WestJet continues its transatlantic growth, with plan to launch transatlantic services to Paris and London from Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada).
The airline will utilise a Boeing 737 on the route – namely their new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with the aircraft serving London Gatwick and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
WestJet Boeing 737 MAX 8 taking off – image, Westjet via Youtube
Start-up dates for the services have been set with:
- Halifax to London Gatwick – 29th April, daily service
- Halifax to Paris Charles de Gaulle – 31st May 2018, daily service
These both run for the summer season until 27th October 2018
The timetables have published too:
Halifax – London Gatwick
DEPART YHZ 22:35 ARRIVE LGW 08:21+1 DEPART LGW 09:50 ARRIVE YHZ 13:00 Commences 29th April 2018 Booked Equipment: Boeing 737 MAX 8
Halifax – Paris CDG
DEPART YHZ 22:55 ARRIVE CDG 10:00+1 DEPART CDG 11:20 ARRIVE YHZ 13:35 Commences 31st May 2018 Booked Equipment: Boeing 737 MAX 8 Data: WestJet
Westjet have configured their 737 MAX’s with 12 premium seats and 163 economy seats.
On the route launch, Ed Sims, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial of WestJet states
“As the carrier with the most transatlantic flights from Halifax, we are thrilled to announce our first foray onto the European mainland,”
“Venturing to London and now Paris is an indication of our ambitious growth plans as we move towards becoming a global network carrier. This is an investment that will help launch new flights in the future and further expand our presence in YHZ – a key driver in economic and employment growth.”
WestJet are advertising lead-in prices of C$199 each way, based on the following conditions
Book by February 5, 2018 (11:59 p.m. MT) for travel on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays between May 31 and October 27, 2018. Blackout dates apply.
WestJet will being going up against Air Canada – who operate a flight to London Heathrow. The Paris route is contested by ASL airlines on a seasonal basis.
It’s an interesting move for WestJet who have been expanding their International network. As the airline moves towards the larger plane operations (with 767s and the upcoming 787-9 Dreamliner).
Again, the choice of equipment is key, with the introduction of the Boeing 737 MAX on ultra-long haul legs (for the type), and the efficiencies of using narrow-body equipment on these routes.
For those who want to visit Nova Scotia, or want to travel to European cities from Halifax, these offer new possibilities when wishing to travel point-to-point.
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