WestJet, Sunwing activate flexible rebooking policies for Cuba

The WestJet Group, inclusive of tour operator Sunwing Vacations, has announced a flexible rebooking policy for flights and vacations to Cuba, joining other Canadian companies, such as Air Canada, Air Canada Vacations and Transat, in offering similar options.

On Sunday (Feb. 8), WestJet posted an “power outage” advisory for all flights travelling to and from Havana, Cienfuegos, Cayo Largo del Sur, Cayo Coco, Varadero, Holguín, and Santa Clara.

The advisory period will remain active until February 25, 2026, according to the notice.

For all Cuba flights booked directly through WestJet, including UltraBasic, a $0 one-time fee waiver option is now available.

READ MORE: Cuba tells airlines it will run out of jet fuel; Air Canada halts service, Sunwing to continue operations

Travel must be completed within 60 days of the original departure date and change requests must be made more than two hours before departure. For complete details, click here.

Similarly, Sunwing Vacations, which is owned by the WestJet Group, has also posted a flexible rebooking policy for Cuba, applicable to the same period.

Cuba-bound Sunwing customers can either change their departure date or destination, or may make a one-time change to their departure date or destination at system rates.

“The change fee will be waived; however, if the change involves a higher-priced vacation package, the higher amount will be applicable. If the new package price is lower, a refund will not be issued,” says Sunwing.

Customers may also cancel their booking and receive a full refund issued as a travel voucher.

But travel insurance products (including Worry Free, Worry Free Plus and Manulife Travel Insurance) and administration fees are non-refundable, the tour operator notes.

Customers with group bookings are being advised to contact their Groups Coordinator directly, and customers who booked with a travel advisor should contact their travel advisor to manage any changes or cancellations.

As reported, Air Canada, Air Canada Vacations and Transat have also activated flexible rebooking policies for Cuba flights and vacations, allowing customers to make voluntary changes.

Fuel shortage

The updates come as the Cuban government tells international airlines that they will no longer be able to refuel in the country because of fuel shortages,

As reported, an official operational notice from the international NOTAM system (Notice to Air Missions) has set Cuba's fuel validity period from Tuesday (Feb. 10).

The shortage of kerosene is projected to last for about a month and will impact all international airports across the island, local reports say.

In a statement to PAX on Monday, Air Canada's Vice President of Corporate Communications Christophe Hennebelle confirmed that the airline’s outbound flights to Cuba on Monday (Feb. 9) will not be carrying passengers.  

He said the airline will operate ferry flights only (non-revenue operations where an aircraft is flown from one location to another, without passengers).

“We will operate as scheduled out of Cuba, carrying passengers to Canada,” Hennebelle wrote in an email. “We continue to monitor the situation to ensure safe and reliable operations for our passengers and crew and will share more information as it becomes available.”

Air Canada uses smaller aircraft for Cuba “which cannot carry enough fuel to complete a nonstop round trip,” Hennebelle noted.

However: “Contingency measures have been put in place to allow for a return should the need arise.”

Sunwing, meanwhile, plans to continue operating in Cuba and will cover its fuel issues.

In a statement to PAX early Monday (Feb. 9), Eric Rodriguez, executive vice president at Sunwing Vacations Group, said the company is monitoring the situation in Cuba "as it is very fluid."

"We have a plan to continue operating and cover the fuel issues," Rodriguez wrote in an email Monday morning. "We have given our guests flexibility for changes however they continue to support Cuba."

The Government of Canada updated its travel advice for Cuba last week, cautioning Canadians eyeing a winter getaway that deepening shortages—ranging from fuel to food—could affect resort stays.

PAX has contacted the Cuba Tourist Board's Toronto office for comment. 

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