WestJet issued this holiday message and video:

This year, Christmas looks different for Canadians and airline communities from coast-to-coast. This season’s WestJet Christmas Miracle: the season to give video (below) highlights why it’s important for the spirit of giving to remain strong during difficult times.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, WestJet, with the help of WestJetters, have donated more than 1.3 million items nationwide. For this year’s Christmas Miracle, the airline hopes to inspire this same giving.

“Even though we may be apart, by giving together we can inspire new traditions and uplift spirits during these challenging times,” said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. “Throughout the pandemic, Canadians have been stepping up for each other and this holiday season we encourage everyone to celebrate the spirit of Christmas by giving from the heart and supporting local organizations with acts of care.”

To find out how to donate click here.

During this year’s Christmas Miracle, WestJet aircraft and delivery vehicles took to the skies and the roads as WestJetters set out close to home to safely deliver items and care packages for charitable partners, community organizations and healthcare facilities. WestJetters donning Blue Santa hats and following local safety protocols, delivered blankets, personal protective equipment and food to shelters, hot meals to frontline workers and gifts to seniors and children to spread the holiday spirit. A full breakdown of items donated throughout 2020 is available here.

The Christmas Miracle partners that shared in WestJet’s holiday spirit and featured in this year’s video include: Inn from the Cold, Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, Calgary Health Foundation, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, The Grande Spirit Foundation, The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation.

Video:

WestJet has announced it has collaborated with the State of Hawaii to begin offering a pre-flight COVID-19 testing program for guests traveling to the islands. A negative test result, from WestJet laboratory partner DynaLIFE, is required within 72-hours of departure to Hawaii and will exempt the guest from the state’s required 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

The airline will begin the testing program in partnership with DynaLIFE in Alberta for guests holding a WestJet-ticketed itinerary to Hawaii within 72-hours. Details can be found here: westjet.com/covidtesting. While the testing, which costs $150 CAD per person and is payable by the guest, is currently only available in Alberta, the testing is open to all Canadian residents. Guests travelling to Hawaii are responsible for ensuring they receive a test within 72-hours of their flight departing to Hawaii in order to avoid quarantine and will be required to display their negative test result prior to boarding. If test results are not available before boarding the final leg of the trip, the traveller must quarantine for 14 days or the length of the stay, whichever is shorter.

All visitors intending to visit Hawaii must register prior to travel: Hawaii entrance requirements are found at https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/.

Earlier this week, the airline announced its December schedule including twice-weekly, non-stop Dreamliner service between Calgary and Honolulu and Calgary and Maui.

On November 2, YYC Calgary International Airport began hosting the COVID-19 testing trial supported by the Governments of Canada and Alberta, trialing a reduced quarantine period upon arrival in Alberta with a negative test result, while protecting Canadians from COVID-19.

WestJet Airlines made this announcement:

On March 16, Prime Minister Trudeau made an explicit declaration to all Canadians abroad that it is time to come home. Based on this statement and the recommendations to Canadians to control the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, we have made impactful decisions related to our operations.

On Sunday, March 22 at 11:59 p.m. MDT, we will suspend scheduled commercial operations for all international and transborder flights for a 30 day period. To be clear, this means our final commercially scheduled flights from international and transborder destinations will launch on Sunday night by 11:59 p.m. local time; after that, we will be operating rescue and repatriation flights with our partners.

On Wednesday, March 18 at 11:59 p.m. MDT, WestJet will suspend all outbound international ticket sales for travel until Sunday, March 22 at 11:59 p.m. MDT, so we are no longer sending Canadians out of the country and can instead focus on bringing them home.

To assist Canadians in returning home on short notice, we are in the process of lowering prices on our remaining seats into Canada in all cabins.

In addition, we will also reduce our domestic schedule by approximately 50 per cent. At this point, all network changes are in place for the next 30 days.

WestJetters are known for our level of care and this situation is no different.  While this is a difficult time, we now have the responsibility as a Canadian airline to bring our citizens home.

-Statement from Ed Sims, WestJet President and Chief Executive Officer

WestJet aircraft photo gallery: