Canadian airline WestJet unveiled a slew of latest routes on Monday set to start flying this summer time, together with flights throughout the northern border from a trio of latest U.S. cities.
Vacationers primarily based in Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) will see WestJet planes for the primary time with nonstop service over the summer time to each Edmonton (YEG) in Alberta and Saskatoon (YXE) in Saskatchewan. In the meantime, the airline can be including its first routes from its hub in Calgary (YYC) to each Detroit (DTW) and Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD).
These new routes are a part of a broader summer time growth because the low-cost service provides extra flights out and in of different U.S. cities like Seattle (SEA), Austin (AUS), Nashville (BNA), and extra. With brand-new locations like Minneapolis and Detroit and expansions in Seattle and Atlanta (ATL), there is a clear emphasis on Delta hubs. Delta and WestJet are companion airways, that means Canadians can fly right down to Minneapolis and simply join onward all through Delta’s community – or vice versa for Individuals. And, remember: It additionally means vacationers can money in Delta SkyMiles on WestJet flights.
All these flights had been added to WestJet’s schedule over the weekend, in order that they’re obtainable to e-book now.
“We’re thrilled to be increasing our community and giving our friends substantial alternative to discover the U.S., and Canada from coast-to-coast this summer time,” WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech stated in a press release.
WestJet can be ramping up its intra-Canada flying because it challenges Air Canada’s dominance north of the border. However, the service’s emphasis for summer time 2023 is on increasing flights to the U.S. – with a handful of brand-new choices. Let’s have a look.
Model-New Minneapolis to Canada Service
WestJet is making a splash at Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), kicking issues off with not one however two routes this summer time.
- Flights to Edmonton (YEG) start June 2, with 5 flights every week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays till late October
- Flights to Saskatoon (YXE) start June 19, with three flights every week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays till Oct. 25.
It is a brand-new service for Minneapolis-based vacationers. However in some methods, WestJet is choosing up the place Delta left off: Delta nonetheless hasn’t introduced again its nonstop route from Minnesota to Edmonton after ditching it through the pandemic.
“We’re thrilled to welcome WestJet to Minnesota and are happy so as to add two necessary enterprise routes to Edmonton and Saskatoon from MSP,” Brian Ryks, the CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Fee and the Minneapolis airport, stated in a press release. “WestJet’s arrival additionally opens up new connections for vacationers throughout Western Canada and america leveraging their codeshare with Delta Air Traces, MSP’s largest service.”
These new routes to Canada begin as little as $285 roundtrip … however can clock in as excessive as $600-plus through the peak summer time. So that you would possibly flip to your Delta SkyMiles as an alternative: With award charges regular at 25,000 SkyMiles roundtrip, it might be a stable deal when you’re planning a visit to Canada through the center of summer time.
Detroit to Calgary
WestJet can be making its first foray into one more Delta hub: Detroit (DTW).
- Flights from Detroit to Calgary (YYC) start Could 26, ultimately working 5 instances weekly via late October
Each WestJet and Delta executives emphasised their shut partnership as a key consider these new routes. Detroit residents can merely fly into Calgary or join onward to dozens of different Canadian locations. Canadians, in the meantime, can fly WestJet right down to Detroit, then hop on one other Delta flight to get to their last vacation spot.
“With the addition of WestJet, our clients will be capable of fly immediately from Detroit to Calgary for the primary time since 2005. We’re hoping this route will even give our Canadian neighbors another reason to go to our nice area,” Detroit Airport’s CEO Chad Newton stated.
Delta’s solely present nonstop routes to Canada can get vacationers to Toronto (YYZ) or Montreal (YUL).
Whereas snowboarding may be off-limits with this summer time seasonal service, Calgary is a superb gateway to move out to Banff any time of 12 months.
D.C. to Calgary, Too
WestJet can be focusing on a model new path to our nation’s capital.
- Nonstop flights connecting Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD) and Calgary (YYC) begin June 2, flying as much as 3 times weekly till early October
It is WestJet’s first look within the D.C. space. Whereas many D.C. residents would possibly want flying out of the extra centrally-located Washington, D.C.-Reagan (DCA), strict limits on flight lengths departing from that airport make getting all the way in which to Alberta a no-go.
Backside Line
WestJet is making its technique to increasingly more U.S. cities.
The highly-regarded Canadian low-cost service will launch summer time flights to 3 new U.S. airports: Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Detroit (DTW), and Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD). Together with extra routes to its present U.S. outstations, these new summer time choices are already on sale whether or not you are utilizing money or cashing in some Delta SkyMiles.