Key Takeaways
- Calgary-Tokyo now year-round, enhancing business/leisure links between Western Canada and Asia.
- Increased daily flights to London and Paris meet high demand for transatlantic travel.
- More frequent flights to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Honolulu emphasize leisure travel expansion.
Canadian airline WestJet has announced important enhancements to its international routes for the upcoming winter season, boosting global connectivity from its Calgary hub. The changes underscore WestJet’s ambitions to strengthen its position as Canada’s leading leisure travel airline while meeting growing demand for international business and tourism.
At the heart of the expansion is the introduction of year-round service between Calgary and Tokyo’s Narita airport. Previously a seasonal summer route, the new year-round flights mark a major milestone in linking Western Canada with Asia for both leisure and business travel. Through a codeshare with Japan Airlines, WestJet passengers will gain access to seven additional destinations beyond Tokyo.
“This winter, WestJet will fly more than 60,000 seats between Asia and Alberta, creating a catalyst for year-round collaboration between our two unique economies and tourism hubs,” said John Weatherill, WestJet’s Chief Commercial Officer.
European connections are also being bolstered, with daily flights to both London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle starting in late October. The increased frequency, up from lower winter levels previously, aims to meet soaring transatlantic demand. A codeshare with Air France unlocks 53 more European cities from Paris.
Closer to home, WestJet is doubling down on sunny leisure destinations. Service to the Mexican resorts of Cancun and Puerto Vallarta will see significant frequency boosts, including twice-daily flights to Cancun. Hawaii is not being overlooked either, with daily 787 Dreamliner service from Calgary to Honolulu.
The deployment of WestJet’s fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliners on these leisure routes reflects the airline’s commitment to offering an exceptional experience and environmental efficiency.
For Calgary and Alberta, the enhanced winter schedule promises meaningful economic impacts through increased tourism and business connectivity. The region’s global profile stands to benefit from the new routes and frequencies.
“Our 787 winter schedule reflects the growing demand for year-round international options for business and leisure travellers from our global hub in Calgary,” affirmed Weatherill.
As Western Canada’s aviation leader, WestJet is clearly positioning itself to capture more international traffic flows across tourism, business, and visiting friends and relatives markets. The airline’s ambitious global route map positions it to compete vigorously against Air Canada’s powerful Vancouver hub.
With Canadians’ pent-up appetite for travel surging post-pandemic, WestJet is seizing the opportunity to become their go-to for international getaways and overseas adventures this winter. The airline’s enhanced 787 schedule offers travelers from Western Canada a widening array of options to escape the cold.
Visit westjet.com to learn more and book your winter escape!
