WestJet's Remarkable 30-Year Journey from Regional Startup to Global Carrier
In February 1996, business journalist Don Campbell settled into an aisle seat aboard a Boeing 737 operated by a fledgling Alberta-based airline called WestJet. The cabin was nearly full, with flight attendants in bomber jackets and colorful blouses offering warm hospitality on the short Calgary-to-Edmonton route. Looking back, Campbell reflects: "When we were flying over gopher holes, pumpjacks and coulees, there was no reason to believe this was going to be an airline that would fly over continents and oceans."
Humble Origins and Unexpected Growth
WestJet began operations with just three aircraft and 220 employees crammed into a modest office near Calgary International Airport. Today, the airline boasts a sprawling campus attached to the airport featuring four massive hangars and employs approximately 14,000 staff members. From those initial regional flights, WestJet has expanded to serve nearly 150 destinations across four continents, having flown five billion kilometers and transported 400 million passengers over three decades.
Jennifer Kalinchuk, Program Manager of COM and Inflight Standards at WestJet, represents one of the few remaining employees who has been with the airline since its inception. Recently photographed with a model of one of WestJet's older planes at the Calgary headquarters, Kalinchuk embodies the company's enduring spirit through its remarkable transformation.
Navigating Turbulence and Challenges
Despite the smooth inaugural flight on February 29, 1996, WestJet's journey has encountered significant turbulence. The airline has weathered numerous challenges including:
- Unionization efforts and strike votes
- The global pandemic that grounded fleets worldwide
- Public criticism regarding leg room and canceled flights
- A lawsuit from thousands of female flight attendants alleging inadequate protection from workplace harassment
Through these difficulties, WestJet has demonstrated resilience, continuing operations and maintaining its position as Canada's second-largest airline behind Air Canada.
The Story Behind the Name
Before becoming an aviation powerhouse, WestJet's founders engaged in creative brainstorming sessions to name their startup venture. Clive Beddoe, the airline's principal founder, recalls numerous suggestions scribbled on whiteboards during those early days.
"Jet West" and "Bud-Jet" were among nearly two dozen potential names considered by Beddoe and fellow founders Mark Hill, Don Bell, and Tim Morgan. However, none of the founders themselves conceived the winning name. According to Beddoe, it was Mark Hill's mother who suggested "What about WestJet?" during a conversation with her son.
Beddoe immediately recognized the name's potential, declaring it perfect, with the other founders quickly agreeing. This simple yet memorable name would eventually become synonymous with Canadian aviation innovation and growth.
Financial Performance and Future Prospects
Thirty years after its founding, WestJet continues to demonstrate strong financial performance despite industry challenges. The company's sustained success has sparked speculation about potential future milestones, including a possible second public offering on the stock market.
WestJet's evolution from a regional carrier serving Alberta communities to an international airline connecting four continents represents one of Canada's most impressive business success stories. The airline's ability to adapt, innovate, and persevere through economic fluctuations, global crises, and competitive pressures highlights its enduring significance in the North American aviation landscape.
As WestJet celebrates three decades of operations, the company stands poised for its next chapter of growth, building on a foundation established by visionary founders and sustained by thousands of employees who have contributed to its remarkable journey from local startup to global aviation player.
