WestJet
A Canadian airline that grew from a Western Canada low-cost carrier into an international airline group.
Last updated October 9, 2026
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Overview
WestJet is a Canadian airline headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. It was founded in 1994 by Clive Beddoe, David Neeleman, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan, and Donald Bell, and began flying on February 29, 1996. The company was created as a low-cost alternative to Canada's established airlines, using a business model influenced by Southwest Airlines and Morris Air. Its initial network connected five Western Canadian cities with three second-hand Boeing 737-200 aircraft and a workforce of roughly 220–225 employees. The airline expanded first across Canada, then into the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, and Europe. Consolidation in the Canadian airline industry after Air Canada's acquisition of Canadian Airlines created opportunities for WestJet to move into Eastern Canada. Hamilton initially served as its principal eastern focus, but Toronto Pearson later became the airline's main eastern hub and a major international gateway. Calgary International Airport remains WestJet's global connecting hub. WestJet's operating model has changed substantially over time. Its early identity centered on low fares, a simplified Boeing 737 fleet, direct service, and a highly informal corporate culture. As the network matured, the company added scheduled, charter, and cargo services, a rewards program, premium cabins, wide-body aircraft, long-haul routes, and affiliated operations. WestJet Encore was established to operate regional routes with De Havilland Canada turboprop aircraft, while WestJet Cargo operates converted Boeing 737-800BCF freighters. The group also launched Swoop, an ultra-low-cost subsidiary, in 2018. During the 2010s, management publicly described a strategic shift toward a broader, more international and full-service proposition. The fleet expanded beyond narrow-body Boeing 737 aircraft through the introduction of Boeing 767-300ER aircraft for seasonal and transatlantic flying, followed by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. New international milestones included service to Nassau in 2006, Dublin in 2014, and London Gatwick in 2016. WestJet also pursued deeper commercial cooperation with Delta Air Lines, although the proposed joint venture was abandoned in 2020. WestJet operates passenger, charter, and cargo services. Its network has historically covered more than 100 destinations across Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe, although routes and capacity vary by season and operating conditions. Its principal customer propositions include basic and lower-fare travel, vacation packages, WestJet Rewards, and premium seating and cabin products. The airline is one of Canada's largest carriers and has competed primarily with Air Canada, while also facing pressure from ultra-low-cost competitors and international airlines. WestJet's history includes operational interruptions, regulatory disputes, labor negotiations, litigation, and strategic reversals. In 1996, its entire fleet was temporarily grounded during a disagreement with Transport Canada over maintenance scheduling. In 2006, it admitted liability in an industrial-espionage case brought by Air Canada and agreed to pay legal and investigation costs while making charitable donations. The company also faced regulatory scrutiny over baggage policies and later managed significant labor and operational challenges as it expanded its network and product offering.
History
WestJet was incorporated in 1994 and modeled its early operations on the low-cost carrier approach associated with Southwest Airlines and Morris Air. The founders selected Western Canada as the initial market, which influenced the company's name. Commercial flying began in February 1996 with three used Boeing 737-200 aircraft and a small network linking Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Additional Western Canadian destinations were added during the first year. The company's early development was not uninterrupted. In September 1996, WestJet suspended service after a maintenance-scheduling disagreement with Transport Canada led to a temporary fleet grounding. After resuming operations, it continued adding destinations and completed an initial public offering in 1999. Leadership changed several times during this formative period, with co-founder Clive Beddoe returning as chief executive after Steve Smith's departure in 2000. WestJet's major domestic expansion followed the restructuring of Canadian aviation after Air Canada's purchase of Canadian Airlines in 2000. The airline moved eastward, initially using Hamilton as its principal eastern focus and later shifting significant capacity to Toronto Pearson. By the middle of the 2000s it had built a national network and was adding destinations in the United States. Its network included major leisure markets such as Florida, California, Nevada, and Hawaii, as well as cities in the northeastern United States. International leisure flying became an important part of the business. WestJet entered the Caribbean in 2006 with service to Nassau and later expanded across Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and other island destinations. It also operated charter flying under an agreement with Air Transat, although that arrangement ended in 2009. The airline temporarily reduced Mexico service during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak. During the 2010s WestJet broadened its geographic and product ambitions. It acquired access to New York-area slots, added further U.S. routes, and launched Dublin service in 2014. The introduction of Boeing 767-300ER aircraft allowed the carrier to operate longer international and seasonal routes, while the Boeing 787-9, announced in 2018 and delivered from 2019, supported a more global network. Management increasingly described WestJet as evolving from a low-cost airline toward a full-service international carrier. The company also developed specialized operating units. WestJet Encore provided regional connectivity using De Havilland Canada turboprop aircraft, and WestJet Cargo used converted Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft as freighters. Swoop was created as an ultra-low-cost subsidiary and began operations in 2018. These formats allowed WestJet to address different price points, aircraft sizes, and route types. Strategic partnerships were another feature of the period. WestJet and Delta Air Lines announced a proposed expanded relationship and later signed a definitive agreement for a joint venture covering much of the Canada–United States market. The proposed venture was not completed; the airlines ended the plan in 2020 after regulatory conditions proved unacceptable. Across its history, WestJet has therefore combined network growth with repeated adjustments to fleet, subsidiaries, partnerships, and its balance between low-cost and full-service positioning.
- 2019
Boeing 787-9 enters the fleet
[1]The Dreamliner supports WestJet's long-haul and international strategy.
- 2018
Swoop launches
[1]WestJet's ultra-low-cost subsidiary begins operations.
- 2014
First European route
[1]WestJet launches seasonal service between St. John's and Dublin.
- 2006
First non-North American scheduled destination
[1]Service to Nassau marks a significant step in WestJet's international expansion.
- 1999
Initial public offering
[1]WestJet becomes publicly traded.
- 1996
First commercial flight
[1]WestJet begins service with three Boeing 737-200 aircraft and five destinations.
- 1994
WestJet is founded
[1]Clive Beddoe, David Neeleman, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan, and Donald Bell establish the airline as a Western Canadian low-cost carrier.
Products and positioning
A Canadian value-oriented airline combining low-fare roots with domestic, leisure, regional, transatlantic, premium, and cargo services.
Scheduled airline · 1996
WestJet passenger service
The core business provides scheduled domestic and international passenger flights. The network developed from Western Canadian routes into a Canada-wide system with service to the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe. Fare families and cabin options have varied as WestJet added premium seating and moved toward a broader full-service proposition.
Regional airline subsidiary · 2013
WestJet Encore
WestJet Encore operates regional services using De Havilland Canada turboprop aircraft. It was created to connect smaller Canadian communities and feed larger WestJet network stations with aircraft suited to shorter and lower-demand routes.
Air cargo · 2022
WestJet Cargo
WestJet Cargo provides air-freight capacity using converted Boeing 737-800BCF aircraft. The operation complements belly cargo carried on passenger flights and extends the group's activity beyond passenger transportation.
Loyalty program
WestJet Rewards
WestJet Rewards is the airline's customer-loyalty program, designed to provide benefits and earning opportunities tied to eligible WestJet travel and related purchases.
Vacation packages
WestJet Vacations
WestJet Vacations packages air travel with accommodation and other holiday components, supporting the airline's large leisure market in Mexico, the Caribbean, and other resort destinations.
Ultra-low-cost airline subsidiary · 2018
Swoop
Swoop was established as a separate ultra-low-cost carrier intended to compete at the lowest end of the Canadian market. It used a simplified fare proposition and Boeing 737 aircraft before being integrated into WestJet's broader operations.
Controversies
2026
WestJet and the Boeing 737 MAX software glitch notification
WestJet is reported to have been the first party to notify Boeing about a software glitch affecting the 737 MAX, which the FAA cleared, according to a memo cited in Reuters reporting. The event concerns communication between the airline and the aircraft manufacturer regarding the software issue. The reporting states that the glitch was cleared by the FAA and that WestJet was first to bring it to Boeing's attention. This note is based on a single memo referenced in media coverage and does not include further details about the nature of the glitch, the timing of the notification, or any additional outcomes.
2004
Air Canada industrial-espionage litigation
Air Canada alleged that WestJet personnel accessed confidential information through a private website to gain competitive intelligence. In 2006, WestJet admitted the allegations and agreed to pay Air Canada's legal and investigation costs and make charitable donations in both airlines' names.
Marketing campaigns
- 2005Hurricane Katrina relief transport
United States · Canada
WestJet flew a Vancouver-based urban search-and-rescue team to Louisiana to assist with relief work after Hurricane Katrina.
Outcome. Humanitarian transport operation completed.
Brand decisions
2020
End proposed Delta joint ventureM&ABackground
WestJet and Delta Air Lines had planned a ten-year transborder joint venture, but regulatory conditions remained unresolved.
Action taken
The airlines mutually abandoned the proposed joint venture.
Aftermath
The planned integration of networks and loyalty programs did not proceed.
2018
Pursue a full-service international modelStrategyBackground
WestJet had expanded beyond its original low-cost domestic model through premium products, wide-body aircraft, partnerships, and overseas routes.
Action taken
Management reaffirmed a strategy of becoming a global full-service carrier and expanded the senior leadership structure.
Aftermath
The company continued developing long-haul flying with Boeing 787-9 aircraft and broader international services.
2017
Create an ultra-low-cost subsidiaryStrategyBackground
New Canadian entrants, including Flair Airlines, increased competitive pressure at the lowest-fare end of the market.
Action taken
WestJet announced plans for a separate ultra-low-cost carrier, later named Swoop.
Aftermath
Swoop began flying in June 2018 and was subsequently folded into WestJet's main operation.
2004
Move eastern focus from Hamilton to TorontoStrategyBackground
WestJet sought stronger access to the high-volume Toronto–Ottawa–Montreal market and broader connectivity in Eastern Canada.
Action taken
The airline announced that it would shift its eastern operating focus to Toronto Pearson and substantially increase Toronto flying.
Aftermath
Toronto became a strategic secondary hub alongside Calgary and a major base for domestic and international growth.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
WestJet and Qatar Airways sign codeshare partnership[4]
WestJet says it signed a codeshare partnership with Qatar Airways. The airlines will place their codes on selected flights, including Qatar Airways flights to Doha from Toronto and Montreal and WestJet-operated flights from those cities.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Memo shows WestJet first told Boeing about 737 MAX software glitch cleared by FAA[3]
A memo indicates that WestJet was the first to notify Boeing about a software glitch on the 737 MAX that was cleared by the FAA, according to Reuters reporting.
Reported
WestJet launches anniversary fare sale[5]
WestJet offered discounted fares for bookings made by March 7 for travel through December 15, 2022, as part of an anniversary sale.
Reported
WestJet announces workforce cuts[6]
WestJet said about 1,000 employees would be furloughed, temporarily laid off, put on unpaid leave, or have their hours cut in response to new federal travel rules.
Reported
WestJet announces capacity and departure cuts[6]
WestJet said it would cut about 30% of its capacity for February and March and remove 160 domestic departures from its schedule.
Reported
Amazon announces purchase of 11 Boeing 767 freighters[7]
Amazon announced its first-ever purchase of 11 Boeing 767 aircraft—seven from Delta and four from WestJet—to expand Amazon Air's fleet. The aircraft were expected to join its network in 2021 and 2022; the company said it would continue to rely on third-party carriers to operate them.
Reported
WestJet-YVR COVID-19 testing pilot launches[8]
A rapid COVID-19 testing pilot launched at Vancouver International Airport. The study is sponsored by WestJet and Vancouver Airport Authority and is investigating rapid testing methods for use at the airport.
Reported
WestJet launches Dreamliner service between Vancouver and Toronto[9]
WestJet began using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its Vancouver–Toronto route, launching non-stop service five times weekly.
Reported
WestJet announces higher domestic surcharges[10]
WestJet announced an increase to domestic traveller surcharges, raising its air-traffic-control surcharge by $4 to $7 per guest depending on flight duration. The increased surcharge was to apply to domestic tickets from September 5.
Reported
WestJet announces pilot layoffs[11]
WestJet notified its pilots' union that it planned to issue layoff notices to 1,700 pilots across WestJet, Encore and Swoop. The reported effective dates were May 1 and June 1.
Sources13 sources
- 1WestJeten.wikipedia.org
- 2WestJet official websitewestjet.com
- 3WestJet and the Boeing 737 MAX software glitch notificationnews.google.com
- 4WestJet与卡塔尔航空签署代码共享合作协议wingsmagazine.com
- 5WestJet推出周年庆票价促销dailyhive.com
- 6WestJet宣布裁减员工castanet.net
- 7亚马逊宣布购买11架波音767货机worldairlinenews.com
- 8WestJet-YVR新冠检测试点启动dailyhive.com
- 9WestJet开通温哥华至多伦多的Dreamliner航班服务dailyhive.com
- 10WestJet 宣布提高国内航班附加费dailyhive.com
- 11西捷航空宣布裁减飞行员epochtimes.com
- 12WestJet开通卡尔加里至毛伊岛的787梦想客机航线服务worldairlinenews.com
- 13WestJet开通多伦多至棕榈泉季节性直飞航线eturbonews.com
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