WestJet’s record Boeing order cements its loyalty to the US planemaker and positions the Canadian carrier for long-term growth and global expansion.
WestJet has doubled down on its Boeing-first strategy with a record-setting fleet order that cements its loyalty to the US planemaker and positions the Canadian carrier for long-term growth.
On Wednesday, 3 September, WestJet and Boeing announced the carrier’s largest-ever aircraft purchase: 60 Boeing 737-10 aircraft with options for 25 more, plus seven 787-9 Dreamliners and four additional options.
The deliveries will roll out through 2034, underlining the airline’s multibillion-dollar expansion plan.
Loyalty Forged Since 1996
Since its first flights in February 1996, when it operated just three Boeing 737-200s, WestJet has built its brand and fleet exclusively around Boeing aircraft.
That consistency continues today as the airline grows into a pan-Canadian powerhouse. The order also ensures that WestJet will remain the only Canadian mainline airline operating an all-Boeing fleet well into the next decade.
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, called the deal an endorsement of Boeing’s role in WestJet’s success.
“We are honored that WestJet has once again placed its trust in Boeing with a major investment that builds on our three decades of partnership and solidifies their fleet for the decades ahead,” Pope said. “We look forward to supporting WestJet’s exciting growth as they leverage the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner to serve even more guests with great efficiency and comfort.”
Record-Setting Commitment
This deal marks the largest aircraft order ever placed by a Canadian carrier, and the scale is substantial. WestJet now has 123 aircraft and 40 options on its order book. The new purchases lift its backlog of the yet-to-be-certified 737-10 to 107 units, with certification currently expected in 2026. On the long-haul side, the airline will double its 787-9 Dreamliner fleet from seven to 14 aircraft.
With the addition of these aircraft, WestJet has the largest order book of any airline in Canada and will double our fleet of Dreamliners.
Alexis von Hoensbroech | WestJet CEO
CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech underscored the dual importance of growth and affordability.
“With the addition of these aircraft, WestJet has the largest order book of any airline in Canada and will double our fleet of Dreamliners, underpinning our growth plans and our commitment to affordable travel options for Canadians from coast to coast and exciting career paths for our people,” von Hoensbroech said. “These highly efficient and comfortable aircraft are critical to the growth and renewal of our fleet and will also significantly improve our fuel consumption.”
Political and Regional Support
WestJet’s record Boeing order drew immediate praise from government leaders. Canada’s Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Chrystia Freeland, framed the agreement as a “pragmatic approach to doing business, creating new opportunities, economic benefits, and long-term jobs on both sides of the border.”
Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the deal proof of Alberta’s growing aviation profile.
“I’m thrilled to see this historic purchase agreement between WestJet and Boeing. Not only does this represent WestJet’s largest-ever aircraft order, but it also reinforces Alberta’s growing reputation, both nationally and internationally, as a leading aerospace and aviation hub.”
Alberta is not only the home of WestJet, which is based at Calgary International Airport (YYC), but also the focus city of Edmonton (YEG).
WestJet’s Fleet in Context
WestJet currently operates 157 Boeing aircraft:
- 36 Boeing 737-700s
- 58 Boeing 737-800s
- 56 Boeing 737 MAX 8s
- 7 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
Its regional affiliate, WestJet Encore, adds 35 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprops, while WestJet Cargo further broadens the group’s scope. With WestJet’s record Boeing order, WestJet will hold the largest order book of any Canadian carrier.
| Aircraft Type | In Service | On Order (Firm) | On Order (Options) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-700 | 36 | 0 | 0 |
| Boeing 737-800 | 58 | 0 | 0 |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 56 | 0 | 0 |
| Boeing 737-10 MAX (On Order) | 0 | 107 | 25 |
| Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (New Orders) | 0 | 7 | 4 |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 (WestJet Encore) | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 192 | 114 | 29 |
WestJet is Positioning Itself as a Major Player in North American Aviation
WestJet’s record Boeing order comes as the carrier consolidates its position as Canada’s second-largest airline and the eighth largest in North America by frequency.
Last year, it carried more than 25 million passengers across a network of over 100 destinations spanning North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Central America. Calgary International Airport (YYC) remains its primary hub, with Toronto Pearson (YYZ) as a secondary hub and a strong presence in Vancouver (YVR), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (YHZ), Montreal (YUL), St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador (YYT), and Winnipeg (YWG).
WestJet has also reshaped its portfolio through acquisitions and brand integration. In 2022, it acquired Sunwing, and in 2023, it folded its ultra-low-cost carrier Swoop into mainline operations to streamline its offerings. These moves, combined with the new Boeing commitments, point to a strategy aimed at balancing affordable domestic service with competitive long-haul expansion.
What’s Good News for WestJet is Great News for Boeing
WestJet’s record Boeing order is more than just numbers on a balance sheet. It’s a clear signal that the airline is doubling down on the Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner as the backbone of its fleet for years to come.
For Boeing, the deal couldn’t come at a better time. It will add momentum as the OEM juggernaut pushes to steady production and stay ahead of Airbus in the global market.
READ MORE ABOUT BOEING:
Boeing’s Decline in Innovation: The Impact of the McDonnell Douglas Merger
Rebuilding the Giant: Boeing’s Fight to Regain Its Wings
For WestJet, the move marks a turning point. It guarantees the airline will stay a Boeing customer well into the next decade while giving it the muscle to expand both at home and overseas. What started in 1996 as a scrappy Western Canadian upstart is now one of North America’s most prominent players.
With Canada’s largest aircraft order book and a renewed tie to Boeing, WestJet is setting up its next chapter: keeping fares affordable for Canadian travelers while reaching deeper into international skies — with its future written firmly in Renton and Everett steel.
