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WestJet

Types of Travelers

Business Travlers

4/5

Not much business class service, but good nationwide reach in Canada

Family Traveler

4/5

Good alternative to AirCanada

Backpacker
Adventure Traveler

4/5

Service to Canadian and Caribbean adventure destinations.

Student
Budget Traveler

5/5

Canada’s only real low-cost airline

Elderly
Disabled Traveler

3/5

Standard accessibility

Long Term Traveler

4/5

Good reach around the country

Novice Traveler

3/5

A relatively user-friendly airline

Introduction

WestJet was founded in Canada in 1996.  It sought to duplicate the model used by Southwest Airlines.  Originally, it served  only Western Canada (thus its name).  In the early 2000s, WestJet moved into Eastern Canada.  It gained a measure of success when it started offering flights into Toronto.  The airline expanded service to the US in the mid-2000s and recently added service to Mexico and the Caribbean.

WestJet is a low-cost-carrier, but it has good in-flight entertainment options and decent customer service, features that are not always associated with low-cost-carriers.  With its recent growth, WestJet is now Canada’s second largest carrier and is enjoying a level of success similar to US-based LCCs like Southwest and JetBlue.


Ratings

Important Factors 4/5

Average Delay

11%

Cancelled Flights
(average per month)

>1%

Customer Satisfaction Rating

3-star rating from Skytrax

Types of Aircraft

Boeing 737

General 4/5

Number of Domestic Flights (Daily)

71

Number of International Flights (Daily)

13

Size of Fleet

90

Major Airports and Destinations Served

Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, LA, Las Vegas, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal

Location of Hub

Calgary, Toronto Pearson

Countries Served

US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean

Number of Routes
Most Popular Routes

Toronto to Vancouver, Calgary to Toronto, Toronto to Montreal

In-Flight 4/5

Which Routes offer Meal Service?

For purchase only on longer flights

Food Quality

4/5

In-flight Menu

Snacks, locally-made sandwiches

Average Leg Room

31

Types of In-flight Entertainment

LiveTV (satellite TV)

Baggage 5/5

Baggage Fees

none

Number of Bags Allowed

2

Weight Limits and Restrictions

50 lbs

Web Site 5/5

Online Check-in

Yes

Web Site Usability

excellent

Special Needs 4/5

Handicap Accessibility

average

Pets

$50 one-way

Special Offers /Partners 3/5

Airline Alliance Membership

None. partner airlines include China Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Air France.

Hotel Partners

none

Competing Airlines

Air Canada

Strengths
  • Service throughout Canada and to US and Caribbean
  • Cheap fares
  • Good in-flight entertainment
  • Good customer service record.

Weaknesses
  • No free meals on domestic flights
  • No real low-cost competition on many routes

Frequent Flier Program and Airport Lounges

WestJet operates lounges in Calgary, Montréal, Vancouver, Toronto and Winnipeg. It offers the Frequent Guest Program to regular customers. This is an easy-to-understand program that awards “WestJet dollars” depending on the number of dollars that a customer spends on tickets or other WestJet products. Awards are figured in dollars and include free companion flights once a certain level is reached.

Conclusion

WestJet is the only real low-cost option for many Canadian fliers. It has become the main alternative to the near monopoly that AirCanada previously had on many routes. With the expansion of service over the past five years, WestJet has joined the list of budget airline successes that includes JetBlue and Southwest Airlines. It is a viable option for travelers in Canada and the US.