WestJet’s inaugural flight between Calgary and Washington D.C. took off

Source: WestJet

• Airline continues to bring increased capacity to Calgary with transborder network expansion
• WestJet also sees service between Edmonton and Minneapolis take off

WestJet celebrated the launch of its first-ever service between Calgary and Washington D.C., with the departure of WS1618 at 11:30 a.m. MST on 2 June 2023. With the inclusion of Washington D.C. to WestJet’s Calgary network along with new service to Detroit and the restoration of service to an expansive list of U.S. destinations, WestJet is increasing its Calgary transborder capacity by 46 per cent compared to Summer 2022, with direct service to 20 U.S. destinations across the country.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating the inauguration of our service between Calgary and Washington D.C. forming yet another meaningful connection between our home hub in Calgary and our southern neighbors, that will provide newfound, seamless access to the world-renowned monuments in the capital city of the United States” said Chris Avery, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Commercial Development. “Whether our guests crave access to Western Canada’s Rocky Mountains or the historical sites of Washington D.C., this new route will unlock instrumental opportunity for our guests to travel for business and leisure, bolstering business and tourism opportunities in both cities.”

“We are delighted about WestJet’s new flight between Calgary and Washington D.C.,” said Chris Miles, Vice President, Operations and Infrastructure, The Calgary Airport Authority. “Focused on connecting people and places, YYC Calgary International Airport is proud to be the first impression of Alberta’s western hospitality for business and leisure travellers.  We look forward to continuing to support our partners’ growth, and welcoming guests from around the world.”

The departure of WS1618 is the first of three weekly flights that will travel between Calgary and Washington D.C. this summer.

“We are thrilled to welcome WestJet to the Washington Dulles family today,” said Chryssa Westerlund, executive vice president and chief revenue officer for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. “WestJet’s new service from Dulles International to Calgary offers exciting leisure and business opportunities for Western Canadians to experience Washington, D.C., and the National Capital Region.”

New route Edmonton – Minneapolis to build on WestJet’s expanding network of transborder connections from Alberta’s provincial capital

WestJet celebrated the commencement of its nonstop transborder service between Edmonton and Minneapolis, with the departure of WS1546 at 9:45 a.m. MST also on 2 June 2023. Growing Edmonton’s aviation pipeline, the new route unlocks direct connectivity from Alberta’s capital to the Midwest United States and beyond. With the inclusion of Minneapolis to Edmonton’s network, WestJet has increased Edmonton’s transborder capacity this summer by over 150 per cent and its total network capacity by over 40 per cent marking the airline’s largest network expansion from a single city in its history.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating the departure of our third of five inaugural routes from Edmonton today, signifying our expanding commitment to the capital of WestJet’s home province,” said Chris Avery, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Commercial Development. “Through our new service connecting Edmonton and Minneapolis, WestJet is doing our part to further enhance the economic success of the communities we serve through the implementation of strategic routes that serve to stimulate vital business and tourism opportunities.”

“WestJet has been an important partner for YEG since their inception, more than 27 years ago, and we are proud that our relationship continues to grow and strengthen. We are excited to celebrate their renewed commitment to YEG and welcome this important air service link for our community. This new non-stop route to Minneapolis is an exciting addition to the more than 50 non-stop destinations at YEG and will serve as an important connection for business, tourism and cargo,” Myron Keehn, President & CEO, Edmonton International Airport (YEG).

The departure of WS1546 is the first of five weekly flights that will travel between Edmonton and Minneapolis this summer.

New U.S. connectivity unlocks a network of opportunity with increased access to Delta hubs

Through its longstanding partnership with Delta Air Lines, guests connecting through Minneapolis will arrive in one of the U.S. airline’s major hubs, gaining access to a vast network of U.S. destinations via our partner Delta Air Lines, including Boston, Miami, New York, Washington D.C. and more, on a single purchased ticket with check-in for all flights at the first departure, baggage tagged to their final destination and lounge access for select guests. Additionally, frequent flyers of both airlines will continue to enjoy extensive reciprocal benefits any time they fly with either carrier, including earning and redeeming in their preferred program.