WestJet to operate wide-body aircrafts on Alberta-Hawaii route

WestJet Airlines said that it is planning to launch four wide-body aircrafts for flights between Hawaii and Alberta in late 2015. The airline recently introduced its first trans-Atlantic flights to Ireland during this summer schedule. The flights are being operated with the help of its existing narrow-body aircrafts.

WestJet Airlines was so far being considered as a leading low-cost carrier in Canada. However, with the introduction of wide-body aircrafts to its fleet it is evident that the airline is trying to shed its image as LCC and aiming to expand its global network with new aircrafts.

With the new wide-body aircrafts additions to its fleet, WestJet Airlines will now closely compete with Canada’s national carrier Air Canada. The move of the airline has come at a time when Air Canada is doing appreciably with its flights running full than previously.

The new plans of WestJet Airlines indicate that the airline now wants to move beyond and fly new models of aircrafts. The airline’s current fleet mostly comprises of Boeing 737 aircrafts which limits its capacity and range. The airline is operating Boeing 737 aircrafts on its only transatlantic route between Dublin and St. John’s.

WestJet Airlines said that new wide-body aircrafts will initially be operated between Hawaii and Alberta. After operating for sometime on Alberta-Hawaii route, the airline will deploy its new wide-body aircrafts on other international routes as well. The airline disclosed that the new aircrafts would be deployed to European and other destinations during spring and summer schedule of 2016.