Make-A-Wish^® Canada

WestJet and Make-A-Wish^® Canada (MAW) have partnered together since 2007 to fulfill thousands of travel wishes, and to create a unique experience for all Make-A-Wish^® children and their families travelling with WestJet. From the moment flights are booked, to check-in at the airport, and the inflight experience, WestJetters consistently go above and beyond to create a remarkable experience for each wish child and their family. It is these meaningful interactions with the brave Make-A-Wish^® families that inspire WestJetters to go the extra mile. These connections have also inspired numerous WestJetters to personally become involved with Make-A-Wish^®.

In partnership with Make-A-Wish^® Canada’s Northern Alberta Chapter, we were able to grant Jeri-Ann's wish to fly. Jeri-Ann has a medical condition that does not allow her to fly above 10,000 feet, and we wanted to help make her wish possible. She was presented with her own special First Officer’s uniform and travel bag to make sure she was able to feel like a real pilot. With help from Captain Deere, Jeri-Ann had the chance to feel what it was like to fly, she also got to take the Captain seat in the flight simulator to fly the plane and guide it over New York City. Captain Deere was so impressed with Jeri-Ann’s skills that he awarded her with honourary pilot’s wings after their flight.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Make-A-Wish^® Canada set out to do something magical. For the first time in its history, the nonprofit granted 40 wishes all at once and set out to bring critically ill children and their families from across Canada to the happiest place on earth. In addition to chartering an aircraft to and from Orlando, WestJet created an extraordinary pre-flight experience ahead of take-off that included craft and game stations, prepacked lunch kits for the flight and an exclusive gate-check experience.

Make-A-Wish^® is a dynamic wish-granting organization that works with communities across the country to bring hope, strength and joy to children aged three through 17 with life-threatening medical conditions. Along with the national office, eight regional chapters grant magical wishes to children in need from coast to coast. Since 1983, Make-A-Wish^® Canada has granted more than 37,000 wishes across the country. Its vision is to grow wish granting in Canada, so every eligible child has the opportunity to have their life-transforming wish fulfilled.