Airline launches its first wide-body transatlantic service
CALGARY, May 5, 2016 /CNW/ - WestJet will launch its new non-stop service between six Canadian cities and London (Gatwick) beginning this weekend. Flights from Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto begin tomorrow, while service from Edmonton, Winnipeg and St. John's begins on Saturday.
"The launch of wide-body transatlantic service this weekend ushers in a new era in the history of WestJet," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "From humble beginnings as a regional airline serving five destinations in Western Canada, we have grown to become a truly international carrier in just two decades, now taking Canadians across the North Atlantic to visit family and friends in London and beyond. Our low-fare, high-care service, combined with our caring, people-driven approach, continues to win new guests in every new part of the world we serve. I thank more than 11,000 WestJetters as well as our loyal guests for making this remarkable milestone a reality."
Details of WestJet's non-stop service between Canada and London (Gatwick):
| Route |
Frequency |
Effective |
| Vancouver – London |
Six times weekly |
May 6 – Oct. 21, 2016 |
| Edmonton – London |
Twice weekly |
May 7 – Oct. 22, 2016 |
| Calgary – London |
Five times weekly |
May 6 (year-round*) |
| Winnipeg – London |
Once weekly |
May 7 – Oct. 1, 2016 |
| Toronto – London |
Daily |
May 6 (year-round) |
| St. John's – London |
Daily |
May 7 – Oct. 21, 2016 |
*Service between Calgary and London will operate three times weekly from October 3, 2016 to April 29, 2017.
WestJet will fly a total of 56 weekly flights in both directions between Canada and London, including the only non-stop transatlantic service available from Winnipeg. Convenient connections are available from cities across Canada in both directions and service from Calgary and Toronto will operate on a year-round basis.
With the exception of flights from St. John's, which will operate on one of the airline's Boeing Next-Generation 737s, all London flights will be operated by one of WestJet's four 767-300 extended-range aircraft. Featuring the new teal and blue maple leaf-themed logo, which will eventually appear on all WestJet aircraft, each 767 seats 262 guests and has a range of approximately 11 hours. The aircraft includes a Plus cabin with 24 premium seats in a two-by-two-by-two configuration, hot meals and all other amenities associated with Plus. The main cabin has 238 seats, with two seats on either side of the aircraft and three in the middle. All four 767s will be equipped with WestJet Connect, the airline's new inflight entertainment and wireless connectivity system.
London (Gatwick) is WestJet's third transatlantic destination. In 2014, it launched non-stop service from St. John's to Dublin, followed by service between Halifax and Glasgow in 2015.
Some 45 airlines operate from Gatwick airport, offering WestJet guests low fares and easy connections to and from approximately 200 destinations in 90 countries, more destinations than from any other airport in the U.K. Located just 30 minutes from all of Central London's many attractions, Gatwick is also one of the easiest London airports to navigate, with a monorail connecting its two terminals, as well as easy access to Central London via a convenient express rail service leaving every 15 minutes (http://www.gatwickexpress.com/).
About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's highest-rated airline for customer service, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 150 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods ̶ even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in the Canada's Choice ranking (RewardsCanada.ca)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013/2012/2011 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)
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SOURCE WestJet
Media contacts: To contact WestJet media relations, please email [email protected].
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