As Canada’s second-largest airline, Calgary-based WestJet operates a fleet of over 111 aircraft.
Having started operations in 1996 as a low-cost carrier, the airline is much, much younger than
Air Canada - which itself began operations as Trans-Canada Airlines in 1937. Despite the age
difference, WestJet has grown to become a serious rival for Air Canada - not just in the domestic
market, but also when it comes to US, European, and Caribbean services. Today, we examine the
all-Boeing fleet of WestJet, its journey thus far, and what will come next for the airline.
Founded on June 27th, 1994, WestJet’s early operations were based on a model developed
by American low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines. The carrier planned to offer
budget flights throughout the provinces of western Canada but has since expanded immensely.
The airline began services with 225 employees and a fleet of just three used Boeing 737-200s.
With its first flight taking place on February 29th, 1996, the airline initially operated
services from Calgary to Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. However, the carrier
would end its first year of operations having added Regina, Saskatoon, and Victoria, as well.
WestJet’s fleet today has come a long way from those three 737-200s in 1996. Today,
these are the aircraft types and variants flown by the all-Boeing airline:
41 737-700s 40 737-800s
23 737 MAX 8s And finally, Seven 787-9 Dreamliners
Up until the pandemic, WestJet had also been operating the Boeing 737-600 - a
relatively unpopular variant of the 737 Next Generation family.
Interestingly, WestJet’s 13 112-seat -600s made the Canadian carrier one of the largest remaining
operators just a few years ago - particularly following SAS retiring the type in 2019.
However, in the wake of coronavirus, the airline removed reference to the -600 from
the "Our aircraft" page on its website, and eventually sent all the aircraft to storage.
With two years now having passed since these jets made the trip to Marana Pinal
Airport in Arizona, we can rule out this variant from ever coming back to WestJet.
Indeed, earlier this year we also reported on WestJet’s plan
to sell seven of its 737-600s to Atlanta-based Aventure Aviation.
The seven aircraft in question hold serial numbers 34284, 34285, 34286, 34287, 34288,
35111, and 35112. Considering all of these aircraft are -600s are sitting in Arizona,
it’s at least good to hear that WestJet was able to find a buyer for a few old airframes.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Aventure Aviation specializes in the 'tear
down' of various aircraft, selling parts to various other airlines and organizations.
As the airline continues to modernize its narrowbody fleet with MAX-generation aircraft,
we can see that other older 737s have been phased out in recent times as well.
Prior to the pandemic, in 2018, WestJet began shifting some of its 737-800s
over to its low-cost subsidiary Swoop. A total of 10 jets were transferred over,
while Swoop has also been getting brand new MAX 8s in recent times, to build its fleet further.
An exciting piece of news regarding the airline’s narrowbody fleet is that WestJet’s cargo division
will begin service with its new Boeing 737 converted freighters this season.
The airline reported in March that it had received approval and official
aircraft certification from Transport Canada,
and said that it will work alongside the GTA Group to get the aircraft into service quickly.
WestJet noted that the freighters would be dedicated freighters supporting the needs
of businesses, freight forwarders, shippers, and individual customers across North America.
In total, four 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighters) will join the airline's fleet
throughout the year. Indeed, the first departure is set for April 22nd, 2023. The carrier adds
that the first three aircraft would be welcomed into the fleet expeditiously, while the fourth
will join the operation later this year, following the completion of its conversion.
When it comes to the future of WestJet’s narrowbody passenger fleet, we feel confident
in saying that it will consist entirely of 737 MAX aircraft years into the future.
According to official Boeing data pulled from its Website,
the airline has placed 3 separate orders for the 737 MAX.
The first was in September 2013 for 65 airframes, followed by an October
2017 order for five. Most recently, the airline committed to 42 737 MAX jets in September 2022.
These figures aren’t cumulative, however,
as WestJet has adjusted its 737 MAX deals over the years. As just one example,
the airline canceled part of its order in 2021, reducing its commitment by 15 airframes.
According to ch-aviation data, the airline’s current commitment for 737 MAX aircraft sees
60 airframes yet to be delivered. This consists of 12 MAX 8s, and 48 MAX 10s.
Speaking about the airline’s significant MAX 10 order placed in 2022, WestJet Group CEO,
Alexis von Hoensbroech, was quoted as saying:
"The 737-10 will be a game changer, with one of the lowest costs per seat
among mid-range aircraft. This will foster our low-cost positioning and affordability
for Canadians…In addition, with its lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions,
the 737-10 will further improve the environmental footprint of our fleet."
As noted previously, WestJet’s widebody fleet today consists of just seven Boeing 787-9s.
Interestingly, however, the carrier had operated a different Boeing
widebody in advance of its Dreamliner services.
From 2015 to 2020, WestJet operated four Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.
While the pandemic brought about a swift and decisive retirement,
the aging widebodies were never going to be part of WestJet’s long-term operations.
WestJet took its first Boeing 767-300ER aircraft in the second half of 2015 - marking
its first-ever widebody. The addition of the type allowed it to enter the transatlantic
market, making London Gatwick its first-ever European destination.
As per a June 2015 statement, Executive Vice-President Bob Cummings stated:
"WestJet is at the right scale to make this step in our evolution. Combined
with our low-cost approach and renowned people-driven service, we have the network,
brand and infrastructure to successfully enter and grow in the wide-body market...Widebody
capability now allows us to serve London Gatwick from anywhere in
Canada and brings into consideration more international destinations in the future.”
The airline had acquired these used aircraft from Australian carrier Qantas,
most of them, at the time, being over 20 years old.
Indeed, Canadians and other customers of WestJet might have been impacted
first-hand by the age of the aircraft and the difficulties in sourcing parts.
As noted by CAPA in July 2016, the airline faced mechanical problems with its 767s which then
lead to cancelations and operational challenges. Naturally, this resulted in passenger frustration
but also required the airline to re-accommodate these customers at WestJet’s expense.
CAPA also reported at the time that a June 2016 employee video showed WestJet CEO at the time,
Gregg Saretsky, characterize the 767 flights as a hobbled
operation - admitting that the type had been “creating issues and mechanical problems.”
But, in a way, the Boeing 767s served their purpose at the time - which was
to allow WestJet to get a feel for and become accustomed to long-haul widebody operations.
In fact, less than two years after it launched 767 flights to London,
WestJet would announce a purchase agreement with Boeing for up to
20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft - an agreement which would include commitments
for 10 787-9s to be delivered between the first quarter of 2019 and December 2021.
The deal would see options for an additional 10 aircraft to be delivered between 2020 and 2024.
WestJet would take delivery of its first three 787s in 2019, followed by another three
in 2020. The airline’s 7th Dreamliner would then arrive in September 2022.
Quite interestingly, the seventh Dreamliner appears to be the final aircraft of its type
to go to WestJet as it appears that the airline quietly canceled its remaining
commitments. It’s quite possible that, rather than outright canceling its order,
the remaining 787 orders were converted 737 MAXs instead.
Since the 787s entered service, WestJet has expanded its list of intercontinental
destinations. The carrier added year-round and seasonal services to cities like Rome,
Paris, and Amsterdam and is due to add Edinburgh and Barcelona to the list as well.
Perhaps the airline’s most exciting upcoming route will be its Calgary to Tokyo Narita service,
which will commence at the end of April - WestJet’s very first transpacific service!
Somewhere along the way, WestJet abandoned its low-cost operating model and has become a much
more full-service airline to compete with Air Canada. While it spun-off low-cost operations
with its Swoop subsidiary, the carrier’s addition of the 787 Dreamliner and its lie-flat business
class seating was perhaps the clearest signal of this shift away from its budget-airline roots.
But what do you think of WestJet and its fleet? Do you think it could ever move away from Boeing or
will it remain loyal to the US planemaker? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment!