westjet.mediaroom.com/2018-05-08-WestJet-unveils-its-Dreamliner-Spirit-of-Canada-to-the-world|title=WestJet unveils its Dreamliner 'Spirit of Canada' to the world|access-date=2018-06-15|language=en}}</ref> flights and carrying more than 66,130<ref>{{cite web |title=Segment guests |url=https://www.westjet.com/assets/wj-web/documents/en/investorMedia/180329-2017-Annual-Report-accessible.pdf |website=2017 WestJet Annual Report}}</ref> passengers per day. In 2018, WestJet carried 25.49 million passengers,<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |title=WestJet 2018 Annual Report |url=https://www.westjet.com/assets/wj-web/documents/en/investorMedia/WestJet-2018-Annual-Report.pdf |accessdate=11 February 2019}}</ref> making it the [[List of largest airlines in North America|ninth-largest airline in North America]] by passengers carried.
WestJet is a subsidiary of Kestrel Bidco Inc. with more than 14,000 employees,<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.westjet.com/assets/wj-web/documents/en/about-us/arrangement-agreement.pdf |title=ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT}}</ref> and is not part of any [[airline alliance]]. It operates three variants of the [[Boeing 737 Next Generation]] family, the [[Boeing 737 MAX]], as well as [[Boeing 767]] and [[Boeing 787]] aircraft, on select long-haul routes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/westjet-to-add-four-767-300s-exercise-five-q400-options-402133/|title=WestJet to add four 767s, exercise five Q400 options|author=Reed Business Information Limited|publisher=|accessdate=August 10, 2015}}</ref> WestJet has two direct subsidiaries, [[WestJet Encore]] which operates the [[Bombardier Q400]], and [[WestJet Link]], which operates the [[Saab 340|Saab 340B]]. The airline's headquarters is located adjacent to the [[Calgary International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact WestJet|publisher=WestJet|url=http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/contact/index.shtml|accessdate = 2011-11-02 }}</ref>
In 2018, WestJet had passenger revenues of [[Canadian dollar|CAN$]]4.733 billion.<ref name="auto1"/>
==History==
===1994-1999: First flights===
[[File:WestJet 737-200 C-GWJE.jpg|thumb|left|One of WestJet's Boeing 737-200s at [[Calgary International Airport]], July 1998]]
Westjet was founded on June 27, 1994<ref>{{cite web |title=WestJet Airlines Ltd. |url=https://www.sedar.com/DisplayProfile.do?lang=EN&issuerType=03&issuerNo=00010649 |website=www.sedar.com}}</ref> by [[Clive Beddoe]], [[David Neeleman]], Mark Hill, Tim Morgan, and Donald Bell, WestJet was based on the low-cost carrier business model pioneered by [[Southwest Airlines]] and [[Morris Air]] in the United States. Its original routes were all located in [[Western Canada]], which gave the airline its name.
On February 29, 1996, the first WestJet flight (a [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-200]]) departed. Initially, the airline served [[Calgary]], [[Edmonton]], [[Kelowna]], [[Vancouver]] and [[Winnipeg]] with a fleet of three used Boeing 737-200 aircraft and 225 employees. By the end of that same year, the company had added [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]], [[Saskatoon]] and [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]] to its network.
In mid-September 1996, WestJet's fleet was grounded due to a disagreement with [[Transport Canada]] over maintenance schedule requirements. The airline suspended all service for two weeks before resuming flights.<ref>{{cite news
| title = WestJet Returns September 1996
| publisher = CBC News Edmonton. Uploaded by:FDematos82.
| date = September 1996
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnMVap64lEU
| accessdate = 2010-06-28}}</ref>
In early 1999, Clive Beddoe stepped down as WestJet's CEO and was replaced by former [[Air Ontario]] executive Steve Smith. In July 1999, WestJet made its [[initial public offering]] of stock at 2.5 million shares, opening at $10 per share.<ref>{{cite news |title=WestJet IPO makes a strong debut |publisher=CBC News |date=1999-07-13 <!-- (Modified 2000-11-10) --> |url=http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/1999/07/13/westjet990713.html |accessdate=2009-02-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107030849/http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/1999/07/13/westjet990713.html |archivedate=November 7, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The same year, the cities of [[Thunder Bay]], [[Grande Prairie]], and [[Prince George, British Columbia|Prince George]] were added to WestJet's route map.
In 2000, WestJet CEO Steve Smith was released from WestJet after 18 months in the position, apparently due to differences about management style;<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Keyser
| first = Tom
| title = WestJet's fun culture deserves to be copied
| newspaper = Business Edge
| date = 2000-10-18
| url = http://www.businessedge.ca/article.cfm/newsID/5058.cfm
| accessdate = 2009-02-27
}}</ref> Smith went on to head rival Air Canada's low-cost subsidiary [[Zip (airline)|Zip]]. After Smith's departure, Clive Beddoe again became CEO of the company, a position he held until July 2007.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Sorensen
| first = Chris
| title = 'Mr. WestJet' stepping down as CEO - again
| newspaper = Toronto Star
| date = 2007-07-25
| url = https://www.thestar.com/Business/article/239460
| accessdate = 2009-02-27
}}</ref>
===2000-2003: Domestic expansion===
[[File:Boeing 737-281-Adv, WestJet AN0152810.jpg|thumb|A WestJet Boeing 737-200 arriving at [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]], April 2001. The airline began service into [[eastern Canada]] in 2001.]]
Due to restructuring in the Canadian airline industry resulting from [[Air Canada]]'s takeover of [[Canadian Airlines]] in 2000, WestJet expanded into [[Eastern Canada]], beginning service to the cities of [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]] and [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]] and [[Moncton, New Brunswick]]. The airline selected [[John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport]] to be the focus of its Eastern Canadian operations and its main connection point in Eastern Canada.
In 2001, WestJet's expansion continued with routes to [[Fort McMurray]] and [[Comox, British Columbia|Comox]]. It also added [[Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario|Sault Ste. Marie]], [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], Ontario, [[Thompson, Manitoba|Thompson]] and [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]], [[Manitoba]]; however, service to each of these four cities has since been withdrawn. Service to [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]], [[Manitoba]] and [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], [[Ontario]],<ref>{{cite press release
|title=WestJet to return to Sudbury
|publisher=Sudbury Star
|date=2016-11-01
|url=http://www.thesudburystar.com/2016/11/01/westjet-to-return-to-sudbury |accessdate=2016-12-19 }}</ref> was subsequently resumed by WestJet's wholly owned subsidiary, WestJet Encore.
In 2002, the airline also added another two new Eastern Canadian destinations: the Ontario cities of [[London, Ontario|London]] and [[Toronto]]. In April 2003, WestJet added [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]], [[Montreal]], [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John's]] and [[Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador|Gander]].
WestJet entered into a two-year agreement with [[Air Transat]] in August 2003 whereby WestJet aircraft would be filled by Transat's two main tour operators, World of Vacations and Transat Holidays. These chartered flights operated largely to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean and the planes were operated by WestJet crews. This agreement between WestJet and Air Transat was amicably terminated in February 2009.<ref>{{cite press release
|title = Transat and WestJet agree amiably to terminate air transportation agreement
|publisher = WestJet
|date = 2009-02-13
|url = http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1702138323&view=87295-2&Start=0
|archive-url = https://archive.is/20130115152645/http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1702138323&view=87295-2&Start=0
|url-status = dead
|archive-date = 2013-01-15
|accessdate = 2009-02-21
}}</ref>
In 2004, rival airline Air Canada accused WestJet of [[industrial espionage]] and filed a civil suit against WestJet in Ontario Superior Court. Air Canada accused WestJet of accessing Air Canada [[Trade secret|confidential information]] via a private website in order to gain a business advantage.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Air Canada suing WestJet |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=2004-04-06 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040406.waircan0406/BNStory/Business/ |accessdate=2009-02-23 |location=Toronto |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429072033/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040406.waircan0406/BNStory/Business/ |archivedate=April 29, 2009 }}</ref> On May 29, 2006, WestJet admitted to the charges leveled by Air Canada and agreed to pay C$5.5 million in legal and investigation fees to Air Canada and donate C$10 million to various children's charities in the names of Air Canada and WestJet.<ref>{{cite press release
| title = WestJet and Air Canada Issue Joint Press Release
| publisher = Marketwire
| date = 2006-05-29
| url = http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Westjet-596729.html
| accessdate = 2009-02-23}}</ref>
===2004-2006: International expansion===
In January 2004, WestJet announced that it was moving the focus of its Eastern operations 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]].<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet shifts operations to Toronto from Hamilton |publisher=CBC News |date=2004-01-14 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2004/01/14/westjet_040114.html |accessdate=2009-02-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816183052/http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2004/01/14/westjet_040114.html |archivedate=August 16, 2009 }}</ref>
[[File:C-FWCN Boeing 737 WestJet (8401794752).jpg|thumb|left|A WestJet Boeing 737-700 at [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]], October 2004. WestJet introduced flights to Phoenix, and other U.S. cities in 2004]]
In 2004, a number of U.S. destinations were added or announced. These included [[San Francisco]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]], [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] and [[LaGuardia Airport]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to begin flying to U.S cities in October |publisher=CBC News |date=2004-02-04 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2004/02/04/westjet_040204.html |accessdate=2009-02-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322042856/http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2004/02/04/westjet_040204.html |archivedate=March 22, 2009 }}</ref> In early 2005, [[Palm Springs, California|Palm Springs]] and [[San Diego]] were added to the company's list of destinations, while New York-LaGuardia was dropped. In April 2005, it announced new seasonal service to [[Charlottetown]] and ceased service to Gander. In fall 2005, [[Fort Myers, Florida|Ft. Myers]] and [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] were added to the growing list of destinations.
In late August 2005, WestJet flew to [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]], transporting members of a Vancouver-based [[urban search and rescue]] team to assist with [[Hurricane Katrina]] relief efforts.<ref>{{cite press release
|title=2005 WestJet Annual Report
|publisher=WestJet
|year=2006
|url=http://www.westjet.com/pdf/investorMedia/financialReports/WestJet2005AR.pdf
|page = 14
|accessdate=2010-07-01}}</ref>
After rumours and speculation surrounding the implementation of [[ETOPS/LROPS|extended-range twin-engine operations]] (ETOPS), WestJet announced new service to the [[Hawaii|Hawaiian Islands]] from Vancouver on September 20, 2005. In December 2005, the airline began flying from Vancouver to [[Honolulu]] and [[Maui]].
WestJet's first scheduled service outside Canada and the United States began in 2006, to [[Nassau, 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 Durfy]] took over as President of WestJet from founder Clive Beddoe.<ref>{{cite news
|title = Sean Durfy to become new WestJet president
|publisher = CTV.ca (Canadian Press)
|date = 2006-09-07
|url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060907/westjet_president_060907/20060907?hub=Canada
|accessdate = 2009-06-09
}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
On October 26, 2006, WestJet announced that it had its best quarterly profit to date, of C$52.8 million.
===2007-2009: Continued growth===
[[File:Boeing 737-7CT, WestJet Airlines JP6245865.jpg|thumb|left|A WestJet Boeing 737-700 landing at [[Princess Juliana International Airport]], October 2007. WestJet introduced several international seasonal flights that year.]]
In 2007, WestJet announced that it would begin flights from [[Deer Lake Regional Airport|Deer Lake]] in Newfoundland, [[Saint John, New Brunswick|Saint John]] in New Brunswick and [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo|Kitchener-Waterloo]] in Ontario. In June 2007, WestJet added seven new international seasonal flights to [[Saint Lucia]], [[Jamaica]], the [[Dominican Republic]], [[Mexico]] as well as a third Hawaiian destination; [[Kona International Airport|Kona]].
The same year, WestJet commissioned the construction of a new six-story 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 Design]] (LEED) [[Green Building]] 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.<ref>{{cite press release
| title = WestJet welcomes its WestJetters "home"
| publisher = CNW Group
| date = 2009-05-04
| url = http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2009/04/c7829.html
| accessdate = 2009-05-08}}</ref> The WestJet Campus building was certified as LEED Gold standard in October 2011.<ref>{{Cite news
|title = WestJet earns green gold
|newspaper = Calgary Herald
|date = 2011-10-21
|url = https://calgaryherald.com/business/WestJet+earns+green+gold/5578858/story.html
|accessdate = 2011-10-21
}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In May 2008, WestJet launched daily non-stop service to [[Quebec City]]. The next month, WestJet commenced seasonal service between [[Calgary]] and New York City via [[Newark Liberty International Airport]]. In May 2009, the airline launched new seasonal service to the cities of [[Yellowknife]], [[Northwest Territories]] and [[Sydney, Nova Scotia]]; service to Yellowknife was later extended through the winter of 2009-10.
During the 2000s (decade), WestJet made significant gains in domestic [[market share]] against Air Canada. In 2000 it held only 7% to Air Canada's 77%, though by the end of 2009 WestJet had risen to 38%, against Air Canada's 55%.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Jang
| first = Brent
| title = WestJet closing gap with Air Canada
| newspaper = The Globe and Mail
| date = 2010-02-20
| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/westjet-closing-gap-with-air-canada/article1472230/
| accessdate = 2010-02-20
| location=Toronto}}</ref>
In late April 2009, WestJet temporarily suspended service to several of its destinations in Mexico due to the [[2009 swine flu pandemic|outbreak of influenza A (H1N1)]] in the country. The suspension of service to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta lasted from early May until mid-June, with seasonal service to Cancún being restored the following fall.<ref>{{cite press release
|title = WestJet updates advisory for guests travelling to and from Mexico
|publisher = CNW Group
|date = 2009-04-28
|url = http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2009/28/c6245.html
|accessdate = 2010-07-01
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100608143159/http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2009/28/c6245.html
|archive-date = June 8, 2010
|url-status = dead
|df = mdy-all
}}</ref>
In July 2009, WestJet announced 11 new international destinations for its winter schedule. These included expanded service to the United States, to [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], [[Lihue, Hawaii|Lihue (Kauai), Hawaii]] and [[Miami, Florida]]. New Caribbean destinations included [[Providenciales]], in the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]]; [[St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles]]; [[Freeport, Bahamas]]; as well as the cities of [[Varadero]], [[Holguín]] and [[Cayo Coco]] in [[Cuba]]. [[Ixtapa]] and [[Cozumel]] were also added to the list of destinations served in Mexico.
In November 2009, WestJet announced service to the British island territory of [[Bermuda]], which commenced in May 2010.<ref>{{Cite press release
| title = WestJet announces service to Bermuda
| publisher = CNW Group
| date = 2009-11-23
| url = http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2009/23/c4024.html
| accessdate = 2010-01-27}}</ref> WestJet also resumed seasonal service to [[Windsor, Ontario]] that same month.
=== 2010-2016: Overseas expansion ===
In March 2010, Sean Durfy resigned from his position as WestJet's CEO, citing personal reasons.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Ladurantaye
| first = Steve
| title = Shakeup at WestJet as CEO Sean Durfy quits
| newspaper = The Globe and Mail
| date = 2010-03-16
| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/shakeup-at-westjet-as-ceo-sean-durfy-quits/article1501575/
| accessdate = 2010-07-01
| location=Toronto}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Gregg Saretsky]], a former executive at Canadian Airlines and [[Alaska Airlines]] and previously Vice-President of WestJet Vacations and Executive Vice-President of Operations.
In July 2010 WestJet announced service to [[Santa Clara, Cuba]], [[New Orleans]] and [[Grand Cayman]] bringing the total number of destinations to 71. Service to New Orleans lasted only one season and did not return the next year.
In late 2010 WestJet announced it was wet-leasing a [[Boeing 757]] aircraft to expand service between Calgary to Honolulu and Maui and Edmonton to Maui, on a seasonal basis.<ref name="mediaroom1">{{cite press release
| title = WestJet leases Boeing 757-200 to provide additional non-stop service from Alberta to Hawaii
| publisher = WestJet
| date = 2010-12-21
| url = http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=516
| accessdate = 2010-10-22}}</ref><ref name="seattlepi1">{{cite news | url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/worldairlinenews/archives/232951.asp | title=WestJet to lease a Boeing 757-200 for Hawaii | accessdate=24 December 2010 | date=23 December 2010 | newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref>
Also that year, the [[Canadian Transportation Agency| Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA)]], an independent administrative [[tribunal]] of the [[Government of Canada]] that regulates airlines, found WestJet's baggage policies to be unreasonable and/or contrary to the requirements of the ''Canada Transportation Act'' and/or the ''Air Transport Regulations'' on several different occasions.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2010/03/30/man-lukacs-westjet-compensation.html | title=Winnipeg airline passenger wins 3rd baggage complaint |work=CBC News |date=2010-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/regulator-orders-westjet-to-boost-lost-luggage-compensation/article1814131/ |title=Regulator orders WestJet to boost lost luggage compensation | work=Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |first=Paul |last=Waldie |date=2010-11-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110311/westjet-denied-appeal-on-luggage-ruling-110311/ | title=Court won't hear WestJet appeal on luggage liability | publisher=CTV News | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309100209/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110311/westjet-denied-appeal-on-luggage-ruling-110311/ |archivedate=2012-03-09 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fca-caf.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=10-A-42 | title=WESTJET AIRLINES LTD. v. CANADIAN TRANSPORTION AGENCY ET AL | date=March 10, 2011 | publisher=Federal Court of Appeal | access-date=May 7, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928103755/http://www.fca-caf.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=10-A-42 | archive-date=September 28, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2010/07/23/con-westjet-damage.html |title=WestJet ordered to pay for damaged bag |work=CBC |date=2010-07-23 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/agency-quashes-westjet-limit-on-baggage-claims-109453324.html | title=Agency quashes WestJet limit on baggage claims | newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press}}</ref>
On January 26, 2011, after Air Canada terminated California service, WestJet announced plans to enter service to [[John Wayne Airport]] in [[Orange County, California]] from Vancouver and Calgary starting May of that year.<ref>{{cite web|title=WestJet announces service to Orange County|url=http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=521|publisher=WestJet|accessdate=2011-01-28 |date=2011-01-26 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
[[File:C-GWCQ (8991062546).jpg|thumb|left|A WestJet Boeing 737 at [[LaGuardia Airport]], May 2013. Scheduled service to the airport from WestJet began the previous year.]]
In November 2011 WestJet won an auction for time slots at New York's [[LaGuardia Airport]] ushering in a return to service to [[New York City|New York]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/westjet-wins-coveted-laguardia-slots-in-new-york-city/article2246457/ |location=Toronto |work=The Globe and Mail | first=Brent | last=Jang | title=WestJet wins coveted LaGuardia slots in New York City - The Globe and Mail | date=2011-11-23}}</ref> Details of WestJet's scheduled service to LaGuardia were officially announced in January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/911741/westjet-announces-service-to-laguardia |title=WestJet | WestJet announces service to LaGuardia |publisher=Newswire.ca |date= |accessdate=2012-05-23 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> From 2012 to 2014, WestJet further expanded into the United States by adding [[Chicago]] via [[O'Hare International Airport]], [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]], [[Myrtle Beach International Airport]], and New York's [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]].
On November 15, 2013, WestJet announced their first destination in Europe. Seasonal service from St. John's, Newfoundland to [[Dublin]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], would operate from June to October 2014.<ref name="dublin">{{cite press release|url=http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=828 |title=Céad míle fáilte! WestJet welcomes Dublin to our network|publisher=WestJet|date=November 15, 2013|accessdate=November 23, 2013}}</ref>
In January 2014, WestJet chartered an [[Atlas Air]] [[Boeing 747-400]] to transport stranded passengers and luggage during the [[2013 Central and Eastern Canada ice storm]]. The charter flew from [[Lester B. Pearson International Airport]] to [[Calgary International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://skiesmag.com/news/article/Westjet-charters-Atlas-Air-747-to-alleviate-YYZ-weather-back|title=Westjet charters Atlas Air 747 to alleviate YYZ weather backlog - Skies Magazine - Aviation is our Passion.|publisher=|accessdate=August 10, 2015}}</ref>
On July 7, 2014, WestJet announced that it was in the "advanced stages of sourcing" four wide-body aircraft that would begin flying by the fall of 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2014/07/07/westjet_to_fly_widebody_planes_in_2015.html |work=Toronto Star |first=Vanessa |last=Lu |title=WestJet to fly wide-body planes in 2015 |date=2014-07-07 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> These would initially serve on the seasonal Alberta-Hawaii routes when WestJet's service agreement with Thomas Cook Airlines—who currently fly these routes on behalf of WestJet—expires in the spring of 2015. WestJet would take delivery of four [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300ER]]s in summer 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/westjet-may-take-on-air-canada-with-move-to-wide-body-aircraft/article19490225/ |work=The Globe and Mail |first=Greg |last=Keenan |title=WestJet eyes international expansion with plane purchase |date=2014-07-07 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> WestJet took delivery of the first of these aircraft on August 27, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/08/27/calgary-based-airline-westjet-welcomes-boeing-767-300-into-fleet |work=Calgary Sun |first=Bill |last=Kaufmann |title=Calgary-based airline WestJet welcomes Boeing 767-300 into fleet |date=27 August 2015 |accessdate=17 September 2018 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310190956/http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/08/27/calgary-based-airline-westjet-welcomes-boeing-767-300-into-fleet |archivedate=10 March 2016 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |url=http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/westjet-takes-delivery-of-first-of-4-boeing-767-300-aircraft |work=Financial Post |title=WestJet takes delivery of first of 4 Boeing 767-300 aircraft |date=2015-08-28 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
On June 16, 2015, WestJet announced the launch service to London's [[Gatwick Airport]] which began on May 6, 2016. It is the carrier's third transatlantic destination after Dublin and Glasgow. The majority of flights to London uses the wide-body Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/06/16/westjet-london-gatwick_n_7597598.html?ir=Canada+Business|title=WestJet to Launch Service to London-Gatwick|work=Huffington Post Canada|date=2015-06-16 |accessdate=2015-06-18 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> On September 15, 2015, WestJet flights to London direct from Edmonton, St. John's, Vancouver, Winnipeg (seasonal) Calgary and Toronto (year-round) went on sale to the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-gatwick-transatlantic-1.3228846|title=WestJet to offer 1st transatlantic flights with bigger planes to London next spring|work=cbc.ca |accessdate=2016-10-12 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> During winter months, WestJet continues to serve the seasonal [[Edmonton]] - [[Maui]], [[Calgary]] - [[Honolulu]], and [[Calgary]] - [[Maui]] flights with the 767-300ER aircraft.
===2017-2019: Transition to full-service carrier===
[[File:C-FONK Swoop Boeing 737-8CT s n 40835 (39783249613).jpg|thumb|A [[Swoop (airline)|Swoop]] Boeing 737-800. WestJet established the [[low-cost carrier|low-cost]] subsidiary in 2017.]]
In April 2017, WestJet announced plans to launch an ultra-low-cost carrier in late 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet plans to launch new discount airline|url=http://www.macleans.ca/economy/business/westjet-plans-to-launch-new-discount-airline/|accessdate=2017-04-21 |work=[[Maclean's]]|date=2017-04-20 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The new airline would operate using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and compete with new entrants to the market, such as [[Flair Airlines]].
<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to launch 'ultra-low-cost' no-frills carrier|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/west-jet-westjet-ultra-low-cost-carrier-airline-calgary-lower-fares-1.4077103|accessdate=2017-04-22 |df=mdy-all|work=[[CBC News]]|date=2017-04-20 |language=en}}</ref> The launch of the new airline, named [[Swoop (airline)|Swoop]], was delayed until June 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-discount-airline-1.4230251 |title=WestJet delays launch of discount airline until 2018 |date=2017-08-01 |df=mdy-all |work=CBC News}}</ref>
While announcing an expansion of the senior leadership team on January 11, 2018, Gregg Saretsky reconfirmed the airline's strategic goal to become a global, full-service carrier.<ref>{{cite web|title=WestJet Prepares for Global Expansion|url=http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1308|publisher=WestJet|access-date=January 20, 2018}}</ref>
On March 8, 2018, the CEO of WestJet, [[Gregg Saretsky]] retired.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/westjet-airlines-chief-executive-gregg-saretsky-retires-replaced-by-ed-sims-1.3834169|title=WestJet Airlines chief executive Gregg Saretsky retires, replaced by Ed Sims|date=2018-03-08|work=[[CTV News]]|access-date=2018-03-08}}</ref> He was replaced by company vice-president, [[Edward Sims|Ed Sims]].
On May 8, 2018, WestJet announced that it would be adding the [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner]] to its fleet. The first aircraft was delivered to the airline in January 2019.<ref name="auto"/>
On May 10, 2018, WestJet's unionized pilots voted 91 percent in favour of strike action. The key issue in negotiations is outsourcing work to operate the new Swoop carriers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/westjet-pilots-vow-not-to-disrupt-long-weekend-as-a-goodwill-gesture-1.3924225|title=WestJet Pilots Vow Not to Disrupt Long Weekend as a Goodwill Gesture|date=2018-05-10|work=[[CTV News]]|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref> On May 25, 2018, WestJet and the [[Air Line Pilots Association, International|Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)]] agreed to a settlement process through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://westjet.mediaroom.com/2018-05-25-Settlement-process-reached-between-WestJet-Pilots-and-WestJet|title=Settlement process reached between WestJet Pilots and WestJet|access-date=2018-06-15|language=en}}</ref>
On May 14, 2018, WestJet announced new [[Premium Economy]] seats to replace the ''Plus'' seats, its current premium economy offering. The new seats features a wider 2-2 configuration on the Boeing 737 aircraft. Entry into service on the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft was planned for fall 2018, and the rest of the Boeing 737s would follow in 2019. However, entry into service has been delayed until winter 2018.<ref name="WJComfortRedifined">{{cite web |title=Comfort Redefined |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/inflight/comfortredefined?sm_cid=social:brand:comfort-redefined:youtube |website=WestJet |accessdate=31 August 2018}}</ref>
On May 31, 2018, WestJet operated its first flight to [[Continental Europe|mainland Europe]] with the inaugural flight from [[Halifax Stanfield International Airport]] to Paris' [[Charles de Gaulle Airport]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://westjet.mediaroom.com/2018-06-01-WestJet-launches-first-flight-to-the-City-of-Light|title=WestJet launches first flight to the City of Light|access-date=2018-06-15|language=en}}</ref>
The Canadian Union of Public Employees ([[Canadian Union of Public Employees|CUPE]]) announced its application to the Canadian Government for certification of WestJet's approximately 3,200 flight attendants on July 9, 2018. On July 31, 2018 the Government of Canada via the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) issued an interim order certifying CUPE as the accredited union for WestJet mainline flight attendants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/cupe-files-application-with-cirb-to-represent-westjet-flight-attendants-1.4006964|title=CUPE files application with CIRB to represent WestJet flight attendants {{!}} CTV News|website=www.ctvnews.ca|access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-union-cupe-says-1.4769327|title=3,000 WestJet cabin crew employees officially unionized, CUPE says {{!}} CBC News|last=Jul 31|first=David Bell · CBC News · Posted|last2=August 1|first2=2018 8:00 PM MT {{!}} Last Updated|website=CBC|language=en|access-date=2019-01-28|last3=2018}}</ref>
[[File:WestJet 737 MAX 8 2.jpg|thumb|A WestJet Boeing 737 MAX 8 in the company's new livery, July 2018]]
On August 27, 2018, WestJet became the first Canadian airline to launch an AI-powered chatbot named Juliet.<ref>{{cite web |title=WestJet becomes first Canadian airline to launch an AI Chatbot |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/westjet-becomes-first-canadian-airline-to-launch-an-ai-chatbot-691787611.html |website=www.newswire.ca |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing Juliet, our new chatbot assistant |url=https://blog.westjet.com/introducing-juliet-our-new-chatbot-assistant/ |website=WestJet Blog |date=27 August 2018}}</ref> A report in 2019 stated that the AI chatbot, which functions on Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp, is solving 74% of all customer service queries.<ref>{{cite web |title=WestJet Brings Virtual Agent to WhatsApp {{!}} Airline AI Agent |url=https://www.netomi.com/westjet-brings-successful-netomi-powered-virtual-agent-juliet-to-whatsapp |date=5 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How airline customer experience will take off with artificial intelligence {{!}} PhocusWire |url=https://www.phocuswire.com/netomi-airline-outlook-artificial-intelligence |website=www.phocuswire.com |language=en}}</ref>
On October 12, 2018, WestJet announced its new branding, along with details on the arrival on the [[Boeing 787-9]]. WestJet changed its slogan from ''Owners Care'' to ''Love where you're going'', announced a new logo (however, such logo was seen in May with the announcement of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner along with its livery), announced the Boeing 787 routes and launch dates, and an overall new brand image. Boeing 787 flights were announced to commence on April 28, 2019, with service from [[Calgary International Airport]] to [[London Gatwick Airport]], with service to [[Paris]] and [[Dublin]] following.<ref name="NewWestJet2018">{{cite web |title=Welcome to the new WestJet |date=12 October 2018 |url=https://blog.westjet.com/welcome-to-the-new-westjet/}}
|website=WestJet |accessdate=13 October 2018}}</ref>
On May 13, 2019, WestJet announced it had reached an agreement to be purchased by [[Onex Corporation]] for $5 billion Canadian dollars. At the time, it had 13 Boeing 737 Max jets in suspended operation, with another 57 of the type ordered from the manufacturer. The purchase price of WestJet was slashed heavily due to the grounding of the MAX aircraft.<ref name=gmjun>{{cite news |title=Onex slashed proposed offer for WestJet because of grounding of Boeing 737 Max planes |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-onex-slashes-proposed-offer-for-westjet-due-to-grounding-of-boeing-73/ |publisher=The Globe and Mail Inc. |date=24 June 2019}}</ref>
===2020: COVID-19 pandemic===
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], WestJet faced an unprecedented decline in demand for flights along with the rest of the aviation industry. In addition, there were numerous cases of COVID-19 reported on board WestJet flights.<ref>{{cite|title=Impacted Flights – Coronavirus (COVID-19)|url=https://blog.westjet.com/operational-updates-coronavirus-covid-19/|publisher=WestJet|date=6 March 2020}}</ref> On March 17, 2020 WestJet shut down all international flights,<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to suspend all international and U.S. flights for 30 days starting Sunday|url=https://business.financialpost.com/transportation/airlines/westjet-to-suspend-all-international-and-u-s-flights-for-30-days-starting-march-22|publisher=National Post|date=17 March 2020}}</ref> and on March 24 WestJet laid off 6,900 employees, about half of all staff.<ref>{{cite|title=WestJetters step up to minimize layoffs during COVID-19 crisis|url=https://blog.westjet.com/westjetters-step-up-to-minimize-layoffs-during-covid-19-crisis/|publisher=WestJet|date=24 March 2020}}</ref> However, on April 9 WestJet rehired 6,400 employees temporarily due to the federal wage subsidy program.<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet plans to use federal wage subsidy to rehire 6,400 employees|url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/air-canada-to-use-federal-wage-subsidy-to-re-hire-employees-westjet-still-evaluating/|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> On April 17, 2020, WestJet announced it was laying off 1,700 pilots.<ref>{{cite news|title='Last resort': WestJet laying off 1,700 pilots|url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/last-resort-westjet-laying-off-1700-pilots/|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=17 April 2020}}</ref> On April 22, 2020 WestJet laid off 3,000 more employees.<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to lay off 3,000 more employees as demand for service craters|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-layoffs-1.5541755|publisher=CBC|date=22 April 2020}}</ref> On June 24, 2020, WestJet laid off a further 3,300 employees as part of a restructuring plan, leaving only 4,500 employees still on payroll at the company. WestJet employed over 14,000 people prior to the start of the pandemic.<ref>https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/06/24/westjet-to-lay-off-more-than-3300-workers-under-restructuring-plan.html</ref>
==Corporate affairs==
===Ownership and structure===
[[File:WestJetHQ.jpg|thumb|WestJet's headquarters is based in Calgary International Airport]]
WestJet is operated by WestJet Airlines Ltd., a private company, incorporated and domiciled in Canada, which since December 2019 has been owned by Toronto-based private equity firm [[Onex Corporation]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/onexs-5b-acquisition-of-westjet-closes/|title=Onex's $5B acquisition of WestJet closes|first=Amanda|last=Stephenson|work=[[Calgary Herald]]|date=11 December 2019|accessdate=12 April 2020}}</ref>
On 13 May 2019, Westjet had announced that it had accepted an offer from Onex Corporation to purchase the company, a $5-billion deal that would require shareholder approval (in July) and regulatory approval. The offer was for $31 a share, substantially higher than the closing price of approximately $18 at the close of trading on the previous business day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-onex-private-sale-1.5134407?cmp=newsletter-Morning+Brief+May+14+2019 |title=What the sale of WestJet means for jobs, fares, routes — and investors |date=14 May 2019 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=14 May 2019 |quote=Ryder speculates that Onex, with its sizable war chest for acquisitions, might want to buy one of the discount airlines in Canada and merge it with Swoop, WestJet's ultra-low-cost carrier.}}</ref> Completion of the acquisition was announced on 11 December 2019, after the regulator had determined that WestJet will continue to meet Canadian ownership and control requirements if Onex amends its bylaws to ensure any matters voted on by the board of directors are done with a majority of Canadian directors present.
Westjet's shares were withdrawn from the market, having previously been publicly traded on the [[Toronto Stock Exchange]] (TSX) under the symbol WJA.<ref name="2016 Report">{{cite web|title= 2016 Annual Report |date= February 6, 2017|url=https://www.westjet.com/assets/wj-web/documents/en/about-us/financialReports/WestJet2016AR.pdf|accessdate= {{date|2017-9-26}}}}</ref>
====WestJet Encore====
[[File:Westjet Encore Dash-8 Q400.jpg|thumb|[[Bombardier Dash 8|De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400]] used by [[WestJet Encore]], a regional airline subsidiary]]
{{Main|WestJet Encore}}
WestJet Encore is WestJet's affiliated regional airline, which commenced operations on June 24, 2013, with a fleet of [[Bombardier Q400]] twin-turboprop aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/2012/11/07/westjets-new-regional-carrier-encore-aims-for-mid-june-takeoff |title=WestJet's new regional carrier Encore aims for mid-June takeoff|first=Scott|last=Deveau|work=[[Financial Post]]|date=November 7, 2012|accessdate=January 17, 2013}}</ref> WestJet Encore was granted its separate Air Operator Certificate from Transport Canada, on June 12, 2013.<ref>[https://worldairlinenews.com/2013/06/12/westjet-encore-receives-its-air-operator-certificate/] World Airline News, WestJet Encore receives Air Operator Certificate. Retrieved 2018-01-29.</ref> It was set up to serve smaller communities in Canada.
====WestJet Link====
[[File:WestJet Link YYC.jpg|thumb|A [[Saab 340]] used by [[WestJet Link]], a subsidiary that connects feeder flights to WestJet hubs.]]
{{Main|WestJet Link}}
WestJet Link is a subsidiary of WestJet launched in June 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/westjet-link-launch-delayed-672040033.html|title=WestJet Link launch delayed|website=www.newswire.ca}}</ref> Operated by [[Pacific Coastal Airlines]], WestJet Link service from the parent airline's hub at Calgary to smaller communities, using [[Saab 340|Saab 340B]] aircraft which are smaller than the Q400 aircraft operated by Encore.<ref name=Link>{{cite news|url=http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1296|title=WestJet introduces WestJet Link|publisher=WestJet |date=2017-11-24 |accessdate=2017-11-25 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
====Swoop====
{{Main|Swoop (airline)}}
Swoop is a new affiliated airline of WestJet that aims to be an [[ultra low-cost carrier]] (ULCC). It was officially announced on September 27, 2017, and commenced operations on June 20, 2018. Swoop currently operates a fleet of Boeing [[737-800]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |title=Low-cost airline Swoop's maiden flight lands in Abbotsford |url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/low-cost-airline-swoop-s-maiden-flight-lands-in-abbotsford-1.3980254 |accessdate=29 June 2018}}</ref>
===Business trends===
The key trends for the WestJet group (including WestJet Encore) are (years ending December 31):
<center>
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="text-align:center;"
!
! 2012
! 2013
! 2014
! 2015
! 2016
! 2017
! 2018
|-
| Turnover ([[Canadian dollar|C$]]m)
| align=center|3,427
| align=center|3,662
| align=center|3,977
| align=center|4,029
| align=center|4,123
| align=center|4,507
! align=center|4,733
|-
| Net profit after tax (C$m)
| align=center|242
| align=center|269
| align=center|317
| align=center|368
| align=center|295
| align=center|279
! align=center|91
|-
| Number of employees ([[Full-time equivalent|FTE]] at year end)
| align=center|7,742
| align=center|8,000
| align=center|8,698
| align=center|9,211
| align=center|9,988
| align=center|11,089
! align=center|11,624
|-
| Number of passengers (m)
| align=center|17.4
| align=center|18.5
| align=center|19.7
| align=center|20.3
| align=center|22.0
| align=center|24.1
! align=center|25.5
|-
| Passenger load factor (%)
| align=center|82.8
| align=center|81.7
| align=center|81.4
| align=center|80.0
| align=center|81.8
| align=center|83.6
! align=center|83.8
|-
| Number of aircraft (at year end)
| align=center|100
| align=center|113
| align=center|122
| align=center|140
| align=center|153
| align=center|168
! align=center|177
|-
| <small>''Notes/sources''</small>
| align="center" |<ref name="2016 Report"/>
| align="center" |<ref name="2016 Report"/>
| align="center" |<ref name="2016 Report"/>
| align="center" |<ref name="2016 Report"/>
| align="center" |<ref name="2016 Report"/>
| align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westjet.com/assets/wj-web/documents/en/about-us/financialReports/WestJet-Q4-2017-MDA.pdf|title=Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Operating Results for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016|website=www.westjet.com|access-date=2018-03-22}}</ref>
! align="center" |<ref name="auto1"/>
|}
</center>
==Destinations==
{{Further|List of WestJet destinations}}
[[File:WestJetCheckinYQRAugust2018.jpg|thumb|Queue to WestJet check-in counters at [[Regina International Airport]]]]
WestJet and WestJet Encore currently fly to 108 destinations in 25 countries throughout North and Central America, the Caribbean and Europe including 36 cities in Canada and 23 in the United States. WestJet's largest hub in terms of daily departures is [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]], the airline's main connection point in Eastern Canada and [[Calgary International Airport]], the airline's main connection point in Western Canada.
WestJet provides the most Canadian flights to [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], offering non-stop routes (some of them seasonal) from nine Canadian cities to Las Vegas and eleven to Orlando. Since 2008, WestJet is the largest international carrier, by volume of passengers, flying into Las Vegas.<ref>{{Cite journal
|last1 = Russell
|first1 = Scott
|title = Fiscal year 2009 (Starts July 2008) Enplaned and Deplaned International Passengers
|publisher = Clark County Department of Aviation
|date = 2009-05-28
|url = http://cms.mccarran.com/dsweb/Get/Document-256434/Total%20International%20Pax%202009.pdf
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714055916/http://cms.mccarran.com/dsweb/Get/Document-256434/Total%20International%20Pax%202009.pdf
|archivedate = July 14, 2011
|df = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
| last = Velotta
| first = Richard
| title = WestJet is McCarran's biggest growth story
| newspaper = Las Vegas Sun
| date = 2010-04-30
| url = http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/apr/30/westjet-mccarrans-biggest-growth-story/
| accessdate = 2010-07-01
}}</ref> WestJet also serves 20 destinations in the Caribbean and seven in Mexico, some on a seasonal basis.
In July 2015, WestJet announced flights to [[London Gatwick Airport]] operated by [[Boeing 767]] aircraft, which had not previously been part of the airline's fleet, starting spring 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1000|title=WestJet announces service to London Gatwick|work=mediaroom.com}}</ref>
In January 2018, WestJet announced its first flight to mainland Europe. WestJet started flying between Halifax and Paris in May 2018. The airline in this route is being operated with its new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |title=WestJet heads to Paris and London from Halifax |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/westjet-heads-to-paris-and-london-from-halifax-671641603.html |website=www.newswire.ca |language=en}}</ref>
In October 2018, new international destinations and routes were announced. Starting in 2019, WestJet began direct flights from Calgary to Dublin and Paris. WestJet is using its new [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]] aircraft to fly these new routes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/westjet-announces-new-international-flights-from-calgary-on-dreamliner-aircraft|title=WestJet announces new direct Dreamliner flights to Europe from Calgary | Calgary Herald|date=October 10, 2018}}</ref> In addition, the current Calgary to [[London Gatwick Airport]] route, which was formerly served by WestJet's Boeing 767 aircraft, has been replaced by new [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ca.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/westjet-announces-calgary-to-europe-flights-for-new-dreamliners.html|title=WestJet Announces Calgary to Europe Flights For New Dreamliners|website=TravelPulse}}</ref> At the end of October, WestJet also announced two new destinations. It began flights between [[Calgary]] and [[Atlanta]], WestJet's expected joint-venture carrier [[Delta Air Lines]] largest hub, in March 2019. WestJet is the only carrier operating a direct route between Calgary and Atlanta. The airline also announced flights between [[Toronto]] and [[Barcelona]], its second destination in mainland Europe which began in May 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=WestJet Adds Toronto-Barcelona and Calgary-Atlanta for 2019 |url=https://ca.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/westjet-adds-toronto-barcelona-and-calgary-atlanta-for-2019.html |website=TravelPulse}}</ref>
==Alliances and codeshare agreements==
===History===
In 1999, WestJet was in talks regarding a possible 'feeder' arrangement for Air Canada's network.<ref>{{cite web
| last = Hegeman
| first = Holly
| title = For Canadian Airlines, More Money Isn't the Answer; New Management Is
| publisher = TheStreet.com
| date = 1999-03-11
| url = http://www.thestreet.com/story/723354/1/for-canadian-airlines-more-money-isnt-the-answer-new-management-is.html
| accessdate = 2009-07-16
}}</ref> These talks were apparently discontinued when Air Canada went forward with acquisition of Canadian Airlines the following year.
In 2005, WestJet began a limited interline agreement with Taiwan-based [[China Airlines]], in part to test the company's capability to partner with other carriers.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Karp
| first = Aaron
| title = WestJet in talks with Air France regarding interline agreement
| newspaper = Air Transport World Online
| date = 2007-11-20
| url = http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=10891
| accessdate = 2009-08-01
}}</ref>
In August 2006, in a [[The Globe and Mail|Globe and Mail]] interview, then-WestJet CEO Sean Durfy stated that WestJet was in talks with [[Oneworld]]. Durfy said that, if a deal with Oneworld were reached, it would allow WestJet to maintain its scheduling flexibility;<ref>{{Cite news
|last = Jang
|first = Brent
|title = WestJet Looks to Fly Higher with Oneworld
|newspaper = The Globe and Mail
|date = 2006-08-31
|url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060831.wxrwestjet31/BNStory/Business/home
|accessdate = 2006-10-31
|location = Toronto
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060902203208/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060831.wxrwestjet31/BNStory/Business/home
|archive-date = September 2, 2006
|url-status = dead
|df = mdy-all
}}</ref> Durfy was later quoted in 2007 saying that a deal for WestJet to join the Oneworld alliance was unlikely.<ref>{{Cite news
| title = WestJet says link up with alliance not likely
| newspaper = Toronto Star
| date = 2007-06-06
| url = https://www.thestar.com/Business/article/222012
| accessdate = 2009-02-23
}}</ref> Despite this, WestJet did formalize a deal with Oneworld in November 2008, to partner on sales of travel to corporate and business travelers.<ref>{{cite press release
|title = oneworld and WestJet introduce global travel program for businesses in Canada
|publisher = WestJet
|date = 2008-11-04
|url = http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1611044863&view=87295-2&Start=0
|accessdate = 2009-02-23
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150524181419/http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1611044863&view=87295-2&Start=0
|archive-date = May 24, 2015
|url-status = dead
|df = mdy-all
}}</ref>
In July 2008 WestJet announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding to build a distribution and codeshare agreement with U.S.-based [[Southwest Airlines]]. However, in April 2010 WestJet announced that the airline partnership with Southwest Airlines was terminated and in October 2010, WestJet partnered with [[American Airlines]] instead<ref>{{Cite news
|last = Deveau
|first = Scott
|title = WestJet, American may strike code deal
|newspaper = Financial Post
|date = 2010-10-04
|url = http://www.financialpost.com/news/WestJet+American+strike+code+deal/3622610/story.html
|accessdate = 2010-12-22
}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and later added Delta Air Lines. In light of a possible joint venture between WestJet and [[Delta Air Lines|Delta]], [[American Airlines|American]] and WestJet ceased their codeshare agreement on July 31, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.travelweek.ca/news/analysis-westjet-and-delta-want-to-expand-with-a-joint-venture-whats-the-impact-for-the-travel-industry/|title=Analysis: WestJet and Delta want to expand with a joint venture. What's the impact? - Travelweek|last=Group|first=Travelweek|date=2018-03-09|work=Travelweek|access-date=2018-06-15|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.travelweek.ca/news/westjet-aa-move-cut-ties-wake-delta-deal/|title=WestJet, AA move to cut ties in wake of Delta deal - Travelweek|last=Group|first=Travelweek|date=2017-12-27|work=Travelweek|access-date=2018-06-15|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2006 WestJet announced it has been in talks with 70 airlines around the world interested in an interline or codeshare agreement.<ref>{{Cite news
| title = WestJet chief laying the groundwork
| newspaper = Globe and Mail
| date = 2010-04-01
| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/westjet-chief-laying-the-groundwork/article1519559/
| accessdate = 2010-04-01
| location=Toronto
| first=Brent
| last=Jang}}</ref><ref name="theglobeandmail1">{{Cite news
| title = WestJet shopping for global partners
| newspaper = Globe and Mail
| date = 2010-06-03
| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/westjet-shopping-for-global-partners/article1591569/
| accessdate = 2010-06-03
| location=Toronto}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/WestJet+teams+with+British+Airways/3946684/story.html |title=WestJet teams up with British Airways |publisher=Canada.com |date=2010-12-08 |accessdate=2011-03-03 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In 2017, WestJet, [[easyJet]] and [[Norwegian Air Shuttle]] teamed up to provide direct connections at [[London Gatwick Airport]]. The scheme, dubbed by easyJet as "Worldwide by easyJet" allows passengers to connect from easyJet flights to American and Canadian destinations with WestJet and Norwegian.
As of June 2018, WestJet has 27 interline agreements and 16 codeshare agreements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/about-us/airline-partners|title=Our airline partners|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}}</ref>
===Codeshare agreements===
WestJet [[Codeshare agreement|codeshares]] with the following airlines:<ref name="CAPA WestJet profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/about-us/airline-partners|title=Our airline partners|website=CAPA|publisher=Centre for Aviation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029220147/http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/westjet-ws|archive-date=2016-10-29|url-status=live|access-date=2016-10-29}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Aeroméxico]] <small>([[SkyTeam]])</small>
* [[Air France]] <small>([[SkyTeam]])</small>
* [[Cathay Pacific]] <small>([[Oneworld]])</small>
* [[China Airlines]] <small>([[SkyTeam]])</small>
* [[China Eastern Airlines]] <small>([[SkyTeam]])</small>
* [[China Southern Airlines]]
* [[Delta Air Lines]] <small>([[SkyTeam]])</small>
* [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]]
* [[Hainan Airlines]]
* [[Hong Kong Airlines]]
* [[Japan Airlines]] <small>([[Oneworld]])</small>
* [[KLM]] <small>([[SkyTeam]])</small>
* [[Korean Air]] <small>([[SkyTeam]])</small>
* [[LATAM Brasil]]
* [[LATAM Perú]]
* [[Philippine Airlines]]
* [[Qantas]] <small>([[Oneworld]])</small>
* [[Virgin Atlantic]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://simpleflying.com/westjet-virgin-atlantic/|title=WestJet Secures Virgin Atlantic Codeshare Agreement|date=November 19, 2019|website=Simple Flying}}</ref>
{{div col end}}
=== Interline agreements ===
WestJet have [[Interlining|Interline agreement]]s with the following airlines:<ref name="PIA Codeshare and Interline">{{Cite web|url=https://www.piac.com.pk/interline-travel|title=INTERLINE AND CODESHARE TRAVEL|website=Pakistan International Airlines}}</ref>
* [[Pakistan International Airlines]]
=== Joint venture with Delta Air Lines ===
On December 6, 2017, WestJet and [[Delta Air Lines]] signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding to extend their current codeshare agreement into a joint venture, pending regulatory and board approval.<ref>{{cite web |title=Delta and WestJet agree to form joint venture |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/delta-and-westjet-agree-to-form-joint-venture-662260053.html |website=Cision |publisher=WestJet |accessdate=2018-06-02 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
On July 19, 2018, WestJet and Delta Air Lines signed a definitive 10-year agreement into a joint venture between the two airlines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.delta.com/delta-and-westjet-create-new-transborder-joint-venture|title=Delta and WestJet to create new transborder joint venture | Delta News Hub}}</ref> This joint venture will serve more than 95% of the Canada-U.S. demand. The airlines' current frequent flier programs will also be updated to be more closely aligned, and the airlines will be co-located at key hub airports.
==Fleet==
===Current fleet===
{{Multiple image |direction=vertical
|image1=C-GWJU in YVR.jpg |caption1=[[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-600]]
|image2=Boeing 737-700 (WestJet) (3858035487).jpg |caption2=[[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-700]]
|image3=C-GJWS B737-8CTW WestJet YVR 16MAY09 (3538139122).jpg |caption3=[[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800]]
|image4=C-FNWD Boeing 737 MAX 8 WestJet Airlines YVR 04JUL18.jpg |caption4=[[Boeing 737 MAX|Boeing 737 MAX 8]]
|image5=WestJet 767-300 in Calgary (Quintin Soloviev).png |caption5=[[Boeing 767-300]]
|image6=WestJet, C-GURP, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (49585738596).jpg |caption6=[[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-9]]
}}
{{As of|2020|7}}, WestJet operates an all-[[Boeing]] mainline fleet, consisting of the following aircraft:<ref name="fleet">{{TCregister|WESTJET|WestJet|January 21, 2020}}</ref><ref name=737_O_D_summ>{{cite web|title=Boeing Commercial Airplanes – Orders and Deliveries – 737 Model Summary|url=http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=737&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=737&ViewReportF=View+Report|website=boeing.com|publisher=Boeing|date=June 30, 2016|accessdate=August 4, 2016}}</ref>
<center>
{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center"
|+ WestJet fleet
|-
! rowspan="2" | Aircraft
! rowspan="2" | In service
! rowspan="2" | Orders
! colspan="4" | Passengers
! rowspan="2" | Notes
|-
! <abbr title="Business">J</abbr>
! <abbr title="Premium Economy">W</abbr>
! <abbr title="Economy">Y</abbr>
! Total
|-
|[[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-600]]
|13
|—
|—
|12
|101
|113
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-700]]
|52
|—
|—
|12
|122
|134
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800]]
|39
|—
|—
|12
|162
|174
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737 MAX|Boeing 737 MAX 7]]
|—
|22
|—
|12
|134
|146
|Deliveries to begin in 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.westjet.com/assets/wj-web/documents/en/about-us/financialReports/WestJet-2018-Q2-Report.pdf|title=WestJet's 2018 Second Quarter Report|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing 737 MAX|Boeing 737 MAX 8]]
|13
|9
|—
|12
|162
|174
|[[Boeing 737 MAX groundings|Grounded]] since March 2019.
|-
|[[Boeing 737 MAX|Boeing 737 MAX 10]]
|—
|12
|colspan="4"|<abbr title="To Be Announced">TBA</abbr>
|Deliveries to begin in 2022.<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300ER]]
|4
|—
|—
|24
|238
|262
|
|-
|[[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-9]]
|6
|4
|16
|28
|276
|320
|Ordered with 10 options.<ref>{{cite web|title=WestJet to purchase Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners|url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/westjet-to-purchase-boeing-787-9-dreamliners-620981043.html|website=newswire.ca|publisher=newswire.ca|date=May 2, 2017|accessdate=May 2, 2017}}</ref>
|-
!Total
!127
!47
!colspan="5"|
|}
</center>
===Fleet strategy===
The mainline fleet currently consists exclusively of Boeing aircraft, while wholly owned subsidiary Encore flies [[Bombardier Aerospace|Bombardier]] [[Dash 8 Q400]]s. 20 examples were originally ordered with options for up to 25 more. The first two examples were delivered in mid-June 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://calgaryherald.com/travel/WestJet+receives+keys+planes+begins+planning+march+east/8493319/story.html |title=WestJet receives keys to new planes as it begins planning for 'march east' |newspaper=Calgary Herald |date=2013-06-07 |accessdate=2013-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609233649/http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/WestJet+receives+keys+planes+begins+planning+march+east/8493319/story.html |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Scheduled passenger service on these aircraft began on June 24, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airlinereporter.com/2013/06/westjet-encore-launch-day/ |title=WestJet Encore Celebrates Inaugural Q400 Flight from Calgary |publisher= Airline Reporter |date=2013-06-24 |accessdate=2013-06-24}}</ref> The first [[Boeing 737-700]] delivery took place in 2001, and the first deliveries of [[Boeing 737-600]] and [[Boeing 737-800]] aircraft began in 2005, with the final 737-600 aircraft delivered in September 2006.
Boeing confirmed on August 2, 2007 that WestJet had placed an order for 23 [[Boeing 737 Next Generation]] aircraft. The order was primarily for [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-700]] but with conversion rights to [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800]]s.<ref>{{cite press release| title = Boeing Confirms WestJet Order for 23 Next-Generation Boeing 737 Airplanes| publisher = The Boeing Company| date = 2007-08-02| url = http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q3/070802c_nr.html| accessdate = 2009-02-23| url-status = dead| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090316092815/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q3/070802c_nr.html| archivedate = March 16, 2009| df = mdy-all}}</ref>
In the winter season, WestJet has temporarily [[wet lease]]d some [[Boeing 757]] aircraft to expand service between Alberta and Hawaii. From February through April 2011, a single aircraft was leased for this purpose;<ref name="mediaroom1"/><ref name="seattlepi1"/> in the winter of 2011-12, a single aircraft was again leased.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/WestJet%20Airlines-history-b757.htm|title=Boeing 757 in WestJet Airlines history|publisher=Airfleets.net|accessdate=January 17, 2013}}</ref> For the winter seasons from 2012 to 2015, this was expanded to two aircraft.<ref name="tcx">{{cite web|url=http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/travel/basics/security-travel-alert/alberta-hawaii.shtml|title=Non-stop flights between Alberta and Hawaii on Thomas Cook Airlines|publisher=WestJet|accessdate=January 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/WestJet%20Airlines-active-b757.htm|title=Boeing 757 Active with WestJet Airlines|publisher=Airfleets.net|accessdate=2013-01-17 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In April 2013, it was announced that WestJet would sell ten of its oldest 737-700s and purchase ten 737-800s to modernize and increase capacity of its fleet.
In May 2014, CEO Gregg Saretsky announced that WestJet was considering acquiring [[wide-body aircraft]] to operate long-haul international routes. By July of the same year, Saretsky confirmed that wide-body service would begin in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-plans-to-fly-wide-body-planes-by-fall-2015-1.2698924 |work=CBC News |title=WestJet plans to fly wide-body planes by fall 2015|date=2014-07-07 |accessdate=2015-08-10 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In late June 2014, WestJet announced that the wide-body aircraft were to be second-hand [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300ERs]] sourced from Qantas.<ref name="skiesmag.com">{{cite web|url=http://skiesmag.com/news/westjetgoeswidebodyboeing767entersservice/ |title=WestJet goes widebody: Boeing 767 enters service - Skies Magazine|work=skiesmag.com |accessdate=2016-10-12 |date=2015-11-06 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The four Boeing 767s were an average of 25 years old, which means that they needed frequent repairs and downtime for sourcing parts.<ref name=Londonflightscut>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Tracy|title=WestJet cuts back on London flights to try to curb delays and cancellations|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-london-gatwick-still-probelms-1.4131987|accessdate=2017-07-13 |work=CBC News |date=2017-05-30 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> This resulted in a poor on-time performance of 38 percent in 2016,<ref name=Londonflightscut/> costing the airline approximately $5 million in the second quarter of 2016.<ref name=Londonflightscut/> In 2017, Westjet reduced the number of flights from Winnipeg and Edmonton to reduce utilization of the planes for the summer 2017, to cope with any unforeseen delays or cancellations.<ref name=Londonflightscut/>
In late December 2016, 77% of WestJet pilots approved a new deal that will increase pay for pilots flying wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 767, Boeing 787 and [[Airbus A330]]. In a statement, the airline said that it was seeking more large aircraft with the intention of adding new destinations. Saretsky also stated that he hoped for wide-body growth to be responsible, but quick. As of May 2, 2017, WestJet announced the purchase of up to 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft; 10 were firm orders with deliveries from 2019 through 2021, and 10 were options for delivery between 2020 and 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-widebodied-expansion-1.3921395 |title=With pilots deal, WestJet set to expand long-haul flights |last=Johnson |first=Tracy |work=CBC News |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106144611/http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-widebodied-expansion-1.3921395 |archivedate=January 6, 2017 |url-status=live |date=2017-01-05 |accessdate=2017-01-08 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WestJet to pursue more widebody aircraft following pilots' approval |last=Karp |first=Aaron |work=Air Transport World |date=2016-12-27 |url=http://atwonline.com/airlines/westjet-pursue-more-widebody-aircraft-following-pilots-approval |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229152118/http://atwonline.com/airlines/westjet-pursue-more-widebody-aircraft-following-pilots-approval |archivedate=December 29, 2016 |accessdate=2017-01-08 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
===Historical fleet===
In early 2005 it was announced that the [[Boeing 737-200]] fleet would be retired and replaced by newer, more fuel-efficient 737 Next Generation series 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.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}
On January 9, 2006, the last Boeing 737-200 was flown during a [[Flypast|fly-by]] ceremony at the WestJet hangar in Calgary, piloted by WestJet founder Don Bell and was a [[Charter airline|charter flight]] from Las Vegas to Calgary.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}
In 2003 and 2004, WestJet donated two of its 737-200s to post-secondary schools in western Canada, one to the [[British Columbia Institute of Technology]]<ref>{{cite press release| title = WestJet donates 737-200 aircraft to BCIT Aerospace| publisher = British Columbia Institute of Technology| date = 2003-10-01| url = https://www.bcit.ca/news/releases/newsrelease100103101.shtml| accessdate = 2009-02-23| df = mdy-all| url-status = dead| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20040703001512/http://www.bcit.ca/news/releases/newsrelease100103101.shtml| archivedate = July 3, 2004}}</ref> and a second to the [[Southern Alberta Institute of Technology]]'s Art Smith Aero Centre.<ref>{{cite press release| title = WestJet Donates Boeing 737-200 Aircraft to SAIT's Art Smith Aero Centre for Training and Technology| publisher = CCNMatthews| date = 2004-10-21| url = http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/WestJet-Donates-Boeing-737-200-Aircraft-SAITs-Art-Smith-Aero-Centre-Training-Technology-436843.htm| accessdate = 2011-03-05 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Fleet timeline===
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible navbox"
! colspan="26" class="navbox-title" | WestJet fleet timeline, 1996–present<ref>{{cite web |title=Westjet Fleet Details and History |url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/WestJet?sort=dd&p=3 |website=planespotters.net |accessdate=26 October 2018}}</ref>
|- style="background:#F0F0F0;"
| colspan="4" style="width:33%;"| 1990s
| colspan="10" style="width:33%;"| 2000s
| colspan="10" style="width:33%;"| 2010s
|- style="background:#F0F0F0;"
|width=2%|6||width=2%|7||width=2%|8||width=2%|9||width=2%|0||width=2%|1||width=2%|2
|width=2%|3||width=2%|4||width=2%|5||width=2%|6||width=2%|7||width=2%|8||width=2%|9
|width=2%|0||width=2%|1||width=2%|2||width=2%|3||width=2%|4||width=2%|5||width=2%|6||width=2%|7||width=2%|8||width=2%|9
|- style="background:#E0E0E0;"
| colspan="11" style="background:silver;" | [[Boeing 737-200]]
| colspan="13" style="background:#F0F0F0;"|
|- style="background:#EOE0E0;"
| colspan="9" style="background:#F0F0F0;"|
| colspan="15" style="background:silver;" | [[Boeing 737-600]]
|- style="background:#EOE0E0;"
| colspan="5" style="background:#F0F0F0;"|
| colspan="19" style="background:silver;" | [[Boeing 737-700]]
|- style="background:#EOE0E0;"
| colspan="9" style="background:#F0F0F0;"|
| colspan="15" style="background:silver;" | [[Boeing 737-800]]
|- style="background:#EOE0E0;"
| colspan="21" style="background:#F0F0F0;"|
| colspan="3" style="background:silver;" | [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]]
|- style="background:#EOE0E0;"
| colspan="18" style="background:#F0F0F0;"|
| colspan="6" style="background:silver;" | [[Boeing 767-300ER]]
|- style="background:#EOE0E0;"
| colspan="23" style="background:#F0F0F0;"|
| colspan="1" style="background:silver;" | [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-9 <small>Dreamliner</small>]]
|- style="background:#E0E0E0;"
| colspan="15" style="background:#F0F0F0;"|
| colspan="5" style="background:silver;" |[[Boeing 757]] <small>(Leased from [[Thomas Cook Group|Thomas cook]])</small>
| colspan="4" style="background:#F0F0F0;"|
|}
===Livery===
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = horizontal
| image1 = Westjet Special Livery.jpg
| caption1 = "Care-antee"
| width1 = 150
| image2 = C-GWSZ WestJet Disney World Taxi 4x6 JTPI 9583 (14506124729).jpg
| caption2 = "Magic Plane", a [[Fantasia (1940 film)|''Fantasia'']]-themed livery promoting Walt Disney World
| width2 = 150
| image3 = WestJet100NG.jpg
| caption3 = #100Boeing737NG subtitle adorns the lower fuselage of the 100th Boeing 737 NG aircraft received by the airline
| width3 = 175
| footer = Special liveries used by WestJet
|}}
WestJet's aircraft are painted white except for the lettering on the fuselage, wings and [[vertical stabilizer]], except for special examples as noted below.
The tail is divided roughly into slanted thirds, coloured (from front to back) navy blue, white and teal. This pattern is used on the outside of the [[Wingtip device|blended winglets]] at the end of the wings while, on the inside, the winglets are painted white with "WestJet.com" in dark blue lettering.
In February 2010 WestJet introduced a special livery on one Boeing 737-800 aircraft promoting its customer-service promise, or "Care-antee", in both English and French. This aircraft also featured a new tail design. In 2013, the Care-antee aircraft underwent a second livery change in partnership with [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]], featuring [[Mickey Mouse]] from the movie [[Fantasia (1940 film)|''Fantasia'']] and adopting the name "Magic Plane". A second Disney aircraft was completed in 2015, named "[[Frozen (2013 film)|''Frozen'']] Plane", with characters Elsa and Anna on the vertical stabilizer and a similar theme in the cabin.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.westjet.com/disney-frozen-themed-plane/|title=Our second custom-painted aircraft, inspired by Disney's Frozen|author=Hounstow, Greg|publisher=WestJet|date=2015-10-10|accessdate=2015-10-19 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
In May 2018, WestJet unveiled a new livery, the first significant change since the inception of the company. It includes a new font for the word "WestJet"; written across the middle of the aircraft fuselage is "The Spirit of Canada" on the [[Port and starboard|port side]] and "L'esprit du Canada" on the [[Port and starboard|starboard side]]. An updated, stylized maple leaf on the aircraft tail is also included.<ref>{{cite web |title=WestJet unveils its Dreamliner 'Spirit of Canada' to the world |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/westjet-unveils-its-dreamliner-spirit-of-canada-to-the-world-682083381.html |website=Cision |publisher=WestJet |accessdate=2018-06-02 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
On Jan 17, 2019, WestJet's first Dreamliner was delivered with the name 'Clive Beddoe', a tribute to one of its founder and former chairman of the board of directors. The aircraft is painted in its new livery.
==Services==
=== In-flight services ===
==== In-flight entertainment ====
[[File:WestjetIn-FlightEntertainment.JPG|thumb|An example of LiveTV, WestJet's in-flight entertainment system that is currently used in their Boeing 737-600 aircraft.]]
[[File:WestJet seatback.jpg|thumb|The seatback pocket on board a WestJet Boeing 737 NG aircraft.]]
The majority of WestJet's 737-600 aircraft feature a 5-inch seat-back TV. The system utilizes satellite TV only available for use while the aircraft is flying above Canada. Channels include various news, sports and children's channels such as [[Global TV]], [[CBC Television|CBC]], [[The Sports Network|TSN]], and a WestJet Channel, which shows a regional map with the aircraft's location, [[GPS]] derived altitude and [[groundspeed]]. The TV control is in the armrest. This system is currently being retired in favor of WestJet Connect.
WestJet's 767, 737 MAX, 737-700, -800 and select -600 aircraft feature WestJet Connect, an in-flight entertainment system where passengers use their own mobile devices and laptops. The service includes free access to hundreds of TV shows and movies, paid access to the internet, and access to USB and 110 V power at every seat.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inflight entertainment |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/inflight/entertainment |website=www.westjet.com |language=en}}</ref>
WestJet's 787 aircraft features WestJet Connect and large touchscreen seatback monitors at every seat. The monitors include access to hundreds of TV shows and movies, music, magazines, and games like [[Angry Birds]] World Tour, and many more. Complimentary headphones are also included at every seat, with business and premium class offering noise-cancelling headphones and economy with standard earbuds. USB and 110 V power are also included at every seat.
WestJet Encore aircraft are not equipped with any in-flight entertainment.
==== In-flight food and beverage ====
On flights less than four hours, WestJet offers complimentary beverages and snacks. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
On flights four hours and more, WestJet offers complimentary beverages and snacks, and a [[buy-on-board]] meal service in economy on all aircraft. In premium and business class, a complimentary meal and alcoholic beverages are included. When flying internationally on their 787, a complimentary meal , as well as, alcoholic beverages are included in all classes.
WestJet's 737-600 and -700 aircraft offer cold sandwiches, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
WestJet's 737-800, 737 MAX, 767-300ER and 787-9 aircraft offer hot/cold meals, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
=== Cabins ===
====Business====
Business class is offered on 787 aircraft and offer private pods, with direct aisle access. The seats feature electronic flat beds in a 1-2-1 configuration. Complimentary on demand dining, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included. On international flights, an amenity kit is provided. WestJet's business class is the only airline in Canada with fully extendable privacy screens.<ref>{{cite web |title=Business |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/inflight/business |website=www.westjet.com |language=en}}</ref>
====Premium====
Premium class is offered on all Jet aircraft. It varies depending on aircraft type.
On WestJet's 787, premium is in a separate, dedicated cabin. Larger seats with greater recline are offered in a 2-3-2 configuration. Complimentary hot meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included. A self-serve social area is also available. On international flights, an amenity kit is provided.
On WestJet's 767, premium is in a separate, dedicated cabin. Larger seats with greater recline are offered in a 2-2-2 configuration. Complimentary hot meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included. On international flights, an amenity kit is provided.
On WestJet's 737 MAX, premium is separated from economy with sky dividers. Larger seats with greater recline are offered in a 2-2 configuration. Complimentary hot meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included.
On WestJet's 737-600, -700 and -800, premium is not separated from economy. Seats in premium are the first three rows, which include extra legroom, and a middle seat blocker. These seats are offered in a 3-3 configuration, with the middle seat blocked. WestJet is phasing all 737 aircraft from economy seating with a middle seat blocker to premium 2x2 seats. Complimentary cold sandwiches, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included.<ref>{{cite web |title=Premium |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/inflight/premium |website=www.westjet.com |language=en}}</ref>
====Economy====
Economy class varies depending on aircraft type.
On WestJet's 787, economy seats have a pitch of 31" and are offered in a 3-3-3 configuration. Complimentary hot meals and alcoholic beverages are included when flying internationally.
On WestJet's 767, economy seats have a pitch of 31" and are offered in a 2-3-2 configuration. Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are included.
On WestJet's 737 MAX, 737-600, -700 and -800, economy seats have a pitch of 31"-34" and are offered in a 3-3 configuration. Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are included.<ref>{{cite web |title=Economy |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/inflight/economy |website=www.westjet.com |language=en}}</ref>
===Airport lounges===
WestJet does not operate its own lounges, although it is in the process of developing company-owned and operated lounges in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, its three main hubs. WestJet has agreements with third-party service providers to provide pay-per-use access for customers, and free access to Gold and Platinum members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/book-trip/business-travel/airport-lounges |title=Airport lounges |publisher=Westjet.com |date= |accessdate=2017-08-15}}</ref> These agreements include lounges in the following airports:
{{col div}}
* [[Calgary International Airport|Calgary]] (3) - Chinook Lounge (Domestic), Aspire Lounge (Transborder)
* [[Edmonton International Airport|Edmonton]] (2) - Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic/Intl), Plaza Premium Lounge (Transborder)
* [[Norman Manley International Airport|Kingston, Jamaica]] - Club Kingston
* [[Gatwick Airport|London]] (2) - My Lounge, No1 Lounge
* [[Sangster International Airport|Montego Bay, Jamaica]] - Club MoBay
* [[Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport|Montreal]] - National Bank World MasterCard Lounge (Intl)
* [[Quebec City Airport|Quebec City]] - V.I.P. Lounge
* [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto]] (3) - Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic), Plaza Premium Lounge (Intl), Plaza Premium Lounge (Transborder)
* [[Vancouver International Airport|Vancouver]] (4) - Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic, Pier B), Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic, Pier C), Plaza Premium Lounge (Transborder), Plaza Premium (Intl)
* [[Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport|Winnipeg]] - Plaza Premium Lounge (Domestic)
{{col div end}}
==Accidents and incidents==
* June 5, 2015 - WestJet Flight 588, a Boeing 737-600 (registration C-GWCT) flying from [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]] overran the runway into grass at [[Montreal Trudeau International Airport]] during heavy rain. The aircraft was not damaged.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/aviation/2015/a15q0075/a15q0075.pdf |title=Aviation Investigation Report |publisher=Transportation Safety Board of Canada |df=mdy-all |date=2017}} Retrieved 2018-01-28.</ref>
* January 5, 2018 - WestJet Flight 2425, a Boeing 737 flight from Cancun to Toronto, was struck while parked and on approach to the gate by a [[Sunwing Airlines]] Boeing 737 being towed at Toronto Pearson International Airport. A fire on the Sunwing aircraft's tail was put out by fire crews at the airport. 168 passengers and 6 crew were onboard the WestJet aircraft and were evacuated but none were injured; the Sunwing aircraft had no passengers as it was being re-positioned.<ref>{{cite web |title=WestJet passengers evacuated after plane clips jet on Pearson tarmac |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/05/two-planes-collide-at-toronto-airport-westjet-says-passengers-evacuated-from-its-flight.html |last=Arnone |first=Annie |date=2018-01-05 |access-date=2018-01-05 |df=mdy-all |work=The Star}} Retrieved 2018-01-28.</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Transportation Safety Board of Canada|title=Aviation Investigation A18O0002|url=http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/enquetes-investigations/aviation/2018/a18o0002/a18o0002.asp|website=www.tsb.gc.ca|accessdate=23 May 2018|language=en}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
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* {{Official website|http://www.westjet.com}}
* [http://www.westjetmagazine.com WestJet Magazine, WestJet's inflight magazine]
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