WestJet & Sunwing host first trade event together; baggage, service changes coming May 29

The orange and teal napkins said it all.

For the first time in history, WestJet alongside WestJet Vacations and Sunwing Vacations – former competitors that are now in the final stages of merging together as one – co-sponsored a large-scale event for Canada’s travel trade community on Monday (April 7) at The Travel Agent Next Door’s (TTAND’s) 2025 “Leading The Way” conference in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

The lively, Mexican-themed fiesta, which unfolded at the Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo, under a pavilion lined with colourful “papel picado” decorations, was hosted by two teams of familiar faces, from both companies – notably Sunwing’s Deana Murphy, Lorraine Brisbois, Graeme Franklin, WestJet Vacations’ Shannon Cunningham, Shane Dineen and Sevi Anagnostis, along with WestJet Airlines’ Bharath Nuthanakaluva.

The high-energy evening, which welcomed nearly 360 travel advisors and suppliers from all corners of the biz, was a feast for the senses as a giant, stilt-walking praying mantis (a symbol of spiritualism and piety in Mexican cultural) bopped along to party beats while a cast of other colourful characters weaved around tables.

READ MORE: On Location: TTAND announces luxury venture, new logo & tag line; adds Crystal, A&K

At one point, attendees put down their salty margaritas and pork-filled tacos and joined a snaking conga line.

The moment also marked the first time Sunwing has ever attended TTAND’s annual conference (the host agency signed the Canadian tour operator as an approved supplier just last year).

“We’re really happy to welcome our joint partnership with Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations,” said TTAND’s Founder Flemming Friisdahl in his welcome remarks. “It’s a great product that we’ll be able to offer across Canada.”

"The Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations’ sales and business development teams have been working very collaboratively for almost two years now and it was great to be co-hosting the Mexican Fiesta evening at the TTAND 2025 Conference," said Deana Murphy, vice-president, sales and business development at Sunwing Travel Group. "It was our goal to create a fun and entertaining evening for TTAND advisors. We delivered with colourful entertainment, fabulous music, dancing and even a conga line!"

What did the event say about WestJet and Sunwing's progress in marrying their systems? "We're getting there," Murphy said. 

Airline integration May 29

The WestJet Group completed its acquisition of Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations in 2023. By doing so, the group is aiming to increase its footprint in the Canadian leisure market.

The deal has led to the formation of the Sunwing Vacations Group, a vacation division of the WestJet Group.

The group encompasses Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations, U.S. tour operator Vacation Express, travel retail businesses SellOffVacations.com and Luxe Destination Weddings. WestJet Vacations Quebec also launched last year.

On the airline side (and as previously reported), WestJet is consolidating Sunwing Airlines’ 737 aircraft with that of its mainline.

As of May 29, 2025, all customers who booked a package with Sunwing Vacations or WestJet Vacations will travel on aircraft operated by WestJet Airlines.

The last flight operated by Sunwing Airlines will take place on Wednesday, May 28. 

READ MORE: WestJet integration of Sunwing Airlines one step closer as crew begin training

As well, 43 aircraft (including all former Swoop, Sunwing and Lynx aircraft) are scheduled for a full cabin reconfiguration before the end of 2025 to align with WestJet’s standard cabin layout.

Murphy emphasized a one-team message, noting how there are still distinct differences between Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations, despite belonging to the same company. 

WestJet Vacations, for one, sells options that fall outside of the typical seven-day all-inclusive holiday, including holidays in destinations beyond Mexico and the Caribbean (Sunwing’s territory), such as Las Vegas and other international cities.

"Fortunately, Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations use the same booking systems so eventually advisors will have very convenient single sign on access for both brands," Murphy told PAX.

As the two brands marry their systems, Sunwing Vacations will remain. So will its connection to hoteliers, such as RIU and Blue Diamond Resorts.

Clients will now fly on the same WestJet aircraft and be welcomed by Nexus in destinations.

Other changes coming May 29

But one change, related to the integration, is how a Sunwing Airlines booking is made with WestJet's PNR.

WestJet’s PNR code will now be required at check-in and passengers will have three opportunities to obtain this code:

• Five days before departure, it will be accessible in the My Booking portal for Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations.
• Seventy-two hours before departure, WestJet will send a "Get Ready to Travel" email containing the PNR code to the passenger or their travel advisor.
• Finally, a check-in reminder, again including the code, will be sent 24 hours before departure.

The change stems from the fact that flights will now be operated by a scheduled airline—present in the GDS—rather than charter.

"This code is only required at check-in, not during steps like seat selection or adding baggage," says Lyne Chayer, vice president, Quebec, at Sunwing, speaking to PAX Nouvelles in Montreal earlier this week.

Chayer pointed out that passengers who don't know their PNR code will have to check in at the WestJet Airlines counter as the Sunwing Airlines counters will be discontinued.

Baggage allowance

Baggage allowance is also changing. Starting May 29, the rules around baggage and seat selection will be aligned with those of WestJet.

"We're reversing the current offer," Chayer said.

Currently, the purchase of a Sunwing package includes one free checked bag (up to 23 kg), while carry-on baggage is chargeable.

After the integration, it will be the other way around: one personal item and one carry-on bag will be included free of charge, while checked baggage will become chargeable.

Fees will also vary depending on when baggage is added to the booking:

• $35 + tax if the baggage is checked well in advance,
• $45 if it is added 24 hours before departure,
• $55 if it is checked at the WestJet counter at the airport.

To encourage advanced bookings, Sunwing Vacations Group is offering a free checked baggage if the booking is made before the first of the month for a departure scheduled in two months or more.

This promotion is in effect at least until early 2026, said Chayer.

For groups, there's no change: checked baggage remains included, since group bookings are always made at least 60 days before departure.

Service changes

Starting May 29, the service on board flights operated by WestJet Airlines will differ in some respects from that of Sunwing Airlines.

Passengers will be entitled to complimentary non-alcoholic beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc.) and snacks (such as pretzels or cookies). Additional food and beverage options will remain available for purchase à la carte.

However, the duty-free shop and onboard excursion sales will no longer be offered on WestJet flights.

As for aircraft layout, Chayer said that even though WestJet's aircraft are configured like Sunwing's, the Elite Plus seating option will no longer be available as of May 29.

Passengers will only be able to choose between standard seats and seats located near the emergency exits until WestJet’s redesign is complete.

Also, any air travel-related issues—flight delays or cancellations, lost or damaged baggage, etc.—will be handled by WestJet. 

Sunwing Vacations Group’s customer service department, meanwhile, will continue to handle travel-related requests around accommodations, rooms and meals.

There will, therefore, be two separate customer service departments, depending on the nature of the problem, said Chayer.

Sunwing-branded aircraft will still fly...for now

Since Sunwing Vacations' summer season runs from May 1 to October 31, some customers will be flying on a Sunwing Airlines Boeing 737 on the outbound leg and a WestJet Airlines Boeing 737 on the return leg, if their vacation falls on May 29.

Chayer also said that Sunwing-branded aircraft will be seen until the end of the year, while the cabin repainting and interior refurbishment of the entire fleet are completed.

However, these orange aircraft will indeed be operated under the WestJet Airlines license, with WestJet personnel wearing WestJetter uniforms.

The integration of Sunwing Airlines into WestJet Airlines is accompanied, in the opposite direction, by the integration of tour operator WestJet Vacations into the Sunwing Vacations Group.

Chayer said one of WestJet's goals in acquiring Sunwing was to leverage its expertise as a tour operator and the strength of its hotel partnerships.

To see more pictures from WestJet and Sunwing's event in Mexico, visit and "like" PAX's Facebook page here.

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