WestJet
A Canadian low-cost airline linking major domestic cities with destinations across the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, supported by an extensive multi-hub network.
About WestJet
WestJet was founded in Calgary in 1994 and began flying in 1996 as a low-cost alternative in the Canadian market. It expanded from a small western network into one of Canada’s principal airlines. The carrier became privately owned by Onex Corporation in 2019, while retaining the WestJet name and its established Canadian identity.
The airline serves 73 destinations across 15 countries on 311 routes. Toronto has the largest departure network, followed by Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal. Services connect major Canadian cities with points in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, including New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Cancun. Domestic links include Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax.
Aircraft types associated with its operations include Airbus A319s, Boeing 737-600s, 737-700s and 737-800s, including winglet-equipped variants. The recorded aircraft mix also includes MD-83s, Canadair Regional Jets in several configurations and Embraer ERJ regional jets, reflecting regional or partner-operated flying as well as mainline services. Available cabins and inclusions vary by aircraft, route and fare, with economy-oriented products forming the core offering.
WestJet is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, although it maintains commercial partnerships with selected airlines. WestJet Rewards is its loyalty programme, allowing members to earn and redeem WestJet dollars under the programme’s current rules. Benefits depend on tier, eligible spending, fare type and itinerary, so travellers should review the applicable conditions before booking.
A key strength is the breadth of WestJet’s Canadian network and the range of leisure destinations accessible from its major gateways. The main challenge is product variation: baggage, seat selection, flexibility and onboard amenities can differ substantially between fares and operating aircraft. Connections involving regional partners may also provide a different cabin experience from a mainline WestJet flight.
Good to know
Flying with WestJet — what to expect
Check Fare Inclusions
WestJet’s fare categories include different rules for carry-on baggage, checked bags, seat selection and changes. Review the inclusions for each flight segment before paying.
Carry-On Restrictions
The lowest fare category may permit only a personal item on many routes, subject to stated exceptions. Higher fares generally include a standard carry-on bag, but size and eligibility should be confirmed before travel.
Variable Cabin Products
Seat design, legroom and onboard amenities vary by aircraft and route. Regional or partner-operated services may offer a different experience from mainline WestJet flights.
Major Connection Points
Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver are important connection points, with Edmonton and Montreal also supporting substantial networks. Allow adequate transfer time when changing terminals or clearing Canadian border formalities.
Food And Entertainment
Onboard food, drinks and entertainment depend on flight length, cabin and aircraft. Download any required WestJet entertainment application and bring headphones before boarding.
Rewards Eligibility
WestJet Rewards earning and redemption depend on eligible fares and programme rules. Add your membership number before departure and retain travel documents until activity posts.
Network overview
Where WestJet flies
WestJet operates 311 routes to 73 destinations across 15 countries, its longest sector reaching Cancun to Vancouver (4,475 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities WestJet flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Cancun → Vancouver
4,475 km · CUN → YVR
The longest sector in the WestJet network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by WestJet
Tracked WestJet routes touch United States, Canada.
LAS - LAXLas Vegas → Los Angeles0h 56m381 kmLAX - SFOLos Angeles → San Francisco1h 8m544 kmLAX - LASLos Angeles → Las Vegas0h 56m381 kmSFO - LAXSan Francisco → Los Angeles1h 8m544 kmYVR - LAXVancouver → Los Angeles2h 30m1,741 kmLAX - YVRLos Angeles → Vancouver2h 30m1,741 kmORD - YYZChicago → Toronto1h 18m702 kmYYZ - ORDToronto → Chicago1h 18m702 kmDFW - LAXDallas → Los Angeles2h 47m1,983 kmLGA - YYZNew York → Toronto1h 10m573 kmLGA - YULNew York → Montreal1h 6m522 kmYUL - LGAMontreal → New York1h 6m522 kmYYZ - LGAToronto → New York1h 10m573 kmYYZ - YULToronto → Montreal1h 5m504 kmYUL - YYZMontreal → Toronto1h 5m504 kmReviews of WestJet
TripAdvisor · 2023–2023- 58
- 42
- 33
- 24
- 133
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
The Worst!
I booked this 7/31/2023 flight back in March. It is a code share flight with Delta. At the time of booking, I secured seats 4A and 4B for my husband and myself. This was a 50th anniversary trip and I wanted it to be special. 4A and 4B have extra legroom for my… See more very tall husband. I was unable to check in for the flight online and faced a long line at the airport. When I finally did check in, I was handed boarding passes for row 29, at the rear of the plane. The seats I carefully chose were taken away without explanation and I ended up in an uncomfortable seat in back better suited to a sardine than a human being. This is the ultimate cattle car, and the flight was almost two hours delayed as well. Do yourself a favor. If you must travel somewhere WestJet flies, find another carrier or just walk. You’ll be better off.
See lessPosted July 2023 by tkttoride
Terrible experience
Both my flights were delayed for over an hour. Did not check baggage because this airline has lost my luggage in the past. Upon boarding the plane I was forced to check my carry on because there was “no more room.” The flight attendants did not apologize or… See more make any effort to shift things around or make room. My bag had fragile items that were damaged and checking my baggage made me late for my pick up at my destination. The staff were unconcerned and did not try to help at all. Westjet used to be a good airline but no longer. I will be canceling my west jet elite Mastercard and flying with air Canada and porter from now on. What a terrible experience.
See lessPosted June 2023 by Michele M
"Have a great day"
We had traveled with Norwegian from Oslo to London and WestJet from London to Calgary and were ready for the last leg. Calgary to Victoria international airport. We had booked our tickets for a departure at 16:25, but they had changed it to 18:50, making our… See more trip last not 18,5 hours, but nearly 21 hours! I asked if they could change it back to the original time, and the supervisor told me that there were plenty of seats available on a flight 3 hours earlier, but since the change they had made to our tickets was minor (i.e., less than three hours) - she could not change it. She did not try to find any way to help me but was eager to tell me that the cheap ticket I had bought gave no flexibility - But WestJet could change my ticket, making my trip three hours longer - without asking me. They were unwilling to help, although they had plenty of seats on earlier flights. They were inflexible, and the supervisor was just eager to tell me to "have a great day." So, I sat there at the airport for three extra hours, and my trip from Oslo to Victoria lasted more than 21 hours. With WestJet, it is difficult to have a great day.
See lessPosted June 2023 by John Green
Covering Blunders by dirty tricks
West Jet Lost our two bags and were finally delivered after 38 hours, when applied for inconvenience as mentioned in their baggage lost policy we were told we can only reimburse the amount what you bought things which were in your bags if you didn't buy any… See more thing then there is nothing we offer. There is no inconvenience since you didn't replace ( by buying new ones ) your belongings - which were in your luggage - By this reply West jet was trying to tell us loosing bags is a right of West jet .. and We don't care about Passengers Inconvenience.. What a Shame ....
See lessPosted June 2023 by SAM C, Edmonton
Great service and comfortable flight
Very nice airline! Good media to keep me occupied for 8 1/2 hours. More food than I could consume in that time frame! Wonderful service from the flight staff. We had multiple offers of snacks and beverages, as well as a delicious meal. Our seats were roomy,… See more even in economy. I would fly this airline again in a heartbeat!
See lessPosted June 2023 by Mary
If you can't eat gluten, bring your own food.
With about 10% of the population either celiac or intolerant to gluten, you would think that an airline like Westjet would take that into consideration. I have flown Westjet many times. The past few times, I have flown Premium Economy. When I mentioned that I… See more can't eat gluten the flight attendant said she'd see what she could do. She came back with some jerky and some soft cheese and breadsticks (which had gluten). Another time, a flight attendant brought me a small tray full of snacks - chips, jerky, hummus etc. It is not a very nice feeling munching on a hunk of jerky when the person next to you is enjoying a lovely, hot, great smelling meal. So, pack your own snacks if you can't eat gluten, even if you are paying bigger bucks for Premium. (Oh and make sure that your snacks don't contain peanuts because if there is someone on board with a peanut allergy you will not even be allowed to open your snacks.) The lack of gluten free options is both disappointing and discriminatory.
See lessPosted June 2023 by sunflash
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
WestJet — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- WestJet flies throughout Canada and to international markets including the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Notable destinations include Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Cancun.
- WestJet’s longest route is Cancun to Vancouver, covering about 4,475 km nonstop.
- Prices are often lower when booked outside holiday periods, school breaks and peak winter-sun travel dates. Comparing flexible dates and booking earlier for popular routes can improve the chance of finding a lower fare.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee to the prices shown.
- Carry-on entitlement depends on the fare purchased, and the lowest fare category may allow only a personal item on many routes. Travellers should check WestJet’s current baggage rules for the applicable fare and ensure permitted items fit the published size limits.
- WestJet serves exactly 73 destinations across 15 countries, operating 311 routes.
- The busiest WestJet departure cities by number of routes are Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal, in that order.
- Toronto has WestJet’s largest departure network by route count. Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal are also major bases and connection points.