WestJet (WS, Calgary) took delivery of its first of ten B787-9s due from Boeing (BOE, Washington National) on January 17. C-GUDH (msn 64974) was ferried directly from Everett to Calgary and will be joined by another two aircraft of the type later this quarter.
According to schedule data, WestJet plans to begin revenue B787 operations on February 20 with crew training flights between Calgary and Toronto Pearson. Thereafter, the Dreamliners will be deployed on longhaul flights from Calgary to each of London Gatwick (effective April 28), Paris CDG (effective May 17), and Dublin International (effective June 1).
According to its 3Q18 financials, WestJet expected to add three B787-9s in 2019, three in 2020, and four in 2021. Featuring 320 seats in a three-class layout, the jets will serve to eventually replace the carrier's existing widebody fleet of four B767-300(ER)s and allow it to open up new long haul destinations in Asia and Latin America.
