With over 85 daily departures from cities across Canada, WestJet’s winter schedule provides increased connectivity and flexibility. Whether you’re planning a short getaway or dreaming of an extended stay in a sun-drenched paradise, the expanded flight options make it easier than ever to reach your desired destination.
One of the highlights of the schedule is the airline’s increased focus on Mexico. WestJet will operate the most flights to over ten Mexican destinations from Canada during the winter season. Whether it’s Cancun’s vibrant nightlife, Tulum’s picturesque beaches, or Mexico City’s rich history that draws you in, WestJet’s expanded service will make your Mexican holiday more accessible.
John Weatherill, WestJet’s Executive VP and Chief Commercial Officer, shared that the schedule aims to provide affordable sun destination getaways, enhanced domestic connectivity, and popular routes available year-round. Such an initiative supports travellers’ increasing desire for flexibility and variety in their travel choices.
The new and returning routes introduced by WestJet span across North America and include Calgary to Tampa Bay, Edmonton to Montego Bay, Edmonton to Mazatlán, Prince George to Puerto Vallarta, Toronto to Bonaire, Winnipeg to Huatulco, Victoria to Los Cabos, and Edmonton to Abbotsford.
Notably, WestJet will introduce a non-stop seasonal service between Toronto and Bonaire starting December 12, 2023. This development reflects the airline’s commitment to enhancing capacity and service in the Greater Toronto Area.
In a bid to cater to the year-round travel demands, WestJet is extending some summer routes into year-round operations. Routes from Calgary to Paris, Edmonton to Minneapolis, Saskatoon to Minneapolis, Winnipeg to Atlanta, Vancouver to Atlanta, Regina, and Saskatoon are now set to operate throughout the year. This change ensures uninterrupted travel plans for frequent flyers on these routes.
Further enhancing its service, WestJet’s codeshare partnerships will provide seamless connections for guests through major hubs like Paris, Atlanta, or Minneapolis. This expansion allows travellers to access a broad network of European and U.S. destinations with a single ticket purchase, making international travel more hassle-free.
Domestically, the airline has extended two key routes from Calgary to Moncton and St. John’s, now operating year-round. By offering these routes twice per week, WestJet is emphasizing its commitment to strengthening Canada’s east-to-west connectivity, something that has been lacking since it’s move to focus on Western Canada.
Additionally, Sunwing Airlines, as part of the WestJet Group, will contribute to the overall increase in travel options. Sunwing will provide leisure and sun travel options across 230 nonstop routes from 26 Canadian communities to 55 popular sun destinations in the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. To meet the growing demand, Sunwing is also increasing capacity in Atlantic Canada by 26%, Quebec by 15%, and Ontario by 9% compared to the previous winter schedule.
John Weatherill states that the complementary winter schedules of WestJet and Sunwing Airlines signal a promising future for the WestJet Group. The focus is on expanding in Eastern Canada and providing Canadians with more affordable and seamless sun and leisure travel opportunities.
In summary, WestJet’s expanded winter schedule offers an enhanced roster of domestic and international routes, new and returning services, and increased capacity. This initiative, combined with year-round operations and strategic partnerships, should improve winter travel for Canadians. It’s a significant step toward making travel more accessible, flexible, and enjoyable, regardless of the season.
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