westjet vacations travel protection 2022

WestJet Vacations - Baggage and Travel Protection Plan 

Westjet baggage fees.

When is your first bag free?

First bag fees are included when you have a WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard. The primary cardholder can cover the cost of the 1st bag for up to 8 guests on the same booking (not bad).

First bag fees are also included for: EconoFlex, Premium and Business fares.   WestJet Rewards members with Silver, Gold and Platinum status as well.

Second bags  are included for Premium and Business guests, as well as Silver, Gold, and Platinum Rewards members

Excess bags are included for Platinum Rewards members only.

You will be able to prepay for up to two pieces of checked baggage on WestJet operated flights when you book online or through  Manage Trips  at any time up to 24 hours before your flight.

Checked baggage fees may also be paid when you  check-in online or at the airport 24 hours to 60 minutes before you fly.  Watch out though because paying for you bags at this time adds an extra $10 per bag, so guests are encouraged to pre-pay for their first and second bags in advance.

FEES: Flights operated by WestJet :

• A fee of $30.00-35.40 CAD/USD will be charged for the first piece of checked baggage
• A fee of $50.00-59.00 CAD/USD will be charged for the second piece of baggage; and
• $100.00-118.00 CAD/USD for a third or fourth piece when selecting the pre-paid baggage option through the Contact Centre or self-managing through Manage Trips in advance of the 24-hour check-in window.
• If paying within 24hrs, add $10 more dollars
• Vacations booked with a Premium fare or Business fare receive 2 free checked bags. A fee of $100.00-118.00 CAD/USD will be charged for overweight or oversized baggage.
• Select sporting and hunting equipment are subject to a handling fee of $50.00-59.00 CAD/USD.

Currency will be based on the location of fee payment; outside of Canada all fees will be charged in USD.

For complete checked baggage information, visit https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/baggage/allowance . For a list of checked baggage fees, visit https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/flights/fees .

If all this is a lot… BOOK WITH JAZZ

WestJet Vacations  Travel Protection Plan 

WESTJET    TRAVEL PROTECTION    $89pp  (during the holidays it can run up to $149pp)

The WestJet Vacations Travel Protection Plan must be purchased at the time of booking by all guests sharing a room in vacation packages and land-only bookings to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean and is non-refundable.  The exceptions are to those traveling to Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts.

One-time Free Name Change : Name changes can be made up until seven (7) days prior to departure. More than one name change can be completed within the same phone call for no fee. Single occupancy name changes are not permitted.

One-time Change Fee Waived : Changes to departure dates, destinations, room categories or occupancy can be made up until seven (7) days before departure, subject to hotel and flight availability. If the change(s) results in an increase to the vacation package or land-only booking price, the difference in price must be collected from the guest; no refund is issued if the new price is lower than the original price, and for clarity, the balance is forfeited by the guest. More than one change can be completed within the same phone call for no change fee.

Cancellation Fee Waived :

• Cancellations will be accepted 21 days or more before departure on vacation packages, or before the first hotel’s check-in on land-only bookings, and the booking price will be refunded back to the original form of payment.
• Cancellations made 20 days to three (3) day before departure on vacation packages, or before the first hotel’s check-in on land-only bookings for destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, and 20 days to seven (7) days before departure for destinations in Canada and the United States, will result in 100% refund to WestJet dollars;
• Cancellations made less than three (3) days before departure for destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, or less than seven (7) days before departure for destinations in Canada and the United States will result in a full forfeit.

Car rentals, private transfers, excursions, theme park tickets and other attractions are non-refundable.

In case of cancellation, WestJet dollars issued can only be applied towards a new vacation package after a 15-day waiting period.

Offer is subject to change without notice.

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms : If a hurricane or tropical storm travel advisory is issued for a guest’s origin or destination on their travel dates, a guest may change or cancel their reservation at any time before the first scheduled flight and no change or cancellation fee will be charged. For hurricane or tropical storm date changes, all travel must be completed within one year and the package value must be the same; if the value of the new package increases, the difference in price must be collected from the guest. For hurricane or tropical storm cancellations, the full value of your vacation package is refunded to WestJet dollars. WestJet dollars expire one year from the date of issuance.

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Flexibility and protection for your vacation – Travel Protection Plan for WestJet Vacations 

WESTJET  TRAVEL PROTECTION $89pp/$129pp  Dec10-Jan10

The WestJet Vacations Travel Protection Plan must be purchased at the time of booking by all guests sharing a room in vacation packages and land-only bookings to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean and is non-refundable excluding Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts.

Cancellations will be accepted for any reason prior to departure as follows:

21 days or more before departure 100% refund to the original form of payment.

20 days to 3 days before departure 100% refund in WestJet dollars

Nonrefundable if cancelled less than 3 days before departure.

In the event of a cancellation, WestJet dollars issued can only be applied towards a new vacation package after a 15-day waiting period.$100 cancellation fee applicable

One-time Name Change: Name changes can be made up until 7 days prior to departure. More than one name change can be completed within the same phone call for no extra fee.$50 administration fee applicable

One-time Change: Changes to departure dates, destinations, room categories or occupancy can be made up until 3 days before departure, subject to hotel and flight availability; changes to the hotel are not permitted. If the change(s) results in an increase to the vacation package or land-only booking price, the difference in price must be collected from the guest; no refund is issued if the new price is lower than the original price, and for clarity, the balance is forfeited by the guest. More than one change can be completed within the same phone call for no extra change fee.$100 administration fee applicable

Offer is subject to change without notice.

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms: If a hurricane or tropical storm travel advisory is issued for a guest’s origin or destination on their travel dates, a guest may change or cancel their reservation at any time before the first scheduled flight and no change or cancellation fee will be charged. For hurricane or tropical storm date changes, all travel must be completed within one year and the package value must be the same; if the value of the new package increases, the difference in price must be collected from the guest. For hurricane or tropical storm cancellations, the full value of your vacation package is refunded to WestJet dollars. WestJet dollars expire one year from the date of issuance.

For full details go to travel protection at https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/legal/travel-terms-conditions/westjet-vacations

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Important Notice: Effective March 11, 2020, we have determined coronavirus to be a known event for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption. As a result, for policies purchased on or after March 11, 2020, any Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption claims related to coronavirus will not be payable. For more information, please click here .

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New agent promos, tools and updates: 9 need-to-knows from WestJet & WestJet Vacations’ Travel Trade Expo

Post date: Sep 13 2022

Date: Sep 13 2022

By: Cindy Sosroutomo

MISSISSAUGA — WestJet and WestJet Vacations hammered home one key message at yesterday’s Travel Trade Expo in Toronto – that they love and value travel agents.

Back in person for the first time since 2019, the companies’ hugely popular, multi-city Travel Trade Expos kicked off yesterday, Sept. 12, at The International Centre in Toronto with over 350 travel agents, all of whom received high praise from members of the executive teams and learned about new agent-friendly promotions and resources. Another 275 agents are expected at the Calgary show on Sept. 14, and 300 more in Vancouver on Sept. 15.

Though the venue may change from city to city, the gratitude shown towards agents will remain the same, says Chuck Crowder, Vice-President, Sales & Distribution, WestJet Vacations and Contact Centres.

“We never would have been able to get through this summer without travel agents,” he told Travelweek. “I do realize the stress that travel put on them because, obviously, we’re trying to build back our business and it was just change after change after change. But we’re in a place now where we’ve learned so much and we know how to really schedule appropriately.”

WestJet Vacations’ Director Dave Cecco also reiterated Crowder’s sentiments, telling Travelweek that despite the “nonstop changes and adjustments” to flight schedules, operations and product lineups, travel agents remain unwavering in their support.

“Thank you for still being here and for still supporting us. We all had to work together to overcome this because it was so new for all of us. When you think about what everyone had to do to get through Covid, it’s quite emotional. So we’re just really grateful to agents for being there with us – and for us – as our strong partners,” says Cecco.

To read more of our interview with Crowder, including key touchpoints like airport delays, ArriveCAN and the new Airline Passenger Protection Regulations, scroll down.

Yesterday’s Expo, which included presentations from WestJet, WestJet Vacations and key sponsors as well as a trade show featuring 67 suppliers, highlighted several agent innovations and promotions that garnered major applause from the audience. Here are nine key takeaways from WestJet and WestJet Vacations:

• New Live Chat function : To help alleviate long call centre hold times, WestJet Vacations launched Live Chat on Sept. 12, allowing agents to live chat with a company agent who can assist them with several tasks and functions. These include applying WestJet Dollars; adding, removing or editing WestJet Rewards; adding, removing or editing a phone number or email; requesting e-docs or invoices; making same-day schedule changes for an alternative flight, based on availability in the same cabin class; and making requests for reservations, special services and hotel preferences like bed configuration, location, adjoining rooms and accessibility requirements. Agents should note that Live Chat does not handle any payments and additional collection refunds due to privacy compliancy.
• Bonus commission . As a token of gratitude for travel agents, WestJet Vacations is offering a bonus 2% commission on all bookings made between Sept. 12-30, 2022, for travel from Sept. 12, 2022 to Aug. 8, 2023. The offer is valid for all destinations and is eligible for all trade bookings. Bonus commissions will automatically be confirmed on agents’ invoices at the time of booking.
• Travel agent air discount . WestJet announced a special Expo Air Offer for travel agents that includes 30% off Basic and Econo fares, to any region, if booked by Sept. 18, 2022, for travel by May 31, 2023. There are no blackout dates apply. WestJet also has an Everyday Offer featuring discounted rates on Business, Premium and Econo fares for travel agents and one companion.
• The return of Amsterdam . WestJet has just received airport slots to return to Amsterdam, where it previously offered seasonal service, on a year-round basis. Plus, with partner KLM, WestJet passengers will be able to travel beyond Amsterdam via easy connections. More information is expected within the next week.
• New pamphlet : Hot off the press is WestJet Vacations’ new mini 24-page pamphlet. Rackable and client facing with space in the back for agents’ contact details, the pamphlet doubles as a quick reference guide featuring the tour operator’s winter schedule, flights at a glance, hotel collections including adults-only, and a QR code that takes clients directly to the company’s travel protection plan.
• COVID WestJet dollars and commissions extended : Originally set to expire at the end of September 2022, COVID WestJet dollars have been extended until Dec. 31, 2022. In addition, WestJet Vacations is paying commissions on the full value of the rebooked package booked until Dec. 31, 2022 where COVID WestJet dollars are being redeemed.
• Swoop flights : As previously reported , WestJet Vacations is now offering Swoop flights as part of vacation packages, available to book exclusively through travel agents. According to Shannon Cunningham, Manager at WestJet Vacations, these Swoop flights include Jamaica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Las Vegas. Plus, new this winter are Toronto-Varadero flights with Swoop as part of a WestJet Vacations package, “which offers really great, attractive pricing,” said Cunningham. Swoop flights combined with a WestJet Vacations package include one carry on and are commissionable to travel agents at the same rate.
• Destination lounges & private transfers : In addition to Club MoBay in Montego Bay, WestJet Vacations has added other destination lounges in Antigua, Barbados and Punta Cana, and is currently working on adding more in Mexico. They are all commissionable and available for agents to book. Agents can also book private transfers to the majority of WestJet Vacations’ destinations, or even book a shared direct transfer. Premium in-destination lounges as well as private and shared transfers are all self-bookable via SIREV/REVNET.
• Instant savings : Clients can save up to $400 on select seven-night packages to sun destinations in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean and Hawaii, if booking between Sept. 12-30, 2022, for travel between Sept. 12, 2022 to April 30, 2023.

SHIFTING FOCUS: WESTJET’S ROUTE NETWORK

Speaking to travel agents directly, Crowder said that in an effort to remain its competitive advantage, WestJet will be shifting its footprint out of eastern Canada to focus more on its hubs out west.

“This doesn’t mean we’re abandoning the east – we’re actually going to grow the east, especially in the leisure market where it makes sense,” he said. “But we’re going to shift more of our flying and really build out what that complex looks like west of Winnipeg.”

This, he added, involves moving all of WestJet’s 787s to focus in the West as a way to control costs.

“We have a fleet of seven but when you spread those across Canada, we also have to have crew bases, maintenance, spare parts – that adds complexity and cost that we don’t want to do,” said Crowder.

WestJet’s approach will also see the airline shift its Q400 flying from the east to concentrate in the west, and even reduce the number of Q400s that it currently flies because “based on the way we’re building out the complex, we will need larger aircraft to fill that up and we know we can drive that demand,” he added.

THE RETURN OF LEISURE & SUN

What’s really been spearheading WestJet’s recovery is the leisure market, which according to Crowder has been the segment that has bounced back the fastest and strongest in the last year, even surpassing 2019 levels in many cases. In comparison, Corporate, though showing signs of recovery, is not rebounding as quickly as WestJet expected. It will most likely take another two years for Corporate to fully recover, said Crowder.

To meet increasing demand for leisure travel, WestJet will be building out its network not only in the east but also in the west, with new destinations, new service and more point-to-point flying.

“What you will see is, flights like inter-province will go away, but what we will be doing is adding more east-west flying,” said Crowder. “So think Ottawa to Calgary, to Vancouver, or out of Montreal versus the triangle between Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.”

Last month, WestJet unveiled its winter sun program for 2022-23, which includes the return of 17 sun and leisure routes that it did not serve last winter.

“We have 45% more ASMs (Available Seat Miles) to leisure and sun destinations, which are booking quickly,” he added. “We always say book early because capacity in hotels are filling up.”

Crowder also told advisors to expect an increase in trans-border flying, which ties in with WestJet’s alliance with Delta , first announced back in October 2020.

“We’re adding more codeshare service and more connectivity to their hubs and beyond, and we’re constantly adding more loyalty benefits, reciprocity and earning opportunities within WestJet rewards on Delta flights,” said Crowder.

WESTJET & SUNWING

It’s been six months since news broke that WestJet will be acquiring Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines , a deal that Crowder said will give travel agents more exciting opportunities to sell. Still under review by Transport Canada and yet to be approved by the federal government, WestJet has completed all regulatory filings and is expecting an answer from the feds by end of October, said Crowder.

“We do believe that this will get approved without any issues and then the hard work starts with integrating everything,” he added. “Sunwing is so strong in the east and we’re strong in the west. They’re the number one tour operator in Canada but they also have this airline with 18 aircraft that they’re good at operating. But while they’re really good at the land portion side of things, managing the aircraft isn’t their forte. So this merger will really bring about additional benefits, not only opportunities for you to sell, but for Canadians to get where they want to go.”

Crowder told agents that both airlines will operate as two separate brands “for quite a while” under one leadership group. “Until we get through that, there are a lot of things that have to happen to integrate them into the WestJet Group of Companies,” he said.

WestJetters Melissa Peterson (left), Sarah Barton and Cindy Gerhardt

AIRPORT DELAYS, ARRIVECAN & MASKING

When asked by Travelweek whether WestJet is satisfied with the progress being made at Canada’s major airports, particularly Toronto Pearson, in terms of alleviating massive delays, Crowder said that the situation has vastly improved since the summer when delays were at its peak. With labour shortages largely to blame, airports have been bogged down by long lineups and flight disruptions for months now, unable to keep up with record travel demand following the easing of travel measures , including the lowering of Canada’s travel advisory.

“Pearson has done a great job at trying to fix everything, but it’s really been a joint effort,” said Crowder. “Everyone is committed – not only the airport but also CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority), Customs Border Patrol, US Customs Border Patrol and all the airlines – to fixing the issues here. We’ve seen significant improvements week over week.”

Crowder noted that runway construction at Toronto Pearson during the summer months compounded the issue, but the issue has levelled off heading into the all-important winter season, with “all airlines that fly out of Pearson being set up for success.”

As for Canada’s ArriveCAN app, which is mandatory for anyone entering Canada by air, land, rail or marine vessel through at least Sept. 30 , Crowder, like many in the travel industry, believes it should be eliminated if it has outlived its purpose of facilitating COVID-19 contact tracing and monitoring vaccination statuses among air arrivals.

“WestJet’s stance is, if it drives value and does not hold up the process for us, then yes, it serves a purpose. But if it serves no purpose, knowing where we are today in the pandemic, we need to start getting rid of these issues.”

These issues also include mandatory masking at airports and in aircraft, added Crowder, which vary from airport to airport, province to province.

“At Pearson you have to wear a mask. But Calgary just got rid of their mask mandate in the airport, except when going through security or immigration,” he said. “So there are all these competing rule in each province, based on whether it’s federally controlled or provincially controlled. That confuses guests and makes it difficult to maneuver through the travel ecosystem.”

Chuck Crowder

NEW APPR RULES NOW IN EFFECT

With broader rules under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) now in effect, WestJet and all other airlines flying to, from and within Canada will certainly be impacted. As the new rules state, airlines must provide passengers with either a refund or rebooking in the event of a flight cancellation or a lengthy delay, due to a situation outside the airline’s control.

Is this fair to airlines? Certainly that’s up for debate, but Crowder did stress the importance of transparency for all players involved.

“We as an airline have to be very transparent with guests about why there may be a delay or cancellation as part of the rules. But the people who also service us, whether that be the caterers, Nav Canada or security, aren’t held to the same reporting protocol that airlines are,” he said.

When asked why he thinks airlines are held to a different standard, Crowder said they simply have become an easy target.

“Airlines are easy for the government to point to because we’re typically one of the longest parts of the journey and where people spend a lot of time. So I think it’s easy for the government to go down that path, to show that they’re supporting Canadians and consumer rights. But if you’re going to hold us to that standard, you should hold everyone else to the same standard because we can’t control what happens at, say, Nav Canada. If they’re short staffed and we can’t operate the flight, then our guests need to know that,” he added.

Tags: Latest News, Lead Story, WestJet, WestJet Vacations

Cindy is Deputy Editor at Travelweek and has worked for the company since 2007. She has travelled to more than 50 countries and counts Kenya, Morocco, Thailand and Turkey among her favourite destinations.

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WestJet Vacations  2022 / 2023  Protection Plan 

The WestJet Vacations Travel Protection Plan (the “Plan”) must be purchased at the time of booking by all guests sharing a room accommodation and is non-refundable.   Only applicable to vacation packages and land-only bookings to destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. The Plan is not applicable to group bookings, Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts.  This plan is now available for US and Canada. 

WestJet Vacations Protection Plan

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Should anyone, from own experience, suggest that we visited the rural areas around Moscow or St Petersburg?

Forget any boats...you will find 7-9 days is not very much time. As for visiting rural areas, maybe a day trip to a place like Sergiev Posad, or maybe even Vladimir/Suzdal (the latter would LITERALLY take 14 hours)...you can do a query right here in the box above for more info. As for St. Petersburg, you need to post on that site. Keep in mind both cities are quite large, and have extensive suburbs...so, getting to a "rural" area would entail quite a bit of trip...to me, Sergiev Posad would meet this need...

I agree Vladimir/Suzdal is not a great idea, BUT...they DO provide an entirely different view and feel of Russia...Vladimir as a smaller city, and Suzdal as both a World Heritage Site, but also a VERY bucolic place with goats “mowing the grass” and cows grazing within the VERY small town...

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Visa-free travel to Russia

Several countries now have bilateral agreements in place with the Russian Federation to allow visa-free travel to Russia for their citizens. Unfortunately, however, there is no indication that similar agreements will be reached with the EU, the US, or the UK any time soon.

If you are not a citizen of one of the countries below and do not hold a diplomatic passport, the only other way to visit the Russian Federation without a visa is on a cruise ship to St. Petersburg. This exemption allows you to stay in the city for up to 72 hours without a visa on the condition that you are sleeping on the ship and are accompanied at all times by a licensed tour guide. If your cruise calls in St. Petersburg for 48 or 72 hours, there are companies offering shore tours which include a day in Moscow.

The same visa-free regime is applied to passengers on ferries from Helsinki and Tallinn operated by the company St. Peter Line, although in the case of ferry passengers you need to book your own accommodation. Again, it is possible within the 72 hours to visit Moscow as well. You can find out more about visa-free tours to Moscow and St. Petersburg here .

Nationalities which can travel to Russia without visas are divided into four groups with different requirements and different limitations on length of stay for each group. Even if you do not need a visa to enter Russia, you will certainly need a passport valid for at least six months after the date of your proposed exit from Russia, and you may require other official documents. You will also, like all foreign travelers in Russia, still need to register with the Federal Migration Service upon arrival.

Citizens of the countries of the CIS (the Commonwealth of Independent States) are permitted to stay in the Russian Federation for up to 90 days without a visa.

Citizens of these countries are allowed to stay in the Russian Federation without a visa for up to 90 days in each 180-day period, provided they will not be involved in any commercial or work-related activities during their stay.

Citizens of the countries in this group can stay in the Russian Federation for up to 30 days without a visa. They are not entitled to work while in Russia.

Citizens of these Balkan countries can also stay in Russia without a visa for up to 30 days, but must also show tourist documents (tourist confirmation and tourist voucher) or an official invitation to immigration officials.

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Moscow vacation

Moscow is the largest city in Europe. It is different from anything you might have seen in other European capitals. Having very little interaction with the rest of Europe for centuries, Russians developed their own style in architecture and life in general. It is always an exciting place to be; at the same time the city is clean, well-kempt and safe. The most popular time to go for vacation in Moscow is from May to the middle of October; though coming for New Year can also be a special experience. The Russian capital has a lot to offer to a tourist going for vacation Moscow. The main Moscow places to visit – the Kremlin and Red Square - are in the historical center. Besides those there are many others spots for Moscow sightseeing which are spread out all over the city.

What to do in Moscow?

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It could be quite an experience to have a Moscow vacation on some Russian holidays. On these days the city is beautifully decorated. There are Concerts and shows in the main squares and parks of the city.

There are many Russian holidays: we love to party! Choose what you are interested in and plan your vacation Moscow around these dates! We will always show you what to do in Moscow then.

• 1. New Year holidays in Moscow from the 25th of December to the 10th of January are a huge deal in this country! There are hundreds of events and activities: concerts, open-air skating rinks, midnight champagne parties at the parks, folk music festivals, traditional crafts and Russian food, ice sculpture exhibitions and a lot more are out there for Moscow sightseeing. There are fairy lights in shop windows and streets are a blaze of light around the clock.
• 3. Easter is another holiday, which can turn your Moscow sightseeing into unforgettable unique experience. You will see the revived Christian religious life in Russia, crack colorful eggs to see who is going to be the master of their fate in the coming days, listen to Church festive music, ring church bells in high steeples and try traditional Easter dishes, like the legendary Russian kulich and paskha.

4. The first decade of May, despite the clement weather, can be a bit of an inconvenient time for a Moscow vacation. The 1st of May is the International Labour Day dating back to the former Socialist times. On the 9th of May Russians celebrate Victory Day recalling the victims and glorious victory in WWII. What to do in Moscow on these days? One can see the Victory parade and Russian people giving thanks to their veterans. There are concerts and shows and Russian families from all over the country spending their vacation in Moscow . However the Red Square is closed for the parade rehearsals for several days. The Kremlin may be closed for several days as well.

• 5. Throughout all summer and early autumn different festivals and events are being held in Moscow. The most famous of these is the international festival of military orchestras “The Savior Tower”.

Write us, and we will advise you when to come and will recommend an optimal program for you!

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ALPA Negotiations Updates

Status of negotiations – as of Thursday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m. MT

As the WestJet Group prepares for labour action by WestJet and Swoop pilots, the airline has started taking down its network. This action ensures the airline has complete control of its operations and can proactively communicate with guests and crew to minimize people being stranded. The decision to cancel flights comes as the WestJet Group remains confronted with union’s unreasonable wage expectations that if realized would permanently damage its ability to offer low fares and competitive service to Canadians. 

The WestJet Group remains at the bargaining table, firmly committed to achieving a reasonable agreement as soon as possible, to protect the future travel plans of valued guests. Read the full release . 

Status of operations – as of Thursday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m. MT

Network-wide cancellations

Thursday, May 18

98 cancellations 

Wednesday, May 17

6 cancellations 

Guests travelling are advised to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport. Please visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page or Swoop’s information hub for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and more.

Which flights are impacted at this time?

At this time, the majority of the 737 and all 787 aircraft in WestJet’s fleet are impacted by the network takedown. WestJet Encore and Link service will continue through the disruption. WestJet invites all guests to proactively check the status of their flight prior to arriving at the airport. Impacted guests will receive an email notification if their flight is delayed or cancelled and will be provided with alternative options to manage their trip. 

What is preventing The WestJet Group from reaching an agreement?

The WestJet Group is firmly committed to achieving an agreement as soon as possible to avoid disrupting the travel of our guests. We cannot, however, sacrifice the future of the company and put 15,000 jobs at risk by agreeing to a contract that isn’t financially viable for our long-term future. 

How will WestJet accommodate guests who are in a different country unable to return home?

WestJet will adhere to our regulatory obligations and will seek to reaccommodate our guests on an alternate carrier to their final destination. However, should we be unable to do, we will provide a full refund to our guests upon request.

Status of negotiations – as of Tuesday, May 16 at 4:00 p.m. MT

WestJet has issued the following statement regarding the strike notification put forth by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) representing WestJet and Swoop pilots.

In response to this notification, a work stoppage could occur as early as Friday, May 19 at 3 a.m. MST. 

Status of operations – as of Tuesday, May 16 at 4:00 p.m. MT

At this time, there is no impact to WestJet’s operations. In the event of a work a stoppage, should flight delays and/or cancellations occur, WestJet has provided additional flexibility for guests travelling between May 15 – 21, 2023. 

Details of delays and cancellations and associated changes will be sent directly to impacted guests via the email provided at the time of booking and guests are advised to visit https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/guest-updates for more information.  

When is the earliest a work stoppage could occur?

The earliest a work stoppage could occur is Friday, May 19 at 3:00 a.m. MT. 

What advice do you have for guests if their flights get cancelled? 

Issuing notice does not mean a work stoppage will occur. However, in the coming days, the WestJet Group will take all necessary actions to manage the impacts as much as possible, including:

Beginning preparations to operate a temporarily reduced schedule – unfortunately, this will be a significant reduction from WestJet and Swoop’s current networks. 

Proactively managing changes and cancellations, to enable us to communicate with guests in advance of changes.

Providing flexible change and cancel options for those who wish to make alternate arrangements.

Guests are encouraged to visit WestJet’s Guest Updates page for more information regarding flight status, travel changes and more. For Swoop travellers, please visit the Swoop Traveller Info Hub . 

Why would The WestJet Group initiate a lockout?

The decision to initiate a lockout was not made lightly and we recognize the impact this could have on our guests travel plans and on our people. Unfortunately, this decision was the only available option to ensure we can manage flight disruptions in a manner that allows us to proactively communicate changes to our schedule and provide advance notice of travel impacts to our guests. 

We continue to make progress at the bargaining table and remain confident that with a commitment from both parties, we can reach an agreement before labour action is taken and avoid disrupting the travel of our valued guests. 

Is WestJet providing refunds to guests who are impacted by this disruption?

Should flight delays or cancellations occur, impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable. 

For travel between May 15 - 21, 2023, WestJet has provided additional flexibility for guests’ peace of mind. For more information, guests are invited to visit the WestJet Guest Updates page .

Does the potential labour stoppage impact WestJet Encore flights?

The current labour negotiations between The WestJet Group and ALPA, pertains to WestJet and Swoop pilots exclusively. WestJet Encore flights will continue to operate in the event labour action occurs. 

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