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"To travellers, this is an invitation. To our competition, this is a challenge."

CALGARY, Feb. 9, 2012 /CNW/ - WestJet today introduced a new way to think about airline travel, literally unrolling a welcoming mat to welcome guests on board its growing 76-city, 14-country North American and Caribbean network. With the launch of new WestJet Rewards offerings and national campaign, the airline invites new guests to give WestJet a try, while generating a little friendly competition among its competitors.

"Today, we are here to tell travellers that it is not business as usual at WestJet," said Bob Cummings, WestJet's Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. "It's not business as usual for an airline to be owned by more than 80 per cent of its eligible employees. It's not business as usual to call your customers guests, or reward your guests with real dollars they can actually use in a rewards program they can actually understand. We are the only airline that puts out a welcome mat at the door of every aircraft for a reason, and we are here to earn the trust and confidence of travellers one flight at a time."

Starting today, travellers who join WestJet Rewards (formerly the WestJet Frequent Guest Program), and take a WestJet flight before March 31, 2012, will get off to a flying start and receive a welcome bonus of $50 WestJet dollars. For more information, please visit westjet.com/rewards.

"WestJet Rewards is just one of many ways we're offering unprecedented value for the business traveller," Bob Cummings continued. "Our revamped, business-focused schedule in the eastern triangle, combined with our industry-leading on-time service promises, is having a significant impact on travellers in the largest business travel market in Canada. We also begin flying between Toronto and LaGuardia in June, and our growing list of code-share partners across the world, particularly in the U.S., offer business people connections to many of the key destinations they're looking for."

A multi-platform advertising campaign also begins today. The campaign, centered on WestJet's challenge of "business as usual," spans print, radio and digital fronts, with many of the ads featuring a letter directly to guests inviting them on board.

"This new campaign is about welcoming travellers to WestJet," Bob Cummings continued. "We are an airline they can trust, an airline that continues to serve their needs, and an airline that wants, appreciates and rewards their business."

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 76-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of 97 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 38 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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