CALGARY, June 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Today WestJet inaugurated its new regional airline service, WestJet Link, from Cranbrook and Prince George to Calgary. Service starts from Lethbridge and Lloydminster to Calgary on June 21 and Medicine Hat to Calgary on June 22. Overall, WestJet Link connects five new cities to WestJet's growing hub at the YYC Calgary International Airport.

"This is a great day for the communities who now benefit from WestJet's non-stop service and convenient connectivity to the WestJet network," said Tim Croyle, WestJet Interim Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "WestJet continues to offer Canadians more travel options and WestJet Link brings more choice, lower fares and WestJet's renowned guest service to these five communities."

These new routes add to WestJet's existing leadership position in Calgary, offering more flights and seats to more destinations than any other airline with an average of 147 daily departures to 49 destinations.

"We'd like to congratulate our partner on their addition of WestJet Link, which will increase connectivity opportunities for their guests out of YYC Calgary International Airport," said Bob Sartor, President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. "These additional routes throughout Western Canada, will provide greater air access to those in our smaller regional communities through WestJet's largest hub."

All WestJet Link flights are operated by Pacific Coastal using its fleet of 34-seat Saab 340B aircraft. Each aircraft includes six seats available in WestJet Plus, offering guests advanced boarding, no-charge for two checked bags and seating at the front of the aircraft.

"Pacific Coastal Airlines is proud to become part of the WestJet family through the launch of WestJet Link," said Quentin Smith, President, Pacific Coastal Airlines. "This is a great partnership between two Western Canadian airlines that share similar corporate values and a customer-focused approach to doing business. Together, we will work to provide better connectivity and offer more transportation options for the people and the communities we serve."

WestJet Link routes and launch dates:

Pacific Coastal Airlines
A privately owned, British Columbia-based regional airline operating from Vancouver International Airport's South Terminal (YVR), Pacific Coastal is the third largest airline at YVR in annual takeoffs and landings. It flies to 15 airports and connects to more than 50 destinations in the province, from as far east as Cranbrook in the Rocky Mountains and as far north as Prince George and Masset on the legendary island of Haida Gwaii.

About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes:
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership

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