WestJet Launches 8 New Nonstop Boeing 737 MAX 8 Routes To Europe In 2026

Six airways plan Boeing 737 flights between North America and Europe this 12 months. With 1,710 departures (double for each methods), WestJet plans to be the second-largest person, after Icelandair. Air Canada is in a distant third, pushed by having fewer 737 MAX flights in favor of the brand-new A321XLR.

In 2026, WestJet’s transatlantic providing on the 737 MAX has jumped by an enormous 44% year-over-year. This implies it would now present 28% of all 737-operated providers throughout the North Atlantic, up by 4 factors. After all, whether or not this can be a good factor relies upon solely in your perspective and the context wherein it’s mentioned.

These Eight Further Routes Will Start In 2026

Don’t misunderstand. All of the routes proven above and talked about beneath have already been introduced. This text merely examines what is occurring, which—given the diploma of growth—is vital. Cardiff, Copenhagen, Madrid, and Ponta Delgada are brand-new markets in WestJet’s community.

Timed at as much as 7h 55m, flights from Cardiff again to Toronto will turn into WestJet’s new longest narrowbody-operated service. Westbound providers have headwinds, which is why the block time (measured as chocks-off-to-chocks-on) is so lengthy. The earlier record-holder was Barcelona again to Halifax, which is timed at as much as 7h 50m this 12 months.

WestJet Will Now Have Three Routes To Keflavik

Canada’s second-largest operator has flown to Iceland since 2024, at all times from Calgary aboard the MAX 8. In 2026, it’s going to have three routes and a most of 9 weekly departures within the peak summer time. In distinction, Air Canada has two routes, each additionally on the MAX 8, simply with extra flights.

4 airways will function between Canada and Keflavik this 12 months. That is the identical quantity as in 2024 and 2025, when the now-defunct PLAY coexisted with Icelandair and Air Canada. With a complete of 136 departures, WestJet will rank third in 2026, behind Icelandair (833) and Air Canada (191), however nicely forward of Air Transat (27), whose debut from Montreal will happen in June.

Solely One Route Will Function Throughout The Day To Europe

Regardless of serving to to cut back jet lag, daytime flights from North America to Europe are unusual. They largely depend on markets with very robust point-to-point demand, and which cross fewer time zone modifications. They often contain main cities, which is why flights from New York to London account for a lot of the providers.

A scarcity of slots, and thus a scarcity of selection, may additionally be a motive for them. Solely considered one of WestJet’s Europe-bound routes can be timed prefer it this 12 months. It’s Halifax to Lisbon, with the Portuguese capital being famend for a scarcity of slots. They’re accessible, however airways have to be very versatile, particularly if they need an affordable frequency.

Relying on the particular flight, WestJet will land in Portugal at 9:45 pm, 9:55 pm, or 10:35 pm. When the route was first scheduled, the arrival time was 11:55 pm (!); clearly, they managed to acquire better-timed slots. On the best way again to Halifax, flights will depart at 6:00 am, 6:10 am, or 6:15 am. Ouch! WestJet’s occasions could be higher for Portuguese vacationers than for Canadians on trip.