Canada's WestJet has joined the widebody club.
The Calgary-based low-cost carrier announces that the first of four Boeing 767-300ERs arrived at the company’s Calgary base the morning of 27 August.
WestJet did not immediately provide photographs of the aircraft, but released a video composed of computer-rendered images of a 767 in WestJet colors, and the aircraft’s interior.
"The arrival of our first wide-body aircraft opens the next chapter in the evolution and growth of Canada's low-fare leader," says WestJet’s executive vice president of commercial Bob Cummings in a media release.
He notes that the carrier began as a 737 operator, then expanded into smaller communities with the launch of subsidiary WestJet Encore, and is now setting its sights on long-haul transoceanic flights.
WestJet is leasing the four 767s from Boeing through a deal that includes an option for WestJet to purchase the aircraft, the company has said.
The carrier expects to receive two more 767s this fall and to take delivery of the fourth aircraft in spring 2016. The aircraft will have 262 seats, including 24 seats in a premium cabin, WestJet says.
In addition to marking the next phase of the carrier’s long-haul expansion, the 767 is the first in WestJet’s fleet to carry the company’s new logo, which consists of a version of its previous logo overlaid on a maple leaf.
The new logo appears on the 767’s fuselage, while the logo on the aircraft’s tail appears largely unchanged from the existing logo.
All of WestJet’s aircraft will eventually carry the new maple leaf logo, the company says.
Revenue 767 flights will begin in September, with the aircraft flying between Toronto and Calgary, WestJet says.
Then in December the carrier will deploy them between cities in Alberta and Hawaii, and between Toronto and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
WestJet then intends to begin service to London’s Gatwick airport in May 2016.
WestJet it will announce more details about planned 767 routes in mid-September, the company says.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
