WestJet

History

WestJet was founded on 27 June 1994 in Calgary, Alberta, launching as a low-cost alternative to Canada's legacy carriers and growing over the following two decades into Canada's second-largest airline. It went private in December 2019 when Onex Corporation acquired it for roughly CAD 5 billion, and in May 2023 WestJet completed the acquisition of leisure carrier Sunwing Airlines, whose integration into WestJet's operations has continued in subsequent years.

Current Operations

WestJet operates an all-Boeing mainline fleet (737-600/700/800 aircraft alongside a growing number of 737 MAX 8/10s and 787-9 Dreamliners for long-haul routes) plus Bombardier Q400 turboprops flown by regional subsidiary WestJet Encore, built around a primary global connecting hub at Calgary (YYC) and a major secondary hub at Toronto Pearson (YYZ). The airline is majority-owned by Onex Corporation, with minority stakes held by Delta Air Lines and Korean Air reflecting codeshare and investment partnerships; it is not a member of any of the three major global alliances. WestJet has continued expanding internationally, adding Asian routes to Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon and announcing a first South American route to São Paulo for late 2026, while placing a large order for additional 737 MAX 10 and 787-9 aircraft in September 2025.

Last verified 2026-09-02· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.

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