Canadian low-cost carrier, WestJet Airlines, has confirmed the initial three routes its new widebodied Boeing 767 fleet will serve from this coming winter. The airline is in the process of introducing four second-hand 767-300ERWs into its fleet and will debut the first of these in passenger operation from December 2015.
According to its update flight schedules for winter 2015/2016, WestJet will initially use the widebodied jets on a twice weekly service between Calgary and Honolulu and four times weekly link between Calgary and Kahului from December 11, 2015. The following day, a three times weekly link between Edmonton and Kahului will also be inaugurated.
"Offering non-stop, widebody service between Alberta and Hawaii represents an important next step in our international strategy," said Chris Avery, vice president, network planning, alliances and corporate development.
The airline's previous winter service between Alberta and Hawaii, has been operated using two Boeing 757-200s operated by Thomas Cook, but this arrangement ends this spring. WestJet is now formalising its in-flight offering as it takes operational ownership of the routes with its own equipment.
“Additional on-board products and services such as hot meals and unique in-flight entertainment options will continue to evolve as we get closer to launch, with an eye to providing excellent value and a fun, friendly, people-driven guest experience,” said Avery.
WestJet will configure its 767 fleet in a two-class arrangement, including a 24 seat Plus cabin, offering wider seats with more recline in a 2-2-2 configuration. There will be a further 238 seats in the main cabin, and all seats having access to power sources for personal electronic devices such as tablets or phones.
The arrival of its own widebody fleet will introduce new network options for the summer as the aircraft are redeployed into new markets, most likely across the Atlantic. The introduction of further long-haul flights to Europe follow the success of the transatlantic link it launched between St John’s in Newfoundland and Dublin last year and new summer 2015 service between Halifax in Nova Scotia and Glasgow.
"These aircraft will be redeployed in summer 2016 to new and exciting international destinations that will be announced later this year," confirmed Avery.
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