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Founded | June 27, 1994 | ||||||
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Commenced operations | February 29, 1996 | ||||||
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Hubs | |||||||
Focus cities | |||||||
Frequent-flyer program | WestJet Rewards | ||||||
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Fleet size | 180 (including Encore) [5] | ||||||
Destinations | 104[6] | ||||||
Parent company | Onex Corporation | ||||||
Headquarters | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | ||||||
Key people | Alexis von Hoensbroech (President & CEO) | ||||||
Founders | |||||||
Employees | 14,000 (May 2024)[7] | ||||||
Website | westjet.com |
WestJet Airlines, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta,[8] is the second-largest airline in Canada.[9] It began operations in 1996 with 220 employees, three aircraft, and five destinations.[10] It was launched as a low-cost alternative to the country's major airlines.[11] Today, WestJet operates scheduled, charter, and cargo air service, transporting more than 25 million passengers per year.[12] The airline has a significant domestic and international network, which serves over 100 destinations across North America, Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Central America.[13] WestJet has an average of 777[14] flights per day, solidifying its position as the eighth-largest airline in North America by frequency.
WestJet's fleet primarily consists of Boeing 737 aircraft (Next Generation and MAX families), and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.[15] The 737 is well-suited for its extensive list of short and medium-haul routes, while the 787 is mainly used for its long-haul flights, with some exceptions.[16]
WestJet has two direct subsidiaries: WestJet Encore,[17] which operates the Bombardier Q400 on routes in Western Canada, and WestJet Cargo which operates four Boeing 737-800BCF, which were previously used as WestJet passenger aircraft and converted for cargo use.
In December 2019, WestJet Airlines was acquired by Kestrel Bidco Inc., a subsidiary of Onex Corporation. This acquisition resulted in WestJet transitioning from a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "WJA" to a private company.[18]
In May 2023, WestJet expanded its reach further with the acquisition of Sunwing,[19] a Canadian leisure airline. This integration is expected to be completed by October 2024, bringing Sunwing's staff and aircraft under the WestJet banner.[citation needed]
WestJet is not a member of any major airline alliances,[20] such as Star Alliance, Oneworld, or SkyTeam. However, it utilizes codeshare and interline agreements with various airlines. These agreements allow WestJet to place its flight code on flights operated by other airlines, and vice versa.[21]
WestJet Airlines: WJA, WESTJET
fleet
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