Category Archives: WestJet

WestJet celebrates summer with new route between London, ON and Montreal

WestJet today announced it is adding more choice for travelers in London, Ontario and Montreal this summer with a new daily service starting June 24 through October 15 on WestJet Encore.

WestJet is the largest airline in London, and this summer will operate six flights per day from London, ON to three Canadian cities including Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. The airline will also operate 23 flights per day from Montreal including two times daily to Vancouver, three times daily to Calgary, daily to Edmonton and Winnipeg, 13 times daily to Toronto, twice daily to Halifax and daily to London, ON.

Details of WestJet’s service between London and Montreal:

Route	Frequency	Departing	Arriving	Effective
London – Montreal	Daily	10:20 a.m.	11:45 a.m.	June 24, 2019
Montreal – London	Daily	12:15 p.m.	1:49 p.m.	June 24, 2019

Top Copyright Photo: WestJet Encore Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-GDEW (msn 4563) YYC (Ken Petersen). Image: 945784.

WestJet Encore aircraft slide show:

WestJet launches its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner revenue flight

WestJet’s Dreamliner made its official debut when it pushed back on its first revenue flight on February 20 from Toronto Pearson International Airport. The aircraft, heading for Calgary, was carrying WestJet guests for the first time.

WestJet Dreamliner launches first revenue flight (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)

The aircraft will operate on domestic flights for crew training and regulatory compliance before the first scheduled international flight between Calgary and London (Gatwick) on April 28.

WestJet took delivery of its first of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in January 2019 and the second Dreamliner arrived on February 19, 2019. The airline will receive the third aircraft in March. Hub locations and routes for the remaining seven aircraft have not yet been announced.

WestJet also has options for an additional 10 aircraft to arrive between 2020 and 2024.

All photos by WestJet.

WestJet showcases its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Westjet invited the media to tour its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner:

WestJet reports fourth quarter and full year results

WestJet (TSX: WJA) today announced its fourth quarter and year end results for 2018, with full year net earnings of $91.5 million, or $0.80 per fully diluted share. This compares with net earnings of $279.1 million, or $2.38per fully diluted share in the full year 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2018 the airline achieved net earnings of $29.2 million, or $0.26 per fully diluted share. This result compares with net earnings of $47.8 million, or $0.41 per fully diluted share reported in the fourth quarter of 2017.

“In 2018 we executed several significant milestones on our path to becoming a high-value global network airline,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “As we enter 2019, we continue to build momentum and are well-positioned to deliver on our strategic initiatives and expand margins. I would like to thank every WestJetter for their hard work through an especially busy holiday season culminating in our WestJet mainline business achieving the highest completion rate in North America in December, as measured by FlightStats.”

Operating highlights (stated in Canadian dollars)

	Q4 2018	Q4 2017	Change	Full year 2018	Full year 2017	Change
Net earnings (millions)	$29.2	$47.8	(39.0%)	$91.5	$279.1	(67.2%)
Diluted earnings per share	$0.26	$0.41	(36.6%)	$0.80	$2.38	(66.4%)
Total revenue (millions)	$1,193.3	$1,119.1	6.6%	$4,733.5	$4,506.7	5.0%
Operating margin	4.1%	6.9%	(2.8 pts)	3.3%	9.6%	(6.3 pts)
ASMs (available seat miles) (billions)	8.109	7.659	5.9%	32.939	30.998	6.3%
RPMs (revenue passenger miles) (billions)	6.615	6.329	4.5%	27.587	25.904	6.5%
Load factor	81.6%	82.6%	(1.0 pts)	83.8%	83.6%	0.2 pts
Segment guests	6,185,541	6,010,069	2.9%	25,491,290	24,137,477	5.6%
Yield (revenue per revenue passenger mile) (cents)	18.04	17.68	(2.0%)	17.16	17.40	(1.4%)
RASM (revenue per available seat mile) (cents)	14.72	14.61	0.7%	14.37	14.54	(1.2%)
CASM (cost per available seat mile) (cents)	14.11	13.61	3.7%	13.90	13.14	5.8%
Fuel costs per litre (cents)	83	69	20.3%	81	64	26.6%
CASM, excluding fuel and employee profit share (cents)*	10.29	10.26	0.3%	10.11	9.93	1.8%


	*Refer to reconciliations in the accompanying tables for further information regarding calculations.

Note: All values in the above table are at a consolidated WestJet group level

WestJet announces its summer schedule, will add Austin and Portland

WestJet has announced its 2019 summer schedule adding more than 40 flights to and from key business and tourism destinations from Toronto, Halifax, St. John’s, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

In addition, the airline will add Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas to WestJet’s network and announced a new route between Edmonton and St. John’s.

As part of WestJet’s 2019 summer schedule, the new nonstop daily service between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Portland International Airport (PDX), along with twice-weekly service to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) will begin April 29 and May 2 respectively. Additionally, WestJet also announced a new three times weekly route between Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and St. John’s (YYT) starting July 2.

Route	Frequency	Departing	Arriving	Effective
Calgary – Portland	Daily	10:30 a.m	11:17 a.m	April 29, 2019
Portland – Calgary	Daily	12:10 p.m	2:57 p.m	April. 29, 2019
Calgary – Austin	Twice Weekly	10 a.m	2:43 p.m	May 2, 2019
Austin – Calgary	Twice Weekly	3:35 p.m	6:31 p.m	May 2, 2019
Edmonton – St. John’s	Three Weekly	9:15 p.m	6:09 a.m. (+1)	June 25, 2019
St. John’s-Edmonton	Three Weekly	9 a.m	11:40 a.m	June 26, 2019

This summer, WestJet will operate over 750 daily flights in peak summer to 92 destinations including 42 in Canada, 23 in the United States, 27 in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and five in Europe.

The schedule also includes previously announced service to Atlanta, Ga., and Barcelona, Spain along with nonstop service to London (Gatwick), Paris and Dublin from Calgary on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Highlights of WestJet’s 2019 summer schedule include:

CALGARY

Calgary–Houston, from 12 weekly flights to 13 weekly flights.
Calgary–London (Gatwick), adding two weekly flights with daily 787 Dreamliner service.
Calgary–Orlando, from once weekly to twice weekly.
Calgary–Phoenix, will double service from once daily to twice daily.
Calgary–Puerto Vallarta, from three times weekly to four times weekly.
Calgary–San Diego, from three times weekly to four times weekly.
Calgary–San Francisco, will double service from once daily to twice daily.
Calgary-Kitchener, from seven weekly flights to eight weekly flights.

EDMONTON

New non-stop three times weekly service between Edmonton and St. John’s.
Edmonton–Halifax, from nine weekly flights to 10 weekly flights.

TORONTO

Toronto–Nashville, from seven weekly flights to 10 weekly flights.
Toronto–Grand Cayman, will double service from once weekly to twice weekly.
Toronto–Kingston, from three weekly flights to four times weekly.
Toronto–Liberia, will double service from once weekly to twice weekly.
Toronto–Montego Bay, from 11 weekly flights to 12 weekly flights.
Toronto–Nassau from six to seven times weekly.
Toronto-Saint Maarten, will double service from once weekly to twice weekly.
Toronto–Halifax, adding five weekly flights for seven-times daily service Monday to Friday.
Toronto–Charlottetown, adding two weekly flights.
Toronto–London, from two times daily to three times daily.

VANCOUVER

Extension of existing once weekly winter seasonal service between Vancouver and Orlando.

HALIFAX

Halifax–Winnipeg, from four weekly flights to five times weekly.
Halifax–Edmonton, from nine weekly flights to 10 weekly flights.
Halifax–Toronto, adding five weekly flights for seven-times daily service Monday to Friday.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): WestJet Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 C-GAMQ (msn 60518) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 945350.

WestJet aircraft slide show:

WestJet enters a new global era with the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrival

WestJet’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (C-GUDH), named in honor of the airline’s chairman and founder, Clive Beddoe, was delivered to WestJet’s hometown of Calgary on January 17, marking a new global era for Canada’s favorite airline.

The aircraft departed Everett, Wash., in the morning after a naming ceremony in the presence of Mr. Beddoe, members of the WestJet executive team and select WestJetters.

WestJet will use its 320-seat Dreamliner to begin longer-range flying while giving guests a choice of Economy, Premium and Business cabins.

WestJet’s Dreamliners feature WestJet’s first lie-flat business cabin seats accompanied by luxurious blankets and pillows, turndown service and in-seat TVs, offering a premium service with a distinctly Canadian feel. WestJet Premium will offer seats in a 2x3x2 configuration, an elevated guest experience with a separate and private cabin, cozy blankets and pillows available on every seat along with a self-serve social area.

The aircraft also features the Boeing-designed turbulence-dampening technology, improved air quality to reduce jetlag and larger windows that give an increased sense of space.

The first Dreamliner will fly guests domestically on Toronto/Calgary routes starting February 20 to assist with crew familiarisation before the first international service from Calgary to London (Gatwick) on April 28.

The second and third WestJet Dreamliners are currently on the production line at Boeing’s factory and will be delivered in February and March this year to coincide with the start of Calgary–Paris and Calgary–Dublin services respectively.

All photos by WestJet.

Videos:

WestJet, Swoop and ALPA receive arbitrator’s award on first collective agreement for pilots

WestJet has stated it has received the award of the arbitrator, Mr. William Kaplan, in the interest arbitration between WestJet, Swoop and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

The arbitrator’s award, which is binding on all parties, follows mediated negotiations and formal arbitration hearings that have taken place since May 2018. The award sets the terms for the first collective agreement including all outstanding terms and conditions of employment for pilots at WestJet and Swoop.

“Today’s award provides WestJet the ability to grow, operate a sustainable business and to compete effectively in the current operating environment,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “The conclusion of this first agreement allows us to now turn our attention to the arrival of WestJet’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner and our transition to a global network carrier. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our pilots as we deliver on our global future.”

ALPA represents approximately 1,600 WestJet and Swoop pilots not including WestJet Encore. WestJet Encore pilots are represented by ALPA in a separate bargaining unit, which is currently engaged in collective bargaining with the company.

WestJet will meet with ALPA leadership in early January 2019 to review the terms of the award and work towards finalizing the collective agreement. Due to the scope and complexity of the work required, the airline will not provide further comment at this time. WestJet remains committed to working directly with the pilots’ representation. The details of the collective agreement will be communicated when finalized.

In other news, WestJet on December 21 set a new record for guests flown in a single day for the fourth time this year. The group, including WestJet, WestJet Encore, Swoop and WestJet Link flew 82,618 guests, surpassing the previous record of 80,219 guests set on August 7, 2018.

WestJet comments on pending passenger protection regulations

WestJet has commented on the federal government’s announcement concerning the pending release in Gazette One of passenger protection regulations.

“As a company, taking care of our guests is central to our brand and fundamental to our business,” said Mike McNaney, WestJet Vice-President, Industry, Corporate and Airport Affairs. “We are proud of our award-winning culture of care, and our guest service is a source of innovation and investment that has seen us recognized as the best airline in Canada for 2017 and 2018 based on reviews by the travelling public on TripAdvisor.”

Said McNaney, “With over one million base fares in the market under $100, our upcoming 787 Dreamliner launch, and the launch of our ultra-low-cost carrier, Swoop, we are delivering for Canadians by lowering the cost of travel, increasing choice and competition and creating jobs in many key sectors of the economy.”

Once the draft regulations are released on Saturday, December 22, WestJet will review the regulations for potential impact on the obligations of our partners in the air travel supply chain, including federal government agencies, along with potential impacts on airfares and consumers.

We look forward to the opportunity to participate in the upcoming public consultation to ensure the draft regulations achieve the appropriate balance sought by the Minister of Transport.

First Looks: WestJet’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

WestJet has releases these photos of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (C-GUDH).

WestJet comment on flight crew fatigue regulations

WestJet today provided the following comment on federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s flight crew fatigue regulations.

“The safety of our guests and our crew is of utmost importance,” said Scott Wilson, WestJet Vice-President, Operations. “We welcome the Minister’s announcement outlining the move to new flight and duty time regulations. Utilizing scientific principles on fatigue will provide prevention and mitigation while aligning with international standards and best practices.”

As outlined in the new regulations, WestJet will work to implement the updated crew fatigue standards over the next 24 months.

WestJet has provided safe flying to Canadians since 1996 and now operates more than 700 daily flights to more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe.