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Our history
Since our first flight in 1996, we have strived to enrich the lives of everyone in WestJet’s world by providing safe, friendly and affordable air travel. Right from the start, WestJet put guests and people first and in doing so, we became one of Canada's most admired and respected corporate cultures. Today, flying to more than 125 destinations, WestJet stays true to its principles and continues to strive for the highest standards of service and success
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WestJetters celebrate taking flight in 1996
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2026
192 aircraft 133 destinations
- We've been WestJetting for three decades now, oh how the time flies! We celebrate our 30th birthday in February with a retro-riffic nod to our '90s roots.
- We expand our loyalty and codeshare relationship with Virgin Atlantic
- Winter sun-seekers rejoice as we ramp up service to Panama City, Guadalajara, Puerto Escondido, Tepic/Nayarit and Managua.
- We’re honoured to be named the best hybrid airline in North America for 2026 by AirlineRatings.com.
- We celebrate our 100th destination from our hometown of Calgary, to a very special city on a new continent: São Paulo Brazil!
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Bom Dia, Brazil! São Paulo here we come.
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2025
192 aircraft 132 destinations
- The WestJet Group completes integration of Sunwing Airlines, successfully unifying all narrowbody operations under WestJet Airlines.
- Our string of successful partnerships, agreements and collaborations continues, as relationships deepen with CAE, Canadian Tire, Air France and KLM, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air, Scandinavian Airlines System and Saudia.
- We announce the most significant improvement to WestJet Rewards in the program’s 15-year history, making it easier than ever for members to earn, redeem and achieve status.
- Guests delight in the reinstatement of our popular Calgary to Mexico City route, along with seasonal direct flights from Halifax to Amsterdam, Halifax to Barcelona, and daily year-round service to Tokyo.
- We sign a multi-billion-dollar agreement with Lufthansa Technik to build a world-class aircraft engine maintenance facility in Calgary.
- We install lightning-fast satellite Wi-Fi, presented by TELUS, on over 100 narrowbody aircraft. Access is free for WestJet Rewards members.
- Awarded second place in AirlineRatings 2025 Hybrid Airlines Category.
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A new and improved WestJet Rewards program is here, with increased value and flexibility for members.
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2024
198 aircraft 109 destinations
- It's the start of a new era as we unveil a refreshed brand platform anchored by our new tagline: Where Your Story Takes Off.
- Furthering our commitment to meet the travel needs of all Canadians, we offer two new booking options: Extended Comfort and UltraBasic.
- Awarded the 2025 APEX Four Star Major Airline award by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and recognized as one of Canada’s best employers by Forbes magazine.
- We launch new partnerships with our friends at The Canadian Football League (CFL) and Skip.
- Iceland. Enough said. Guests can enjoy our new non-stop flights from Calgary to Reykjavik.
- We offer non-stop flights from Calgary to Seoul, our second Asian destination.
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We’re going to Vegas, baby! Another excited group of guests writing their next travel story with us.
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2023
198 aircraft 111 destinations
- Our first flight across the Pacific Ocean begins, as we offer seasonal non-stop flights between Calgary and Tokyo. To our very first destination in Asia, we say “Kon’nichiwa, Japan!”
- Our purchase of Sunwing group makes the WestJet Group North America’s leisure travel champion.
- On October 25, Swoop flies for the last time as WestJet absorbs the carrier and prepares to redefine ultra low-cost travel in Canada and beyond.
- Our cargo offering ramps up with the addition of four narrowbody aircraft fully dedicated to cargo.
- WestJet retires all remaining Boeing 737-600 aircraft.
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2022
188 aircraft 112 destinations
- Our Cares for Kids Community Investment program turns 15, celebrating more than 100,000 flights donated to seven charitable partners.
- After four years of designing and wear-testing, we reveal our new gender and body inclusive uniforms for frontline WestJetters. These award-winning uniforms are designed for everybody and every body, celebrating WestJetters' individual styles, identities and authentic selves.
- As pandemic restrictions lift and the airline industry slowly recovers, we stand apart as the only carrier in Canada that did not receive sector-specific support.
- Our growth strategy soars to new heights as we ink a deal with Boeing to purchase an additional 42 fuel-efficient 737-10 MAX aircraft, plus 22 additional purchase options.
- We’ve always loved our Calgary home. That’s why in 2022 we pledged to make YYC Calgary International Airport our global connecting hub for our entire 787-9 Dreamliner fleet.
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WestJetters at the YYC Calgary International Airport proudly greeting guests in their new award-winning and inclusive uniforms.
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2021
177 aircraft 102 destinations
- Our Safety Above All promise gets recognition after airlineratings.com named us one of the safest in the world for the second year in a row.
- Happy 25 birthday to us! Born in 1996, we started with just three planes and five destinations in Western Canada. Now we fly nearly 180 aircraft to destinations across 23 countries — with over 300 million guests served.
- December marked our 10 annual Christmas Miracle video, featuring real stories of connecting people to their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- New destinations: Amsterdam and Seattle.
- Our Safety Above All promise gets recognition after airlineratings.com named us one of the safest in the world for the second year in a row.
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2020
183 aircraft 100 destinations
- Forbes names us one of Canada’s Best Employers for the fifth time.
- COVID-19 hit aviation hard. Although leisure travel was suspended and hundreds of aircraft grounded, WestJetters continued to show up, even after reducing our employee count from 14,000 down to 4,500.
- For three months we operated 28 repatriation flights to 14 different worldwide destinations and safely returned more than 4,000 Canadians home.
- We leaned on WestJet Cargo to keep critical domestic supply chain lines open throughout the pandemic, transporting everything from perishables and pharmaceuticals to household goods.
- After two years of planning and construction, we celebrated the grand opening of the Elevation Lounge at our home base: The YYC Calgary International Airport.
- We retire all our Boeing 767-300 aircraft, leaving us with one of North America’s most fuel-efficient fleets.
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The award-winning WestJet Elevation Lounge demonstrates our commitment to delivering world-class guest experiences both in the air and on the ground.
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2019
184 aircraft 109 destinations
- Our guests can now hop across the pond aboard our new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service which launched between Calgary and London, Gatwick. Ta-ta!
- We teamed up with our Indigenous partners, entrepreneurs and youth of Canada, building bridges and committing $100,000 to help sponsor the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
- WestJet is purchased by ONEX.
- We win top honours for marketing at the 2019 Airline Strategy Awards.
- New destinations: Atlanta, Portland, Barcelona, Austin and Roatan.
- Our guests can now hop across the pond aboard our new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service which launched between Calgary and London, Gatwick. Ta-ta!
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2018
181 aircraft 108 destinations
- We unveil our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with a new livery and an updated company logo.
- We launch regular flights from Canada to Paris, France.
- SkyTrax names us North America’s Best Low-Cost Airline.
- We pick up three TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards, including Best Airline in Canada.
- RewardsCanada.ca gives our WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard their best airline credit card award.
- New destinations: Denver, Lethbridge, Cranbrook, Medicine Hat.
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2017
168 aircraft 104 destinations
- We are the first Canadian airline to receive the new, fuel-efficient Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. This state-of-the-art engineering marvel is 14 per cent more fuel efficient than the 737 Next Generation aircraft and is also the quietest bird in the fleet.
- We're named Canada’s most trusted airline by the Gustavson Brand Trust Index for a second time.
- TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards recognizes us with two prizes: Best Airline in Canada, and Favourite Mid-Sized and Low-Cost Airline in North America.
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2016
153 aircraft 102 destinations
- Our first wide-body transatlantic flight to London Gatwick takes place.
- New destinations: Boston, London (Gatwick), Nashville and Belize City.
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2015
140 aircraft 98 destinations
- The first of four wide-body Boeing 767 aircraft joins WestJet’s fleet.
- In 2015 we unveiled our second Disney-themed Frozen plane showcasing the cold-to-warm journey from Arendelle to the beach. In 2024 we bid goodbye to Elsa, Anna and Olaf as we retired the livery from our fleet.
- For a record sixth time we’re named as having one of Canada’s 10 most admired corporate cultures.
- New destinations: Fredericton, Loreto, Houston, Merida, Huatulco.
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2014
122 aircraft 89 destinations
- We celebrate our first transatlantic flight by introducing seasonal non-stop service to Dublin, Ireland.
- Our flight map expands as we add service to New York City (JFK) and Penticton.
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2013
105 aircraft 87 destinations
- Introducing WestJet Encore! We bring affordable air travel to more people in more communities with eight De Havilland Dash 8-400 (Q400) NextGen turboprop aircraft.
- In December, we unveil a new magical plane, custom-painted with a Walt Disney World Resort theme featuring Mickey Mouse in his role as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. After an impressive 11-year run, this livery is retired from the fleet in 2024.
- We collect a Stevie award in the Company of the Year — transportation category.
- New destinations: Nanaimo, Fort St. John, Brandon and Terrace.
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2012
100 aircraft 81 destinations
- We take delivery of our 100 Boeing 737 Next Generation Aircraft.
- New destinations: Kingston, Aruba, Whitehorse, Chicago, Antigua, Curacao, Manzanillo.
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2011
97 aircraft 72 destinations
- We're listed among Canada's Top 100 Employers by MediaCorp.
- A TripAdvisor reviews survey reveals travelers rate WestJet flight attendants the best in Canada.
- Aon Hewitt names us one of the Best Employers in Canada, and JD Power gives us a Customer Service Champion award.
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2010
91 aircraft 72 destinations
- Our flight attendants are named best in industry for their friendly attitude and customer service in a survey done by air travelers.
- Make-A-Wish® grants us an International Corporate Partner Award.
- We win the Airline Staff Service Excellence Award North America at the World Airline Awards.
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2009
86 aircraft 66 destinations
- Our growing airline opens the doors to our environmentally conscious, LEED-certified Calgary campus (gold level). The $100 million building is designed to provide a healthy, friendly and dynamic workplace for WestJetters — and is also home to one of Calgary's busiest Starbucks locations.
- A study conducted by Leger Marketing indicates we are Canada’s preferred airline, ranking 21in the magazine’s annual corporate reputation survey.
- Make-A-Wish® grants us an International Corporate Partner Award.
- New destinations: Yellowknife, Cuba, Ixtapa, St. Maarten, Cozumel and Lihue.
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Aerial view of the WestJet Calgary campus
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2008
76 aircraft 52 destinations
- Proud to win the award for one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures for the fourth year in a row.
- New destinations: Quebec City, Kamloops, Bridgetown, Kona, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
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2007
70 aircraft 44 destinations
- We become the first North American airline to offer paperless boarding passes.
- Our Cares for Kids Community Investment program launches.
- For the third year in a row, we are named in the top ten of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures.
- New destinations: The Dominican Republic, Montego Bay, Mazatlan, San Jose Del Cabo and St. Lucia.
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2006
63 aircraft 36 destinations
- We're Bahamas-bound! Our first service to Nassau begins.
- WestJet Vacations launches affordable, reliable and easy booking of vacation packages.
- December marks our most profitable year since commencing operations.
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2005
56 aircraft 38 destinations
- We retire our original 200-series Boeing 737s, after accepting deliveries of new Boeing 737-600 and 737-800 aircraft.
- We celebrate with discounted flights to our original five destinations, gifts for local children's hospitals and a “fly bye” of our Calgary hangar.
- The retirement of the original fleet makes us one of North America's most modern airlines.
- Our first inflight magazine, up! launches.
- Named as one of Canada’s Top 25 Respected Corporations for the third consecutive year in Ipsos-Reid’s annual survey.
- Awarded Most Admired Corporate Culture in Canada by Canadian Business Magazine.
- New destinations: Charlottetown, Las Vegas, San Diego, Honolulu and Maui.
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2004
54 aircraft 31 destinations
- We introduce transborder service to several U.S. destinations including New York City, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.
- We are the first airline in the world to implement Required Navigation Performance (RNP), a new onboard navigational system designed to mitigate possible disruption in service, especially in smaller market airports.
- Our first foray into the rewards and loyalty space kicks off, with the introduction of our WestJet Mosaik MasterCard.
- Named one of Canada’s Most Respected Corporations again.
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2003
44 aircraft 24 destinations
- We are named as one of Canada’s Top 25 Respected Corporations for the first time, in a survey conducted by Ipsos-Reid.
- We complete a $144 million share offering.
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2002
35 aircraft 21 destinations
- Revenues increase 42 per cent and once again profit share is distributed among employees.
- We enter the business travel market with service to Toronto and London, Ontario.
- Turnaround Coordination (TAC) operations commence in Calgary, with WestJetters taking over some ground control activities such as aircraft marshalling and baggage handling.
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2001
27 aircraft 20 destinations
- We accept first deliveries of our new Boeing 737-700 Next Generation aircraft.
- Our company founders are honoured as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year.
- In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., we work diligently to be the first Canadian airline to take flight again, ensuring the transition to a more secure airspace while remaining focused on the comfort and safety of guests.
- New destinations: Comox, Sudbury, Thompson and Sault St. Marie.
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2000
22 aircraft 15 destinations
- We expand service to Eastern Canada with stops in Ottawa and Moncton, and establish Hamilton as our eastern hub.
- Operations are centralized to a new office space on Deerfoot Trail in Calgary.
- Profit share is distributed for the first time among employees, beginning what is to become a long-standing tradition within the company during profitable times.
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1999
16 aircraft 13 destinations
- Our Pro-Active Communications Team (PACT) was launched: An internal employee association designed to strengthen our unique company culture and distribute profit-sharing.
- We hold our initial public offering on July 13, 1999, and go live as WJA on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Shares sell at $10 and, by year-end, are valued at $18.
- On November 30, our 5,000,000 guest steps aboard.
- More flights, more destinations: We add flights to Prince George, Brandon and Thunder Bay.
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WestJet founder Clive Beddoe encouraging WestJetters at a company event
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1998
11 aircraft 11 destinations
- We reach another milestone, earning over $125 million in annual sales.
- What's better than flying two million guests? Flying three million.
- WestJet Cargo launches operations with space dedicated to air shipping in the belly of our passenger aircraft.
- Destinations served: Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg.
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1997
6 aircraft 8 destinations
- On June 5, our one millionth passenger steps aboard.
- Always on trend, we introduce denim uniforms.
- In October, we add another three Boeing 737-200 aircraft, bringing our fleet total to six jets.
- By December 31, our year-end revenue totals over $77 million.
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1996
3 aircraft 9 destinations
- We take our inaugural flight on February 29, a great leap forward to providing Canadians with affordable air travel.
- By November 26, we welcome our 500,000th guest. Onward and upward!
- Operations support 96 flights a week, on a fleet of three Boeing 737-200 aircraft, supported by a team of 220 employees.
- Working out of our hub at the YYC Calgary International Airport, our first network destinations this year include Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.
- When government scrutiny hit new carriers, we grounded ourselves, rolled up our sleeves (even pilots and cabin crew helped with paperwork), and were back in the sky just over two weeks later — an early “only-at-WestJet” moment that shaped our culture.
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1994
- Founded in 1994 by our first Chief Executive Officer Clive Beddoe, along with co-founders Mark Hill, Don Bell and Tim Morgan.
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