Editing WestJet (section)

==History==
===1994–1999: First flights===
[[File:WestJet 737-200 C-GWJE.jpg|thumb|One of WestJet's Boeing 737-200s at [[Calgary International Airport]], July 1998]]
WestJet was founded on June 27, 1994,<ref>{{cite web |title=WestJet Airlines Ltd. |url=https://www.sedar.com/DisplayProfile.do?lang=EN&issuerType=03&issuerNo=00010649 |website=www.sedar.com}}</ref> by [[Clive Beddoe]], [[David Neeleman]], Mark Hill, Tim Morgan, and Donald Bell. WestJet was based on the low-cost carrier business model pioneered by [[Southwest Airlines]] and [[Morris Air]] in the United States. Its original routes were all located in [[Western Canada]], which gave the airline its name.

On February 29, 1996, the first WestJet flight (a [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-200]]) departed. Initially, the airline served [[Calgary]], [[Edmonton]], [[Kelowna]], [[Vancouver]] and [[Winnipeg]] with a fleet of three used [[Boeing 737#737-200|737-200]] aircraft and 225 employees. By the end of that same year, the company had added [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]], [[Saskatoon]] and [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]] to its network.

In mid-September 1996, WestJet's fleet was grounded due to a disagreement with [[Transport Canada]] over maintenance schedule requirements. The airline suspended all service for two weeks before resuming flights.<ref>{{cite news
| title = WestJet Returns September 1996
| publisher = CBC News Edmonton. Uploaded by:FDematos82.
| date = September 1996
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnMVap64lEU
| access-date = June 28, 2010}}</ref>

In early 1999, Clive Beddoe stepped down as WestJet's CEO and was replaced by former [[Air Ontario]] executive Steve Smith. In July 1999, WestJet made its [[initial public offering]] of stock at 2.5 million shares, opening at $10 per share.<ref>{{cite news |title=WestJet IPO makes a strong debut |publisher=CBC News |date=July 13, 1999 <!-- (Modified 2000-11-10) --> |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-ipo-makes-a-strong-debut-1.168576 |access-date=February 23, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107030849/http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/1999/07/13/westjet990713.html |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> The same year, the cities of [[Thunder Bay]], [[Grande Prairie]], and [[Prince George, British Columbia|Prince George]] were added to WestJet's route map.

In 2000, WestJet CEO Steve Smith was released from WestJet after 18 months in the position, apparently due to differences in management style;<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Keyser
| first = Tom
| title = WestJet's fun culture deserves to be copied
| newspaper = Business Edge
| date = October 18, 2000
| url = http://www.businessedge.ca/article.cfm/newsID/5058.cfm
| access-date = February 27, 2009
}}</ref> Smith went on to head rival Air Canada's low-cost subsidiary [[Zip (airline)|Zip]]. After Smith's departure, Clive Beddoe again became CEO of the company, a position he held until July 2007.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Sorensen
| first = Chris
| title = 'Mr. WestJet' stepping down as CEO - again
| newspaper = Toronto Star
| date = July 25, 2007
| url = https://www.thestar.com/Business/article/239460
| access-date = February 27, 2009
}}</ref>

===2000–2003: Domestic expansion===
[[File:Boeing 737-281-Adv, WestJet AN0152810.jpg|thumb|A WestJet Boeing 737-200 arriving at [[Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport]], April 2001. The airline began service into [[Eastern Canada]] in 2001.]]
Due to restructuring in the Canadian airline industry resulting from [[Air Canada]]'s takeover of [[Canadian Airlines]] in 2000, WestJet expanded into [[Eastern Canada]], beginning service to the cities of [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]] and [[Ottawa]], Ontario, and [[Moncton]], New Brunswick. The airline selected [[John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport]] to be the focus of its Eastern Canadian operations and its main connection point in Eastern Canada.

In 2001, WestJet's expansion continued with routes to [[Comox, British Columbia|Comox]], along with [[Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario|Sault Ste. Marie]], [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], [[Ontario]], [[Thompson, Manitoba|Thompson]] and [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]], [[Manitoba]]; however, service to each of these four cities has since been withdrawn. Service to [[Brandon, Manitoba|Brandon]], [[Manitoba]] and [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], [[Ontario]],<ref>{{cite press release
|title=WestJet to return to Sudbury
|publisher=Sudbury Star
|date=November 1, 2016
|url=http://www.thesudburystar.com/2016/11/01/westjet-to-return-to-sudbury |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> was subsequently resumed by WestJet's wholly owned subsidiary, WestJet Encore.

In 2002, the airline also added another two new Eastern Canadian destinations: the Ontario cities of [[London, Ontario|London]] and [[Toronto]]. In April 2003, WestJet added [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]], [[Montreal]], [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John's]] and [[Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador|Gander]].

WestJet entered into a two-year agreement with [[Air Transat]] in August 2003 whereby WestJet aircraft would be filled by Transat's two main tour operators, World of Vacations and Transat Holidays. These chartered flights operated largely to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean and the planes were operated by WestJet crews. This agreement between WestJet and Air Transat was amicably terminated in February 2009.<ref>{{cite press release
|title = Transat and WestJet agree amiably to terminate air transportation agreement
|publisher = WestJet
|date = February 13, 2009
|url = http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1702138323&view=87295-2&Start=0
|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130115152645/http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1702138323&view=87295-2&Start=0
|archive-date = January 15, 2013
|access-date = February 21, 2009
}}</ref>

In 2004, rival airline Air Canada accused WestJet of [[industrial espionage]] and filed a civil suit against WestJet in Ontario Superior Court. Air Canada accused WestJet of accessing Air Canada [[Trade secret|confidential information]] via a private website to gain a business advantage.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Air Canada suing WestJet |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=April 6, 2004 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040406.waircan0406/BNStory/Business/ |access-date=February 23, 2009 |location=Toronto |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429072033/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040406.waircan0406/BNStory/Business/ |archive-date=April 29, 2009}}</ref> On May 29, 2006, WestJet admitted to the charges levelled by Air Canada and agreed to pay C$5.5 million in legal and investigation fees to Air Canada and donate C$10 million to various children's charities in the names of Air Canada and WestJet.<ref>{{cite press release
| title = WestJet and Air Canada Issue Joint Press Release
| publisher = Marketwire
| date = May 29, 2006
| url = http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Westjet-596729.html
| access-date = February 23, 2009}}</ref>

===2004–2006: International expansion===
In January 2004, WestJet announced that it was moving the focus of its Eastern operations from Hamilton to Toronto the following April, fully moving into the lucrative Toronto–Ottawa–Montreal triangle and tripling the total number of its flights out of [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]].<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet shifts operations to Toronto from Hamilton |publisher=CBC News |date=January 14, 2004 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-shifts-operations-to-toronto-from-hamilton-1.474709 |access-date=February 22, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816183052/http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2004/01/14/westjet_040114.html |archive-date=August 16, 2009}}</ref>
[[File:C-FWCN Boeing 737 WestJet (8401794752).jpg|thumb|A WestJet Boeing 737-700 at [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]], October 2004. WestJet introduced flights to Phoenix and other U.S. cities in 2004.]]
In 2004, several U.S. destinations were added or announced. These included [[San Francisco]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]], [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] and [[LaGuardia Airport]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to begin flying to U.S cities in October |publisher=CBC News |date=February 4, 2004 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-to-begin-flying-to-u-s-cities-in-october-1.495469 |access-date=February 22, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322042856/http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2004/02/04/westjet_040204.html |archive-date=March 22, 2009}}</ref> In early 2005, [[Palm Springs, California|Palm Springs]] and [[San Diego]] were added to the company's list of destinations, while New York–LaGuardia was dropped. In April 2005, it announced new seasonal service to [[Charlottetown]] and ceased service to Gander. In fall 2005, [[Fort Myers, Florida|Ft. Myers]] and [[Las Vegas]] were added to the growing list of destinations.

In late August 2005, WestJet flew to [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]], transporting members of a Vancouver-based [[urban search and rescue]] team to assist with [[Hurricane Katrina]] relief efforts.<ref>{{cite press release
|title=2005 WestJet Annual Report
|publisher=WestJet
|year=2006
|url=http://www.westjet.com/pdf/investorMedia/financialReports/WestJet2005AR.pdf
|page = 14
|access-date=July 1, 2010}}</ref>

After rumours and speculation surrounding the implementation of [[ETOPS|extended-range twin-engine operations]] (ETOPS), WestJet announced new service to the [[Hawaii|Hawaiian Islands]] from Vancouver on September 20, 2005. In December 2005, the airline began flying from Vancouver to [[Honolulu]] and [[Maui]].

WestJet's first scheduled service outside Canada and the United States began in 2006, to [[Nassau, The Bahamas]]. This was considered a huge milestone within the company's long-term destination strategy and was a vital goal for future international market presence.

In September 2006, [[Sean Durfy]] took over as president of WestJet from founder Clive Beddoe.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 15, 2010 |title=Shakeup at WestJet as CEO Sean Durfy quits |publisher=theglobeandmail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/shakeup-at-westjet-as-ceo-sean-durfy-quits/article4310035/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016124216/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/shakeup-at-westjet-as-ceo-sean-durfy-quits/article4310035/ |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |access-date=October 10, 2023}}</ref>

On October 26, 2006, WestJet announced that it had its best quarterly profit to date, of C$52.8 million.

===2007–2009: Continued growth===
[[File:Boeing 737-7CT, WestJet Airlines JP6245865.jpg|thumb|A WestJet Boeing 737-700 landing at [[Princess Juliana International Airport]], October 2007. WestJet introduced several international seasonal flights that year.]]
In 2007, WestJet announced that it would begin flights from [[Deer Lake Regional Airport|Deer Lake]] in Newfoundland, [[Saint John, New Brunswick|Saint John]] in New Brunswick and [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo|Kitchener-Waterloo]] in Ontario. In June 2007, WestJet added seven new international seasonal flights to [[Saint Lucia]], [[Jamaica]], the [[Dominican Republic]], [[Mexico]] as well as a third Hawaiian destination, [[Kona International Airport|Kona]].

The same year, WestJet commissioned the construction of a new six-story head office building, next to their existing hangar facility at the Calgary International Airport. The building was constructed following the [[LEED|Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design]] (LEED) [[Green building|Green Building]] Rating System, featuring a rainwater retention system and geothermal heating. The first employees moved in during the first quarter of 2009, and the building officially opened the following May.<ref>{{cite press release
| title = WestJet welcomes its WestJetters "home"
| publisher = CNW Group
| date = May 4, 2009
| url = http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2009/04/c7829.html
| access-date = May 8, 2009}}</ref> The WestJet Campus building was certified as LEED Gold standard in October 2011.<ref>{{Cite news
|title = WestJet earns green gold
|newspaper = Calgary Herald
|date = October 21, 2011
|url = https://calgaryherald.com/business/WestJet+earns+green+gold/5578858/story.html
|access-date = October 21, 2011
}} {{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

In May 2008, WestJet launched daily non-stop service to [[Quebec City]]. The next month, WestJet commenced seasonal service between [[Calgary]] and New York City via [[Newark Liberty International Airport]]. In May 2009, the airline launched new seasonal service to the cities of [[Yellowknife]], [[Northwest Territories]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=WestJet launches service to and from Yellowknife |url=https://westjet.mediaroom.com/news-releases?item=299 |website=WestJet Media Room}}</ref> and [[Sydney, Nova Scotia]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=WestJet launches service to and from Sydney, NS |url=https://westjet.mediaroom.com/news-releases?item=301 |website=WestJet Media Room}}</ref> service to Yellowknife was later extended through the winter of 2009–10.

During the 2000s (decade), WestJet made significant gains in domestic [[market share]] against Air Canada. In 2000 it held only 7% to Air Canada's 77%, though by the end of 2009 WestJet had risen to 38%, against Air Canada's 55%.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Jang
| first = Brent
| title = WestJet closing gap with Air Canada
| newspaper = The Globe and Mail
| date = February 20, 2010
| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/westjet-closing-gap-with-air-canada/article1472230/
| access-date = February 20, 2010
| location = Toronto
| archive-date = February 21, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100221060111/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/westjet-closing-gap-with-air-canada/article1472230/

}}</ref>

In late April 2009, WestJet temporarily suspended service to several of its destinations in Mexico due to the [[2009 swine flu pandemic|outbreak of influenza A (H1N1)]] in the country. The suspension of service to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta lasted from early May until mid-June, with seasonal service to Cancún being restored the following fall.<ref>{{cite press release
|title = WestJet updates advisory for guests travelling to and from Mexico
|publisher = CNW Group
|date = April 28, 2009
|url = http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2009/28/c6245.html
|access-date = July 1, 2010
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100608143159/http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2009/28/c6245.html
|archive-date = June 8, 2010
}}</ref>

In July 2009, WestJet announced 11 new international destinations for its winter schedule. These included expanded service to the United States, to [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], [[Lihue, Hawaii|Lihue (Kauai), Hawaii]] and [[Miami]], Florida. New Caribbean destinations included [[Providenciales]], in the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]]; [[Sint Maarten]], [[Netherlands Antilles]]; [[Freeport, The Bahamas]]; as well as the cities of [[Varadero]], [[Holguín]] and [[Cayo Coco]] in [[Cuba]]. [[Ixtapa]] and [[Cozumel]] were also added to the list of destinations served in Mexico.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Simon |date=July 28, 2009 |title=WestJet's direct service to Grand Bahama |url=http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/bis-news-updates/WestJet_s_direct_service_to_Grand_Bahama_printer.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908140307/http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/bis-news-updates/WestJet_s_direct_service_to_Grand_Bahama_printer.shtml |archive-date=September 8, 2024 |work=The Bahamas Weekly}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WestJet adds 11 new U.S. and international destinations |url=https://westjet.mediaroom.com/news-releases?item=341 |website=WestJet Media Room}}</ref>

In November 2009, WestJet announced service to the British island territory of [[Bermuda]], which commenced in May 2010.<ref>{{Cite press release
| title = WestJet announces service to Bermuda
| publisher = CNW Group
| date = November 23, 2009
| url = http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2009/23/c4024.html
| access-date = January 27, 2010}}</ref> WestJet also resumed seasonal service to [[Windsor, Ontario]] that same month.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

=== 2010–2016: Overseas expansion ===
In March 2010, Sean Durfy resigned from his position as WestJet's CEO, citing personal reasons.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Ladurantaye
| first = Steve
| title = Shakeup at WestJet as CEO Sean Durfy quits
| newspaper = The Globe and Mail
| date = March 16, 2010
| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/shakeup-at-westjet-as-ceo-sean-durfy-quits/article1501575/
| access-date = July 1, 2010
| location = Toronto
| archive-date = May 29, 2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100529011831/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/shakeup-at-westjet-as-ceo-sean-durfy-quits/article1501575/

}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Gregg Saretsky]], a former executive at Canadian Airlines and [[Alaska Airlines]] and previously Vice-President of WestJet Vacations and Executive Vice-President of Operations.

In July 2010, WestJet announced service to [[Santa Clara, Cuba]], [[New Orleans]] and [[Grand Cayman]] bringing the total number of destinations to 71. Service to New Orleans lasted only one season and did not return the next year.

In late 2010, WestJet announced it was wet-leasing a [[Boeing 757]] aircraft to expand service between Calgary to Honolulu and Maui and Edmonton to Maui, on a seasonal basis.<ref name="mediaroom1">{{cite press release
| title = WestJet leases Boeing 757-200 to provide additional non-stop service from Alberta to Hawaii
| publisher = WestJet
| date = December 21, 2010
| url = http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=516
| access-date = October 22, 2010}}</ref><ref name="seattlepi1">{{cite news | url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/worldairlinenews/archives/232951.asp | title=WestJet to lease a Boeing 757-200 for Hawaii | access-date=December 24, 2010 | date=December 23, 2010 | newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref> Also that year, the [[Canadian Transportation Agency]] (CTA), an independent administrative [[tribunal]] of the [[Government of Canada]] that regulates airlines, found WestJet's baggage policies to be unreasonable and/or contrary to the requirements of the ''Canada Transportation Act'' and/or the ''Air Transport Regulations'' on several different occasions.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-airline-passenger-wins-3rd-baggage-complaint-1.874091 | title=Winnipeg airline passenger wins 3rd baggage complaint |work=CBC News |date=March 31, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/regulator-orders-westjet-to-boost-lost-luggage-compensation/article1814131/ |title=Regulator orders WestJet to boost lost luggage compensation | work=Globe and Mail |location=Toronto |first=Paul |last=Waldie |date=November 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/court-won-t-hear-westjet-appeal-on-luggage-liability-1.617459 | title=Court won't hear WestJet appeal on luggage liability | date=March 11, 2011 | publisher=CTV News | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309100209/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110311/westjet-denied-appeal-on-luggage-ruling-110311/ |archive-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fca-caf.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=10-A-42 | title=WESTJET AIRLINES LTD. v. CANADIAN {{sic|nolink=yes|TRANSPORTION}} AGENCY ET AL | date=March 10, 2011 | publisher=Federal Court of Appeal | access-date=May 7, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928103755/http://www.fca-caf.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=10-A-42 | archive-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/westjet-ordered-to-pay-for-damaged-bag-1.920596 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109075102/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2010/07/23/con-westjet-damage.html |url-status=live |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |title=WestJet ordered to pay for damaged bag |work=CBC |date=July 23, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/agency-quashes-westjet-limit-on-baggage-claims-109453324.html | title=Agency quashes WestJet limit on baggage claims | newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press}}</ref>

On January 26, 2011, after Air Canada terminated California service, WestJet announced plans to enter service to [[John Wayne Airport]] in [[Orange County, California]] from Vancouver and Calgary starting May of that year.<ref>{{cite web|title=WestJet announces service to Orange County|url=http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=521|publisher=WestJet|access-date=January 28, 2011 |date=January 26, 2011}}</ref>
[[File:C-GWCQ (8991062546).jpg|thumb|A WestJet [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-600]] at [[LaGuardia Airport]], May 2013. Scheduled service to the airport from WestJet began the previous year.]]
In November 2011, WestJet won an auction for time slots at New York's [[LaGuardia Airport]] ushering in a return to service to [[New York City|New York]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Jang |first=Brent |date=November 23, 2011 |title=WestJet wins coveted LaGuardia slots in New York City - The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/westjet-wins-coveted-laguardia-slots-in-new-york-city/article4184104/ |work=The Globe and Mail |location=Toronto}}</ref> Details of WestJet's scheduled service to LaGuardia were officially announced in January 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/911741/westjet-announces-service-to-laguardia |title=WestJet &#124; WestJet announces service to LaGuardia |publisher=Newswire.ca |access-date=May 23, 2012 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221234942/http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/911741/westjet-announces-service-to-laguardia }}</ref> From 2012 to 2014, WestJet further expanded into the United States by adding [[Chicago]] via [[O'Hare International Airport]], [[Dallas Fort Worth International Airport]], [[Myrtle Beach International Airport]], and New York's [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]].

On November 15, 2013, WestJet announced their first destination in Europe. Seasonal service from St. John's, Newfoundland to [[Dublin]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], would operate from June to October 2014.<ref name="dublin">{{cite press release|url=http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=828 |title=Céad míle fáilte! WestJet welcomes Dublin to our network|publisher=WestJet|date=November 15, 2013|access-date=November 23, 2013}}</ref>

In January 2014, WestJet chartered an [[Atlas Air]] [[Boeing 747-400]] to transport stranded passengers and luggage during the [[December 2013 North American storm complex|2013 Central and Eastern Canada ice storm]]. The charter flew from [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]] to [[Calgary International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://skiesmag.com/news/article/Westjet-charters-Atlas-Air-747-to-alleviate-YYZ-weather-back|title=Westjet charters Atlas Air 747 to alleviate YYZ weather backlog - Skies Magazine - Aviation is our Passion.|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref>

On July 7, 2014, WestJet announced that it was in the "advanced stages of sourcing" four wide-body aircraft that would begin flying by the fall of 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2014/07/07/westjet_to_fly_widebody_planes_in_2015.html |work=Toronto Star |first=Vanessa |last=Lu |title=WestJet to fly wide-body planes in 2015 |date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> These would initially serve on the seasonal Alberta-Hawaii routes when WestJet's service agreement with Thomas Cook Airlines—who currently fly these routes on behalf of WestJet—expires in the spring of 2015. WestJet would take delivery of four [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300ER]]s in summer 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/westjet-may-take-on-air-canada-with-move-to-wide-body-aircraft/article19490225/ |work=The Globe and Mail |first=Greg |last=Keenan |title=WestJet eyes international expansion with plane purchase |date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> WestJet took delivery of the first of these aircraft on August 27, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/08/27/calgary-based-airline-westjet-welcomes-boeing-767-300-into-fleet |work=Calgary Sun |first=Bill |last=Kaufmann |title=Calgary-based airline WestJet welcomes Boeing 767-300 into fleet |date=August 27, 2015 |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310190956/http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/08/27/calgary-based-airline-westjet-welcomes-boeing-767-300-into-fleet |archive-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/westjet-takes-delivery-of-first-of-4-boeing-767-300-aircraft |work=Financial Post |title=WestJet takes delivery of first of 4 Boeing 767-300 aircraft |date=August 28, 2015}}</ref>

On June 16, 2015, WestJet announced the launch of service to London's [[Gatwick Airport]] on May 6, 2016. It is the carrier's third transatlantic destination after Dublin and Glasgow. The majority of flights to London use the wide-body [[Boeing 767#767-300ER|767-300ER]] aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/06/16/westjet-london-gatwick_n_7597598.html?ir=Canada+Business|title=WestJet to Launch Service to London-Gatwick|work=Huffington Post Canada|date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=June 18, 2015}}</ref> On September 15, 2015, WestJet flights to London direct from Edmonton, St. John's, Vancouver, Winnipeg (seasonal) Calgary and Toronto (year-round) went on sale to the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-gatwick-transatlantic-1.3228846|title=WestJet to offer 1st transatlantic flights with bigger planes to London next spring|work=cbc.ca |access-date=October 12, 2016}}</ref> During winter months, WestJet continued to serve the seasonal [[Edmonton]] - [[Maui]], [[Calgary]] - [[Honolulu]], and Calgary - Maui flights with the 767-300ER aircraft before their eventual retirement in 2020.

===2017–2019: Transition to full-service carrier===
[[File:C-FONK Swoop Boeing 737-8CT s n 40835 (39783249613).jpg|thumb|A [[Swoop (airline)|Swoop]] [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800]]. WestJet established the [[low-cost carrier|low-cost]] subsidiary in 2017, which ceased operations on October 28, 2023, due to its re-integration.]]
In April 2017, WestJet announced plans to launch an ultra-low-cost carrier in late 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet plans to launch new discount airline|url=http://www.macleans.ca/economy/business/westjet-plans-to-launch-new-discount-airline/|access-date=April 21, 2017 |work=[[Maclean's]]|date=April 20, 2017}}</ref> The new airline would operate using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and compete with new entrants to the market, such as [[Flair Airlines]].<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to launch 'ultra-low-cost' no-frills carrier|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/west-jet-westjet-ultra-low-cost-carrier-airline-calgary-lower-fares-1.4077103|access-date=April 22, 2017|work=[[CBC News]]|date=April 20, 2017}}</ref> The launch of the new airline, named [[Swoop (airline)|Swoop]], was delayed until June 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-discount-airline-1.4230251 |title=WestJet delays launch of discount airline until 2018 |date=August 1, 2017|work=CBC News}}</ref>

On December 6, 2017, WestJet and [[Delta Air Lines]] signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding to extend their current codeshare agreement into a joint venture, pending regulatory and board approval.<ref>{{cite web |title=Delta and WestJet agree to form joint venture |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/delta-and-westjet-agree-to-form-joint-venture-662260053.html |website=Cision |publisher=WestJet |access-date=June 2, 2018}}</ref> On July 19, 2018, WestJet and Delta Air Lines signed a definitive ten-year agreement into a joint venture between the two airlines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.delta.com/delta-and-westjet-create-new-transborder-joint-venture|title=Delta and WestJet to create new transborder joint venture &#124; Delta News Hub|work=Delta News Hub |access-date=January 8, 2021}}</ref> This joint venture would have served more than 95% of the Canada–U.S. demand. The airlines' current frequent flier programs would also be updated to be more closely aligned, and the airlines will be co-located at key hub airports. However, in November 2020, Delta and WestJet agreed to scrap their plans for a joint venture, as the demands of the [[United States Department of Transportation]] were seen "unreasonable and unacceptable" by both airlines.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shepardson|first=David|date=November 21, 2020|title=Delta, WestJet scrap planned joint venture after U.S. demands|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-delta-air-westjet-idUSKBN28105J|access-date=April 12, 2021}}</ref>

While announcing an expansion of the senior leadership team on January 11, 2018, Gregg Saretsky reconfirmed the airline's strategic goal to become a global, full-service carrier.<ref>{{cite web|title=WestJet Prepares for Global Expansion|url=http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1308|publisher=WestJet|access-date=January 20, 2018}}</ref>

On March 8, 2018, the CEO of WestJet, [[Gregg Saretsky]] retired.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/westjet-airlines-chief-executive-gregg-saretsky-retires-replaced-by-ed-sims-1.3834169|title=WestJet Airlines chief executive Gregg Saretsky retires, replaced by Ed Sims|date=March 8, 2018|work=[[CTV News]]|access-date=March 8, 2018}}</ref> He was replaced by company vice-president, [[Ed Sims]].

On May 8, 2018, WestJet announced that it would be adding the [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner]] to its fleet. The first aircraft was delivered to the airline in January 2019.<ref name="auto"/>

On May 10, 2018, WestJet's unionized pilots voted 91 percent in favour of strike action. The key issue in negotiations was the outsourcing of work to operate [[Swoop (airline)|Swoop]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/westjet-pilots-vow-not-to-disrupt-long-weekend-as-a-goodwill-gesture-1.3924225|title=WestJet Pilots Vow Not to Disrupt Long Weekend as a Goodwill Gesture|date=May 10, 2018|work=[[CTV News]]|access-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref> On May 25, 2018, WestJet and the [[Air Line Pilots Association, International|Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)]] agreed to a settlement process through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://westjet.mediaroom.com/2018-05-25-Settlement-process-reached-between-WestJet-Pilots-and-WestJet|title=Settlement process reached between WestJet Pilots and WestJet|access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref>

On May 14, 2018, WestJet announced new 2-2 [[Premium economy class|Premium Economy]] seating to replace its previous 3-3 seats which had a middle seat blocker. The new seats feature a wider configuration on 737 aircraft. The offering began on its Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft in winter 2018,<ref name="WJComfortRedifined">{{cite web |title=Comfort Redefined |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/inflight/comfortredefined?sm_cid=social:brand:comfort-redefined:youtube |website=WestJet |access-date=August 31, 2018}}</ref> with all 737s being reconfigured by 2020.

On May 31, 2018, WestJet operated its first flight to [[Continental Europe|mainland Europe]] with the inaugural flight from [[Halifax Stanfield International Airport]] to [[Paris]]' [[Charles de Gaulle Airport]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://westjet.mediaroom.com/2018-06-01-WestJet-launches-first-flight-to-the-City-of-Light|title=WestJet launches first flight to the City of Light|access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref>

The [[Canadian Union of Public Employees]] (CUPE) announced its application to the Canadian Government for certification of WestJet's approximately 3,200 flight attendants on July 9, 2018. On July 31, 2018, the Government of Canada via the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) issued an interim order certifying CUPE as the accredited union for WestJet mainline flight attendants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/cupe-files-application-with-cirb-to-represent-westjet-flight-attendants-1.4006964|title=CUPE files application with CIRB to represent WestJet flight attendants {{!}} CTV News|website=www.ctvnews.ca|date=July 10, 2018 |access-date=January 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-union-cupe-says-1.4769327|title=3,000 WestJet cabin crew employees officially unionized, CUPE says |website=CBC News|date=August 1, 2018 |first1=David |last1= Bell |access-date=January 28, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:WestJet 787-9 takeoff.jpg|thumb|A WestJet [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-9]] taking off from [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]]]]

On October 12, 2018, WestJet announced its new branding, along with details on the arrival on the [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-9]]. WestJet changed its slogan from "''Owners Care''" to "''Love where you're going''", announced a new logo (however, such logo was seen in May with the announcement of the [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner#787-9|787 Dreamliner]] along with its livery), announced the Boeing 787 routes and launch dates, and an overall new brand image. Boeing 787 flights were announced to commence on April 28, 2019, with service from [[Calgary International Airport]] to London [[Gatwick Airport]], with service to [[Paris]] and [[Dublin]] following.<ref name="NewWestJet2018">{{cite web |title=Welcome to the new WestJet |date=October 12, 2018 |url=https://blog.westjet.com/welcome-to-the-new-westjet/
|website=WestJet |accessdate=October 13, 2018}}</ref>

On May 13, 2019, WestJet announced it had reached an agreement to be purchased by [[Onex Corporation]] for $5 billion Canadian dollars. At the time, it had 13 Boeing 737 Max jets in suspended operation, with another 57 of the type ordered from the manufacturer. The purchase price of WestJet was slashed heavily due to the grounding of the MAX aircraft.<ref name=gmjun>{{cite news |title=Onex slashed proposed offer for WestJet because of grounding of Boeing 737 Max planes |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-onex-slashes-proposed-offer-for-westjet-due-to-grounding-of-boeing-73/ |publisher=The Globe and Mail Inc. |date=June 24, 2019}}</ref>

===2020–2022: COVID-19 pandemic===
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] response required by world governments including Canada, WestJet faced an unprecedented decline in demand for flights along with the rest of the aviation industry. In addition, there were numerous cases of COVID-19 reported on board WestJet flights.<ref>{{citation|title=Impacted Flights – Coronavirus (COVID-19)|url=https://blog.westjet.com/operational-updates-coronavirus-covid-19/|publisher=WestJet|date=March 6, 2020}}</ref>

In March 2020, WestJet suspended all international flights,<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to suspend all international and U.S. flights for 30 days starting Sunday|url=https://business.financialpost.com/transportation/airlines/westjet-to-suspend-all-international-and-u-s-flights-for-30-days-starting-march-22|publisher=National Post|date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> resulting in widespread workforce adjustments. Approximately half of the employees, totalling 6,900, were laid off on March 24.<ref>{{citation|title=WestJetters step up to minimize layoffs during COVID-19 crisis|url=https://blog.westjet.com/westjetters-step-up-to-minimize-layoffs-during-covid-19-crisis/|publisher=WestJet|date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> Subsequently, on April 9, WestJet temporarily rehired 6,400 employees through the federal wage subsidy program (CEWS).<ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet plans to use federal wage subsidy to rehire 6,400 employees|url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/air-canada-to-use-federal-wage-subsidy-to-re-hire-employees-westjet-still-evaluating/|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=April 9, 2020}}</ref> Additional layoffs followed, with approximately 8,000 employees between April and June,<ref>{{cite news|title='Last resort': WestJet laying off 1,700 pilots|url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/last-resort-westjet-laying-off-1700-pilots/|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=April 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=WestJet to lay off 3,000 more employees as demand for service craters|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-layoffs-1.5541755|publisher=CBC|date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> as part of a restructuring plan, leaving only 4,500 employees on the payroll. Before the pandemic, WestJet employed over 14,000 individuals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stephenson |first1=Amanda |title=WestJet employee head count down to 25% of pre-COVID levels |url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/westjet-employee-head-count-down-to-25-of-pre-covid-levels |access-date=January 28, 2023 |work=Calgary Herald |date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> By February 2021, the company laid off an additional 250 staff members due to ongoing travel restrictions.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} However, it's noteworthy that a majority of employees were successfully recalled by February 2022, reflecting the company's efforts in adapting to the challenging circumstances.

===2022–present: Focus on Western Canada and strategic low-cost plan===
On June 16, 2022, WestJet announced that it will be reaffirming the airline's commitment to "embracing its cost-conscious roots in service of affordable air travel for Canadians". With this in mind, the current CEO has announced that the airline will be returning to its low-cost roots, shifting its focus to western Canada, and investing in leisure routes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Securing the future: how a growing, stronger, sustainable WestJet benefits Canadians |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2022/securing-the-future--how-a-growing--stronger--sustainable-westje |access-date=January 28, 2023 |work=www.westjet.com}}</ref> This change resulted in numerous routes and destinations in eastern Canada to be dropped.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pail |first=Anjuli |date=January 30, 2023 |title=WestJet cancels direct flights between 3 Canadian cities and Europe for summer 2023 |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/westjet-cancels-flights-between-halifax-and-europe-1.6730733 |access-date=May 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 10, 2023 |title=More N.B. flights cut: WestJet cancels Moncton-Toronto flights starting in May |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/west-jet-flight-moncton-1.6774805 |access-date=May 18, 2023}}</ref>

On September 29, 2022, WestJet announced it had placed an order for an additional 42 [[Boeing 737 MAX|Boeing 737 MAX 10]], making the airline's narrow-body order book the largest in Canada.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2022/westjet-group-furthers-growth-strategy--inking-deal-with-boeing- | title=WestJet Group inks deal with Boeing for an additional 42 737-10 aircraft plus 22 options}}</ref>

On October 6, 2022, WestJet's CEO, Alexis von Hoensbroech, and Alberta Premier, [[Jason Kenney]], announced a major partnership between the [[Government of Alberta]] and the WestJet Group. The agreement outlined that [[Calgary International Airport]] would become WestJet's sole global hub and the company would designate the airport as "the only airport where WestJet connects directly to intercontinental destinations"<ref>{{cite web |title=WestJet says it will make Calgary its global hub in announcing pact with province |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-agreement-calgary-hub-1.6607788 |website=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111082000/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/westjet-agreement-calgary-hub-1.6607788 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |url-status=live |last1=Sherif |first1=Omar}}</ref> Additionally, WestJet would base its entire [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]] fleet in Calgary, opening up the potential for new routes to Europe and Asia. WestJet would also base over 100 aircraft in Calgary and double its capacity at the airport before the end of the decade.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://onemileatatime.com/news/westjet-calgary/ | title=Bold: WestJet Goes All-In on Calgary | date=October 6, 2022}}</ref>

On December 5, 2022, WestJet announced its first destination in Asia, with service from [[Calgary International Airport]] to [[Narita International Airport]] beginning with three times weekly service on April 30, 2023. WestJet also announced new routes from Calgary to [[Barcelona–El Prat Airport]] and [[Edinburgh Airport]], both being served three times a week beginning in May 2023, as well as frequency increases on existing European routes as a part of their plan to increase capacity in Calgary by more than 25% in 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://westjet.mediaroom.com/2022-12-05-WestJet-announces-new-service-to-Japan-and-Europe-as-part-of-planned-expansion-from-YYC-Calgary-International-Airport | title=WestJet announces new service to Japan and Europe as part of planned expansion from YYC Calgary International Airport}}</ref>

In November 2023, WestJet announced the restart of transatlantic service in Eastern Canada utilizing its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, with the return of service from Toronto to [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]] and [[Edinburgh Airport|Edinburgh]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=WestJet growth plan soars with intercontinental expansion across Canada |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2023/westjet-growth-plan-soars-with-intercontinental-expansion-across1 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=www.westjet.com}}</ref> St. John's to [[Gatwick Airport|London (Gatwick)]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=WestJet addresses key air access gap from St. John's with addition of direct transatlantic flights to London |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2023/westjet-addresses-key-air-access-gap-from-st--john-s-with-additi0 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=www.westjet.com}}</ref> and Halifax to Dublin, Edinburgh and London (Gatwick). The airline also announced the expansion of transatlantic service from Calgary with new non-stop flights to [[Keflavík International Airport|Keflavík Airport]] in Reykjavik, Iceland. WestJet also revealed plans to expand its Asian footprint with new seasonal service from [[Calgary International Airport]] to South Korea's [[Incheon International Airport]].<ref name=":2" />

In June 2024, WestJet's aircraft mechanic union launched a three-day strike, forcing over 1000 flights to be cancelled in the lead up to the Canada Day long weekend.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maimann |first=Kevin |date=July 1, 2024 |title=WestJet cancellations continue after mechanics' strike ends, frustrating and confusing travellers |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/westjet-cancellations-continue-1.7251644 |work=CBC News}}</ref> In October 2024, WestJet will be transitioning all [[WestJet Link]] routes from Link to Encore, ending the airline's six-year capacity purchase agreement with [[Pacific Coastal Airlines]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=WestJet transitions WestJet Link routes to WestJet Encore for fall 2024 |url=https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2024/westjet-transitions-westjet-link-routes-to-westjet-encore-for-fa |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=www.westjet.com}}</ref> The change is announced as a growth strategy for WestJet's regional network, which will see the WestJet Link routes now being operated by WestJet Encore's 78-seat [[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|Bombardier Q400]], as opposed to Pacific Coastal's 34-seat [[Saab 340|Saab 340B]].