Westjet was created as the low-cost Canadian alternative to Air Canada. Following the model created by Southwest in the US, it built a fleet based on a unique aircraft type (the B737). Initially a domestic-only operator, it began international expansion in 2010 with flights to the continental US, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, culminating in 2015-2016 with the launch of transatlantic services, and introducing its first widebody aircraft (the B767-300). In 2018-2019, coinciding with the arrival of the B787-9 on long-haul flights, Westjet started the transition from a low-cost to a predominantly full-service carrier (Photo Wikimedia Commons / Anna Zvereva)
- - 5 STARS: Awarded to airlines achieving a very high, overall quality performance. It recognizes high standards of onboard product together with consistent and excellent standards of staff service across airport and cabin environments
- - 4 STARS: Awarded to airlines that deliver a good overall quality performance and provide good product standards across different travel cabins
- - 3 STARS: Awarded to airlines delivering a fair quality performance equating to the industry 'average' of acceptable product and service standards
- - 2 STARS: Shows airlines delivering a lower total quality performance, in some instances below the industry average across many rating categories
- - 1 STAR: Represents a poor quality of product delivered across the assessment sectors
* SKYTRAX (www.skytraxratings.com) is the most prestigious independent rating agency in commercial aviation. Its five stars rating system regarding airline quality has become a status symbol for carriers around the world. Here is what the stars stand for: