Westjet's East Coast Expansion

WestJet has not flown out of Saint John, New Brunswick since 2011. However, its ultra low-cost airline Swoop has been flying multiple times per week into Saint John since April 2022, accommodating up to 80 passengers. As of May 2022, Swoop has also been flying 190-passenger jets into Saint John.

WestJet has not flown out of Saint John, New Brunswick since 2011

Swoop's arrival has been accompanied by expansion plans for Saint John Airport, including an almost doubling of the departure lounge's size to accommodate 300 people. The airport's CEO, Sandy Ross, has also indicated that bigger jets and more destinations are on the table. This is good news for travellers in the region, who will have more options and greater comfort when flying.

While WestJet itself may not be flying out of Saint John, its subsidiary Swoop is playing an important role in boosting connectivity and tourism in the area. Swoop's jets can carry up to 190 passengers, a significant increase from the typical 50 to 80 passengers that flights into and out of Saint John previously accommodated. This increase in passenger capacity will help to make air travel more accessible and convenient for the residents of Saint John.

In addition to Swoop, Air Canada, Jazz, and Sunwing also offer flights from Saint John, ensuring that travellers have a range of options to choose from. With the expansion of the airport and the introduction of larger jets, it is likely that even more airlines will consider serving this route in the future, further improving travel options for the region.

Swoop, WestJet's low-cost airline, flies to Saint John

WestJet has not flown out of Saint John, New Brunswick since 2011. However, since April 2022, Swoop, WestJet's low-cost airline, has been flying into Saint John multiple times per week.

Swoop is a Canadian ultra-low-cost airline owned by WestJet. It was launched in June 2018 and is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The airline was founded in 2017 as Canada's newest ultra-low-cost carrier, with ticket prices projected to be 40% cheaper than WestJet. Swoop's inaugural flight was in 2018, with a service from Hamilton to Abbotsford. The airline also has a secondary hub at Edmonton International Airport, which serves as its western base.

Swoop's fleet consists of Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with 189 standard Economy Class seats. The seats are comparable to any other 737-800 plane and are comfortable for flights up to 3.5 hours. The airline offers unique amenities, including Wi-Fi, streamed in-flight entertainment, and USB ports and AC power outlets at every seat.

Swoop provides a no-frills service, allowing passengers to add on services as desired. This means you can choose a seat-only ticket or pay extra for baggage, food, and Wi-Fi. The airline has a baggage policy that allows passengers to bring one personal item onboard for free, but any additional baggage must be purchased.

Swoop has received mixed reviews, with some passengers complaining about cancellations, delays, and customer service issues. However, others have found the airline to be a good option for saving money on flights, especially when combined with the convenience of direct flights.

Saint John Airport is expanding to accommodate bigger jets

Saint John Airport in New Brunswick is undergoing expansion to accommodate bigger jets and a new airline. The airport's departure lounge will almost double in size to nearly 5,000 square feet, up from 3,000 square feet, allowing it to seat about 300 people, up from 140. The expansion will involve "moving into some dead space" surrounding the area, reorienting ticket desks, and expanding the walls of the entire departure area. In addition to the expanded departure lounge, the airport will also feature new dining options, including a dining area inside the departure lounge.

The expansion is being undertaken to accommodate bigger jets and a new airline, Swoop, WestJet's ultra-low-cost airline, which began flying 190-passenger jets into Saint John in May 2022. Swoop and Flair Airlines, which already served the airport, will now fly bigger jets, increasing the number of passengers per flight to Saint John to 190, up from the typical 50 to 80.

The arrival of bigger jets and a new airline is expected to lead to more destinations being served from Saint John Airport. Flair and Air Canada currently fly from Saint John to Toronto's Pearson International Airport, and Swoop will also fly this route starting May 2022. Flair will also begin flying from Saint John to Kitchener's Region of Waterloo International Airport starting June 2022. The airport's CEO, Sandy Ross, has indicated that additional destinations are being considered.

The expansion of Saint John Airport is part of an aggressive expansion plan by both the airport and Swoop to grow the airport and improve airline connectivity, providing better service to Saint John residents and boosting tourism.

Flair Airlines flies to Saint John three times a week

WestJet has not flown out of Saint John, New Brunswick, since 2011. However, Flair Airlines flies to Saint John three times a week.

Flair Airlines is a budget airline that flies to Saint John Airport (YSJ) in New Brunswick. The airline offers flights to Toronto three days a week during the summer, an upgrade from the two days offered in 2022. The airline's seasonal service ceases during the fall and winter seasons.

Fares for Flair Airlines flights from Saint John start at CAD49 for a one-way, non-refundable ticket, with taxes and fees included. Additional fees and charges for optional products and services may apply, and there are limited seats available for a limited time.

Flair Airlines is the second airline operating out of Saint John Airport, along with Air Canada. The airport has plans to expand and accommodate bigger jets, with an expanded departure lounge and new dining options.

WestJet is the second-largest Canadian air carrier

WestJet is Canada's second-largest airline, with only Air Canada ahead of it in the rankings. It is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta and operates an average of 777 flights per day, carrying over 66,130 passengers. WestJet's fleet primarily consists of Boeing jets, with a total of 111 aircraft as of 2023.

WestJet was founded on 27 June 1994 and began operations in 1996 as a low-cost carrier, with its first flight taking place on 29 February 1996. The airline initially served Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, and has since expanded to over 100 destinations throughout Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Europe, and the Caribbean.

WestJet's fleet includes Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, with variants such as the 737-600, 737-700, and 737-800. They also operate the 737 MAX, with orders for the MAX 7, MAX 8, and MAX 10. Additionally, WestJet has the 787 Dreamliner in its fleet, with plans to expand its intercontinental destinations.

The airline has two direct subsidiaries: WestJet Encore, which operates the Bombardier Q400 on routes in Western Canada, and WestJet Cargo, which operates converted Boeing 737 passenger aircraft for cargo use.

In December 2019, WestJet was acquired by Kestrel Bidco Inc., a subsidiary of Onex Corporation, transitioning from a publicly traded company to a private one. This acquisition further solidified WestJet's position as a significant player in the Canadian and North American aviation industry.

Frequently asked questions