Operational investments and process improvements aim to boost on-time departures and a smoother travel experienceGetting passengers to their destination on time is one of the most important parts of the travel journey, and a key focus for WestJet as they continue to strengthen operational reliability across our network. Over the past year, their teams have been working behind the scenes to simplify airport and boarding processes, give frontline employees more time to prepare flights for departure and reduce common causes of delay. Several of these improvements are now being introduced across the operation, all designed to support more consistent, on-time departures and a smoother airport experience for passengers. Effective April 28, domestic check-in will close one hour before departure. This change will help ensure bags travel on the same aircraft as their owners and reduces last-minute congestion in the departure area. Note: International check-in cut off remains the same as current day, this change only impacts domestic departures within Canada. WestJet is also providing airport and cabin crews with additional time to prepare flights for departure. Beginning this spring, boarding and gate-closure timelines on more aircraft will move slightly earlier, aligning with common industry practice. This added time helps ensure carry-on bags are properly accommodated, extra requests are processed and all passengers have time to settle comfortably before departure to reduce last-minute delays at the gate. Another recent change makes correcting a guest’s name at the airport faster and easier. If a minor name update is required at check-in, airport agents can now securely update travel document details directly, eliminating the need for ticket reissuance and reducing wait times at the counter. Looking ahead to summer 2026, WestJet will be increasing the scheduled time aircraft spend on the ground between flights. While largely invisible to passengers, this change gives airport, baggage and cabin crew teams more time to safely prepare each flight, improving baggage handling accuracy, strengthening connections and helping prevent delays from affecting later flights throughout the day. As these updates roll out, passengers will receive clear guidance on recommended airport arrival and boarding timing. Together, these changes provide the WestJet teams with the time and tools they need to deliver what matters most to passengers: a predictable, on-time departure and a calmer start to every journey. |