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WestJet acquired Canadian low-cost carrier Sunwing Airlines in May 2023. It has been a WestJet subsidiary, but today it was fully integrated into WestJet and under a single Air Operators Certificate (AOC). In addition to the 18 Sunwing aircraft, WestJet has also merged 16 former Swoop aircraft and nine former Lynx Air aircraft after that airline folded.
Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer of the WestJet Group, said:
Completing two airline consolidations in just two years—the first with Swoop in 2024 and now Sunwing—was complex and required coordination across every aspect of our business, from operational, labour, and regulatory areas to experiential and cultural elements. Achieving this milestone is proof of the incredible way our unified team works together and is a clear win for WestJet and our guests; it’s also a story of transformation in Canadian aviation. A huge thanks to everyone who contributed!
The final Sunwing-operated flight this week is a time to reflect. I know every Sunwing employee, past and present feels their contributions have mattered to advancing the experience of air travel. To all WestJetters and former Sunwing team members: thank you. This milestone is your achievement, and a proud moment for us all.”
WestJet’s unified narrowbody operation is currently reconfiguring aircraft to the WestJet standard interior. This will be completed this year. Passengers will soon see a choice of Premium, Economy, Extended Comfort, and UltraBasic seating available on all 150 Boeing 737 aircraft.
Sunwing was founded in 2005 and will live on through its Sunwing Vacations brand, which continues to exist as Canada’s most popular vacations provider. The final integration of Sunwing is not the only change that WestJet has recently seen. A few weeks ago, I wrote about how Delta Air Lines and Korean Air had purchased a 25% stake in the carrier from Onex Partners.
Anthony’s Take: I’m flying WestJet this week. Canada has seen a lot of consolidation in the past few years with Swoop, Lynx Air, and Sunwing all going away. WestJet needs to grow if it’s to compete with Air Canada and this is a good way to do so.
(Image Credits: WestJet.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
