WestJet launches first non-stop service from Calgary to Seattle

Canadian airlines are adding flights and planes as the recovery from COVID-19 continues

Click to expand

NEXT

© Michael King / Global News
WestJet launched its new non-stop flight to Seattle on Thursday. The route will run four times a week until it is increased to twice a day in May 2022.

A new non-stop destination appeared on the departure board at Calgary International Airport on Thursday morning. Calgarians can now fly direct to Seattle with WestJet four times a week.

The Calgary-based airline said the Pacific Northwest hub was chosen based on demand from Canadian customers, but added that the route will also be popular with Americans heading north.

“This route will strengthen economic ties between the regions,” said Chris Hedlin, vice president of networks and alliances for WestJet.

“(The Route) will stimulate Alberta’s visitor economy as we continue to strengthen our cross-border network from our global hub in Calgary.”

The airline will ramp up the service slowly, increasing the frequency to six times a week on December 20th, before launching daily in March and twice daily from May.

Continue reading: Ottawa lifts COVID-19 restrictions on international arrivals at 8 additional Canadian airports

Carmelle Hunka of the Calgary Airport Authority said Seattle will act as both a destination and a liaison hub for passengers.

“Seattle is a very well connected airport,” said Hunka. “(It connects to) 91 domestic routes in the United States, so it will move the people of Calgary through Seattle.

The route is currently served by a 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400, but WestJet said it will reevaluate the route based on demand to see if it could be better served by the larger Boeing 737 or 737 MAX .

Rajbir Bhatti, professor of supply chain management at Mount Royal University, said that airlines are adding more routes after such a difficult time is encouraging.

“That is good news,” said Bhatti. “It means that the aviation sector now looks like it is a 2019 business.

“The prognoses look good and we are back on track.”

Competitors are expanding too

WestJet wasn’t the only airline to introduce new routes in late October and early November.

Edmonton-based Flair Airlines flew its first US routes to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Phoenix, Hollywood-Burbank, Palm Springs, California and Las Vegas.

Continue reading: Canadian airlines are adding flights, capacity to make up for COVID-19 losses

Bhatti said the increased competition from budget airlines is good news for consumers.

“Right now, with the limited information we’ve had over the past few weeks, I guess prices will go down,” said Bhatti. “How much? We have to wait and see.”

Bhatti added that the price cuts will likely be limited to leisure and premium tickets and that consumers flying economy shouldn’t expect any savings.

Air Canada has also been encouraged by the recent surge in demand.

During its update for the third quarter, the airline announced it would move ahead with the delivery of two Airbus A220s that were originally part of a canceled order in November 2020.

It also noted that it has reached an agreement with Boeing to expedite delivery of four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which are now set to be delivered by the end of 2021.

Video: WestJet, partners agree to resume travel and tourism activities essential to economic recovery

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/travel/news/westjet-launches-first-non-stop-service-from-calgary-to-seattle/ar-AAQkWWD