News Releases

First time airline has used its Boeing MAX for transatlantic travel

CALGARY, April 30, 2018 /CNW/ - WestJet today officially launched its route between Halifax and London (Gatwick). The departure of WS24 marks the start of daily, nonstop service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport and Gatwick Airport until October 26, 2018.

This is the first time the airline has used its newest aircraft, the Boeing 737-8 MAX for transatlantic travel.

"WestJet continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation using its fleet of fuel-efficient, guest-friendly Boeing MAX aircraft for transatlantic service," said Tim Croyle, WestJet Interim Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "This service also demonstrates our commitment to support efforts on the part of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada to enhance trade and tourism, and grow the economies of both Canada and the United Kingdom."

"WestJet's addition of this direct route represents another link to the UK and connections throughout Europe, important markets for Nova Scotia," said Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Business and Tourism Nova Scotia. "This route will help further connect our people, cultures and businesses, making it even easier for UK tourists to visit our province. On behalf of the provincial government, I want to thank WestJet for its confidence in our region and ongoing investments that are helping to build our Atlantic Gateway." 

"WestJet continues to demonstrate their commitment to Halifax Stanfield, our community and our future as we expand into an airport where travellers can conveniently connect to and from Europe and beyond," said Joyce Carter, President and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority. "We thank WestJet for their leadership in developing new links to European markets from our gateway, and the travelling public for supporting new services."

On May 31, WestJet will launch its inaugural flight between Halifax and Paris on its Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. The flight will mark the first time WestJet will land on the European mainland.

WestJet serves 18 cities from the Halifax International Airport, up from 12 in 2013, including 12 Canadian, two transborder, one international and this summer will serve Glasgow, London and Paris; at peak summer schedule, the airline will operate around 25 flights per day or more than 170 flights per week. Since 2012, the airline's traffic from Halifax has grown by more than 160 per cent.

Details of WestJet's new non-stop service:

About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership