WestJet makes first scheduled transatlantic flight

WestJet marks a key milestone in its 18-year history tonight with the launch of its first scheduled transatlantic service between Toronto and Dublin, Ireland, with a brief stop in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The flight arrives in Dublin tomorrow at 7 a.m. local time.

“It’s very exciting to think that we are about to take our guests across the Atlantic Ocean for the very first time tonight,” said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO.

“This represents a very significant strategic step in the growth of WestJet. As we’ve expanded our reach, grown our fleet and added new products to broaden our appeal to different travel segments, it’s always been a dream of many WestJetters to one day be able to fly our guests to Europe. Today, the dream comes true.”

Announced in November 2013, WestJet offered introductory fares between Toronto and Dublin starting from $199 including taxes, fees and surcharges on all flights in both directions from June 15 to October 5, 2014 – fares which sold out within the first 24 hours. Today, the service is heavily booked and well ahead of projections, recently prompting a three-week extension to October 25, 2014.

“The response on both sides of the Atlantic has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Gregg Saretsky. “With one in five Newfoundlanders able to trace their ancestry to Ireland, there is a great deal of travel between the two coasts and we are very pleased to have made it more affordable for so many families and friends to be together this summer. This service is about bringing our low fares and remarkable, people-driven guest experience to new routes and new markets including, for the first time, Europe.”

Gregg Saretsky also paid tribute to the hard work and dedication responsible for this milestone. “This is also a very proud moment for all of us,” he said. 

“Over the past 18 years our WestJetters have worked tirelessly to care for our guests, for one another and for our company, and that’s what makes this day so special. Our people have powered this airline across North America , Mexico , the Caribbean and Central America . Today, they’ll bring us all the way to Europe.”

Alison Metcalfe , Executive Vice President, United States and Canada Tourism Ireland, said, “Tourism Ireland warmly welcomes the launch of WestJet’s service from Toronto, via St John’s, Newfoundland, to Dublin. The island of Ireland has a wealth of experiences for Canadians to enjoy on a relaxing vacation – from cities bustling with vibrant culture and rich history to spectacularly scenic coastlines and mountain regions. Canada is one of our top 10 markets and is a market that is set to develop further in the years ahead. We are working with WestJet to maximize the promotion of this welcome new service.” 

“We are delighted with the overwhelming success of this new service to Dublin that clearly demonstrates the significant demand that exists for travel between our province and Ireland ,” said Keith Collins , President and CEO, St. John’s International Airport Authority. “This improved accessibility between the two regions will strengthen both personal and business relations, and will expose new opportunities for trade on both sides of the Atlantic.”

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Air Canada adds service to Rio de Janeiro

Air Canada is launching a new, non-stop service between Toronto and Rio de Janeiro beginning December 11, 2014. The year-round flights to Brazil’s “Marvelous City” will complement Air Canada’s existing daily non-stop service to Sao Paulo.

“Air Canada is very pleased to become the only carrier offering non-stop flights between Canada and the storied Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. Celebrated for such landmarks as Sugarloaf Mountain and the beaches at Ipanema and Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro is also a vibrant cultural and business centre that is home to major global corporations and host to international events such as the annual Carnival and the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The service will complement our Toronto-Sao Paulo route, meaning Air Canada will now offer two destinations in Brazil, one of the largest and most vibrant economies in the world, and strengthens our position as the only carrier flying non-stop between Canada and South America,” said Benjamin Smith, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada.

“This new service is timed for convenient connections to our network at our Toronto Pearson hub, including to Tokyo-Haneda, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, and further expands Air Canada’s global reach from Toronto. All flights will offer our International Business Class with lie flat seats, complimentary seatback entertainment throughout the aircraft, and in Toronto access to our International Maple Leaf Lounge and concierge services for eligible customers.”

Flights will be available for sale starting May 7, 2014 and commence operating, three days a week, beginning December 11, 2014. The service will be provided with a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with 24 International Business Class and 187 Economy seats. The flights will also be timed to offer convenient onward connections from Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport on Air Canada’s interline partners.

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