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Affordable, friendly flying across Canada and beyond.
Founded
1996
Headquarters
Calgary, Canada
WestJet is a major Canadian airline founded in 1996 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. It began as a low-cost carrier serving western Canada and has since grown into one of the country's two dominant airlines, competing directly with Air Canada on domestic and international routes.
The airline operates scheduled passenger service to destinations across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. WestJet launched its ultra-low-cost subsidiary Swoop in 2018 and has pursued a hybrid network carrier model in recent years.
WestJet was acquired by Onex Corporation in a privatization deal completed in 2019, ending its run as a publicly traded company. Despite challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and significant labor disruptions, WestJet remains a key player in Canadian aviation.
Hubs & network
WestJet's primary hubs are Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
Fleet
WestJet operates a fleet primarily composed of Boeing 737 Next Generation and 737 MAX aircraft, along with Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul routes.
Notable facts
- ›WestJet was founded in 1996 and initially modeled after Southwest Airlines as a low-cost carrier.
- ›The airline was taken private in 2019 when Onex Corporation acquired it for approximately CAD $5 billion.
- ›WestJet launched its ultra-low-cost subsidiary Swoop in 2018, later reintegrating it into the main brand.
- ›A significant pilot strike in 2023 caused major disruptions to Canadian air travel over the Canada Day long weekend.
- ›WestJet is a member of the Ampersand joint venture partnership with Delta Air Lines, enabling coordinated transborder flying.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
