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WestJet Airlines Ltd., Canada’s second-largest airline and a leading low-cost carrier, is renowned for its affordable fares, friendly service, and extensive network connecting over 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Founded on February 29, 1996, by Clive Beddoe, Don Bell, Mark Hill, and Tim Morgan, WestJet is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, with primary hubs at Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Operating a fleet of nearly 200 aircraft, primarily Boeing 737s, the airline carried approximately 25 million passengers in 2023, generating $4.7 billion CAD in revenue. Fully owned by Onex Corporation since its privatization in 2019 for $5 billion CAD, WestJet emphasizes operational excellence, sustainability, and community engagement, with a mission to provide safe, friendly, and affordable air travel. Awarded the 2025 APEX Four-Star Major Airline award and recognized as one of Canada’s Best Employers by Forbes, WestJet’s tagline, “Where Your Story Takes Off,” reflects its commitment to enriching travel experiences.
WestJet launched operations in 1996 with three Boeing 737-200s, serving five Western Canadian cities: Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. By 1999, it went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange (WJA), raising $60 million CAD. Post-9/11, WestJet was the first Canadian airline to resume flights, expanding to Eastern Canada with hubs in Hamilton and Moncton. In 2005, it began international service to Honolulu and Maui, followed by Nassau, Bahamas, in 2006, marking a significant milestone in its global strategy.
The airline introduced WestJet Encore in 2013, a regional subsidiary using Dash 8-400s, and Swoop, an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), in 2018, which was integrated into mainline operations by October 2023. WestJet Link, a capacity purchase agreement with Pacific Coastal Airlines, operated from 2018 to October 2024. In 2017, WestJet acquired four Boeing 767-300ERs for transatlantic flights but retired them in 2019, replacing them with fuel-efficient Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The 2023 acquisition of Sunwing Airlines, approved by the Canadian government, made WestJet North America’s leisure travel leader, with Sunwing fully integrated by June 2025. A 2024 three-day mechanics’ strike disrupted over 1,000 flights, highlighting labor challenges. WestJet celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021, having served over 300 million passengers.
WestJet operates a fleet of nearly 200 aircraft, primarily Boeing models, as of Q1 2025:
The fleet averages 10 years in age, with the Boeing 737 MAX 8 offering 13% better fuel efficiency. WestJet plans to add 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft by 2027, aligning with its low-cost model. Maintenance is handled in-house at facilities in Calgary and Vancouver, meeting Transport Canada and IOSA standards. The 767s, retired due to high maintenance costs, had a 38% on-time performance in 2016, costing $5 million CAD quarterly.