WestJet to Expand Intercontinental Network for Summer 2024
- Joe Breitfeller
- Nov 15, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 16, 2023
WestJet will expand their intercontinental network for summer 2024. Driven by their growing Boeing 737 MAX fleet, the carrier will reintroduce service between Eastern Canada and Europe, and also launch new service between Calgary and Reykjavik (Keflavik).
On Wednesday (November 15, 2023), WestJet announced an expansion of their intercontinental network to/from across Canada for summer 2024. The carrier will reintroduce flights from Eastern Canada and Europe, and also launch new service between Calgary and Reykjavik (Keflavik) in Iceland. Strengthening their presence in Western Canada, WestJet will also enhance their Boeing 787 Dreamliner hub with increased frequencies and new, exclusive daily service to Japan.
On Wednesday’s announcement, WestJet Group’s EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, John Weatherill, said,
“Today’s announcement underscores our commitment to affordably connecting Canadians from coast-to-coast to some of the world's most popular destinations. As we continue to expand upon our growth story, we are not only providing increased accessibility to Canadians but fostering crucial connectivity between communities and driving economic growth through inbound leisure and business travel.
“In consultation with local partners, we agreed to announce our intention to begin service to Keflavik in May; we will continue to closely monitor volcanic activity in the region and follow the recommendations of local authorities.”
Keflavik Airport’s Director – Airline Relations & Route Development, Grétar Már Garðarsson, added,
“We at Keflavik Airport are thrilled to welcome our new partners at WestJet to Iceland. WestJet is showing great confidence in Iceland as a destination, and we look forward to welcoming their passengers to our beautiful country. In addition, Icelandic travellers can fly to Calgary and enjoy all that the city and the province of Alberta has to offer. WestJet is an important and welcome addition to our Airport Community, a strong partner for years to come.”
Starting May 15, 2023, WestJet will offer four weekly exclusive flights between Calgary and Keflavik. The service will be further enhanced by the carrier’s interline agreement with Icelandair, enabling guests to travel across both networks on a single boarding pass, with the convenience of a single check-in and baggage tagged and checked through to their final destination.
WestJet is also reconnecting Eastern Canada with Europe for summer 2024, with service from Toronto to Dublin and Edinburgh, Halifax to Dublin, Edinburgh and London, and between St. John’s and London. Western Canadians will also enjoy increased frequencies between Calgary and Tokyo-Narita, as well as to six transatlantic destinations, including Rome, Barcelona, Edinburgh, Paris, London and Dublin.
In 27 years of service, WestJet has cut airfares for Canadians in half and increased the flying population around Canada by over 50 percent. The airline launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, and has now grown to more than 180 aircraft and 14,000 employees, offering service to over 100 destinations in 26 countries.
Source: WestJet
