WestJet Airlines: Canada’s Friendly Skies Expanding Globally Founded on June 27, 1994 by aviation pioneers including Clive Beddoe and David Neeleman, WestJet began with a trio of Boeing 737‑200s to offer low-cost travel across Western Canada. Its inaugural flight on February 29, 1996, marked the start of a rapid domestic expansion to destinations like Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Winnipeg . WestJet stayed true to its low-cost roots while transforming into a full-service global carrier—introducing its regional arm, WestJet Encore, in mid‑2013 to serve smaller communities with De Havilland Dash 8‑400 turboprops . Its fleet modernization continued with the 737‑MAX in 2017 and Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner wide‑bodies in 2018, enabling long-haul flights such as Calgary–London launched in April 2019 Today, WestJet operates nearly 200 aircraft, serving over 120 destinations across North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia—landing twice in Asia with Calgary–Tokyo routes added in 2023 It also offers charters, cargo, and vacation packages through WestJet Vacations. Innovation remains central to its ethos. In 2018, WestJet became the first Canadian airline to launch an AI chatbot—Juliet—for travel planning and customer support Despite tremendous growth, WestJet faces challenges. Recent traveler feedback highlights inconsistent on-time performance—with about 71% arrival punctuality in 2024, placing it among the lower-tier North American carriers. Reddit users have shared frustrations: delays, scheduling issues, and shifts in service quality post-Onex acquisition appear to have affected passenger experience. Still, WestJet’s friendly brand identity, comprehensive network, and commitment to innovation—like its introduction of wide-body international flights and investment in modern fleets—maintain its solid appeal . Whether you're flying coast-to-coast or embarking on intercontinental adventures, WestJet offers warm hospitality in the skies. With further investments in reliability and digital tools, it continues to evolve as a formidable competitor in global aviation.