WestJet boosts sun capacity by 12%, Western Canada sees major gains

WestJet is ramping up its sun program this winter, increasing capacity to Latin America and the Caribbean by 12 per cent year over year as it rolls out what it calls its most extensive schedule to the regions yet.

The airline says the expanded winter 2026-27 program strengthens its position in the sun market, with WestJet maintaining its status as Canada's largest airline to Mexico, Belize, Honduras and Aruba.

"As demand for sun travel continues to grow, we're proud to offer our most comprehensive Latin America and Caribbean schedule yet," said John Weatherill, WestJet Group's executive vice-president & chief commercial officer, in a press release.

"By increasing capacity and continuing to expand access between Canadians' favourite vacation destinations and the communities they call home, we're making it easier for more guests to travel where they want, when they want."

Western Canada sees capacity gains

Much of WestJet's winter growth will come from Western Canada, where the carrier is increasing frequencies, deploying larger aircraft and introducing new routes.

Saskatoon will see one of the biggest jumps, with Latin America and Caribbean capacity increasing 77 per cent year over year.

WestJet is adding a weekly flight from Saskatoon to both Puerto Vallarta and Cancun, bringing each route from four to five weekly flights during peak travel periods.

Edmonton, meanwhile, will see capacity rise 34 per cent. WestJet plans to operate twice as many weekly flights between Edmonton and Los Cabos, as well as between Edmonton and Montego Bay, compared with last winter.

In Calgary, capacity to Latin America and the Caribbean will increase 18 per cent. The airline is planning twice-daily flights to Los Cabos, increased daily service to Cancun and a new non-stop route to Merida, Mexico.

Winnipeg will see a 26 per cent year-over-year increase, with additional weekly frequencies to Liberia, Costa Rica, as well as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.

The Manitoba capital will also gain new WestJet service to Belize City and Punta Cana.

Regina's sun capacity will grow by 64 per cent year over year, boosted by the launch of the city's first non-stop WestJet flights to Los Cabos.

Calgary-São Paulo takes off

WestJet is also preparing to take its Calgary hub deeper into Latin America this winter with the launch of non-stop service to São Paulo, Brazil.

The new route will mark the only direct service between Western Canada and South America.

At approximately 14 hours, the Calgary-São Paulo flight will connect travellers directly with one of South America's largest cities.

Through WestJet's partnership with LATAM, passengers will also be able to access more than 60 additional destinations across South America on a single booking through direct booking interline travel on WestJet.com.

The new Brazil route joins WestJet's seasonal winter Dreamliner schedule, which will see the widebody aircraft return to select flights from Calgary to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Maui.

WestJet will also continue daily, year-round Dreamliner flights from Calgary to London Heathrow, Paris and Tokyo.

Seasonal summer service to Rome and Seoul will operate on an extended schedule through November before restarting in March 2027.

During the summer, WestJet also deploys its Dreamliners from Calgary to Dublin, Edinburgh and Barcelona.

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