News Releases
Airline offers quick reminders to make travel easier this festive season
CALGARY, Dec. 19, 2019 /CNW/ - With the busy Christmas travel season in full swing, WestJet has a few reminders to make holiday travel easier for guests at airports across its global network.
Check your I.D.
You've planned and paid for your trip and you're ready to go - don't let missing travel documents stop your plans short. Guests of all ages require current (non-expired) identification that matches the name and spelling on their ticket. You are responsible for making sure that you, and any child travelling with you, have the proper identification and travel documentation required to enter or connect through each country on your itinerary. Identification requirements for domestic, transborder and international travel can be found here.
Check-In
Up to 24 hours before departure, guests can check-in for their flight online via WestJet's mobile app, on westjet.com or through a WestJet kiosk at the airport. In order to ensure guests receive the most up-to-date information, we recommend including an email address and a mobile number during the check-in process to receive any important information regarding their flights.
Arrive early
Because it's a busy time of year, prepare for larger crowds at the airport. Make sure to check flight status before leaving for the airport and arrive at the airport no less than two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Guests should complete security, immigration and customs and be at their departure gate one hour before departure. Make sure to meet check-in, baggage drop and boarding cut-off times in advance of departure day.
Additionally, plan for extra travel time to the airport since bad weather and traffic snarls can make for a longer drive than normal at this time of year.
Ask Juliet, WestJet's digital travel assistant
Juliet never sleeps during the holidays, so she is always ready to provide instant support and quick answers on many topics, ranging from baggage guidelines and in-flight entertainment to flight booking and flight status information. To chat with Juliet, guests can connect via Facebook Messenger and handsfree through Google Assistant here.
Carry-on baggage
Carry-on baggage must meet our size requirements. Each guest is permitted one piece of carry-on baggage and one personal item. Excess and oversized carry-on baggage must be checked and will be subject to applicable baggage fees.
Always pack special items like identification, wallets, purses, medication, mobile devices, keys and valuable items such as cash, jewelry and electronics into carry-on baggage.
WestJet Mobile app
Make sure to download the latest version of WestJet's iPhone or Android app for free access to WestJet's inflight entertainment system, WestJet Connect, where more than 500 hours of movies and TV programs are available to make your flight more enjoyable.
Deicing to get you safely on your way
If you've travelled by air in wintry weather, you've probably seen the deicing fluid being sprayed on the wings of your aircraft. Deicing is very important to make sure the aircraft is free of snow and ice accumulation so that it can get the proper lift upon departure. While deicing can sometimes take a while, our teams work hard to get you out safely and on time.
For our guests departing Calgary International Airport, WestJet, YYC and other airlines have launched new centralized deicing at two specialized aprons. By moving deicing of aircraft from gates to an apron it speeds up deicing of departing aircraft, helping keep us on time. The new pads also reduce the airport's environmental footprint by increasing deicing fluid recycling through centralized operations and the largest airport use of CarbonCure technology in the world, which captured carbon in the new concrete pad construction. Click here for a link to b-roll of East Deice Apron.
Air Passenger Protection Regulations
WestJet's guest care is central to our brand and fundamental to our business. Through investment and innovation, for more than 23 years, we continue to demonstrate this commitment. Any guest looking for information regarding the regulations or wanting to submit a claim needs to visit westjet.com/guestrights. This holiday season, guests will need to understand their rights and recognize that when travel plans are interrupted, it does not always mean they are eligible for compensation.
Love where you're going this holiday season
From all 14,000 of us at WestJet, thank you for your support. Have a safe and merry Christmas and we look forward to welcoming you on board.
About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airlines, WestJet Encore and WestJet Link, we offer scheduled service to more than 110 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 250 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 for three consecutive years as Best Airline in Canada (2017-19) and awarded among travellers' favourite Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (2019). From 2017-2018, WestJet was also awarded among travellers' favourite Mid-Sized and Low-Cost Airlines in North America. The airline was also recognized among the Economy Class winners in 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.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2019 Swoop - Start-up Airline of the Year (CAPA 2019 Aviation Awards for Excellence)
2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2019 Number-One Ranked Canadian Airline Loyalty Program in Member Engagement (Bond Brand Loyalty)
2019/2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
2018/2017 Winner Among Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership
