WestJet today announced that it’s connecting Alberta to the world as it launches its first three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner international destinations from Calgary. WestJet becomes the first Canadian airline to base its Dreamliner aircraft out of YYC Calgary International Airport.
WestJet is launching nonstop service on board its Dreamliners from Calgary to London (Gatwick), Paris and Dublin on April 28, May 17 and June 1, 2019, respectively.
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The international scheduled service between Calgary and London (Gatwick), Paris and Dublin will support 650 full-time jobs and $100 million in total economic output. This is in addition to WestJet’s yearly economic output of more than $5 billion, that supports more than 32,000 direct and indirect jobs in Alberta. Overall WestJet’s national economic impact on Canada annually generates $17.4 billion and supports more than 153,000 jobs.*
The three new flights from the UK and Western Europe are expected to eventually bring up to 185,000 visitors to Calgary on a yearly basis, helping also increase local tourism.
The first of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners ordered by WestJet will arrive in Calgary early in 2019, with two more arriving by April. The aircraft will operate on domestic flights for crew training and regulatory compliance before the first scheduled international flight in April. WestJet also has options for an additional 10 aircraft to arrive between 2020 and 2024. Hub locations and routes for the remaining seven aircraft have not yet been announced.
WestJet’s Dreamliners will carry 320 guests in a three-class cabin configuration including the airline’s newly revealed Business cabin featuring 16 private pods with lie-flat seats, an upscale Premium cabin and an updated Economy cabin. The Dreamliner route from Calgary to London (Gatwick) will replace the Boeing 767 service that currently operates the route from Calgary.
WestJet has optimized connections to and from the airline’s network across Canada and Western U.S. through the airline’s YYC hub.
WestJet is Calgary’s largest airline, and by June 2019, will offer flights to 65 non-stop destinations with an average of 1,100 flights per week from YYC. More Calgarians choose WestJet for their air travel than any other airline.
Details of WestJet’s new non-stop Dreamliner service:
| Route | Frequency | Departing | Arriving | Effective |
| Calgary – London (Gatwick) | Daily | 7:20 p.m. | 11:00 a.m. +1 | April 28, 2019 |
| London (Gatwick) – Calgary | Daily | 1:30 p.m. | 3:40 p.m. | April 29, 2019 |
| Calgary – Paris | Four times weekly | 7:20 p.m. | 12:10 p.m. +1 | May 17, 2019 |
| Paris – Calgary | Four times weekly | 2:10 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | May 18, 2019 |
| Calgary – Dublin | Three times weekly | 8:45 p.m. | 11:38 a.m. +1 | June 1, 2019 |
| Dublin– Calgary | Three times weekly | 1:45 p.m. | 3:05 p.m. | June 2, 2019 |
| *The Economic Impact of WestJet (2019) B787-900 International Scheduled Air Services: Calgary – Dublin/London Gatwick/Paris prepared by RP ERICKSON & ASSOCIATES AVIATION CONSULTANTS CALGARY, ALBERTA |
WestJet today unveiled its refreshed brand including a national advertising campaign, its first three international Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner routes and a new Platinum WestJet Rewards tier at an event in downtown Calgary.
Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO, was joined for the announcement by Canadian community and business leaders.
The refreshed brand image outlines WestJet’s global ambitions and heralds new products aimed at international and Premium travellers. Called, Love Where You’re Going, the new WestJet commercial is seen below.
“Today’s announcement marks a pivotal time for WestJet,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “Love where you’re going embodies both the thrill of travel and the sheer ambition we at WestJet have for our airline. Our 13,000 WestJetters are unique assets, and what we deliver for our 24 million guests is something that cannot be replicated.”
Guests will start to see the updated brand image and positioning reflected in many of WestJet’s assets including westjet.com, WestJet’s airport presence over time across Canada and gradually across the fleet.
In addition to the announcement of the brand refresh, Sims also revealed today in Calgary that WestJet will launch its first three 787 Dreamliner non-stop routes from Calgary to Paris, Dublin and London to become the first Canadian airline to base its Dreamliner aircraft out of YYC Calgary International Airport. Both announcements will have substantial beneficial economic impacts on the Alberta region.
Finally, as part of the new WestJet, Sims also announced that WestJet Rewards will introduce a new Platinum tier, making it easier for WestJet Rewards members to get even more value from the frequent flyer program as the airline heads global. The tier is targeted for launch later this year. Details on the new WestJet Rewards Platinum tier and other changes to the program can be found here.
All images by WestJet.
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