Sun-sational winter ahead!

WestJet adds even more destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico

CALGARY, July 23, 2012 /CNW/ - WestJet announced today it will add four new sun destinations and extend two more from seasonal to year-round as part of its 2012-2013 winter schedule. The new Caribbean destinations are Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao and Costa Rica*, all from Toronto Pearson International Airport. The airline's newest Mexican destination is Manzanillo, via Calgary International Airport.

Details of WestJet's new, seasonal non-stop service include:

"The addition of these new sun destinations as part of our 2012-2013 winter schedule demonstrates our ongoing strategic focus on expanding our offerings within the popular sun destination market," said John MacLeod, WestJet Vice-President, Alliances, Strategy and Chief Network Officer. "With some two dozen Caribbean hotspots and seven destinations in Mexico, Canadians looking for the sun this winter will have no shortage of choices for their getaway vacations."

WestJet's upcoming winter schedule will also extend non-stop service between Toronto Pearson and Kingston, Jamaica, from seasonal to year-round status, and increase non-stop service between Aruba and Toronto Pearson from once to twice weekly.

New routes this year include Kelowna-Los Angeles, Ottawa-Fort Myers, London-Varadero, Thunder Bay-Cancun, Montreal-Turks and Caicos, Montreal-St. Martin, St. John's-Punta Cana and Winnipeg-Cabo San Lucas. WestJet will also expand service from various Canadian cities to Hawaii, California, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

This winter, WestJet Vacations will offer flexible and great-value vacation packages to Costa Rica, Manzanillo and Antigua and Barbuda, and is proud to reintroduce its popular price guarantee. Under its terms, should an identical WestJet Vacations package decrease in price at any time prior to 21 days before departure, guests and travel agents can call WestJet Vacations and the difference in cost will be refunded to the original form of payment. The guarantee can also be used multiple times should the price continue to drop.

"The WestJet Vacations price guarantee offers guests peace of mind," said Chris Avery, WestJet Vice-President and General Manager, WestJet Vacations. "Canadians want to know they can go ahead and book their vacation packages well in advance with a sense of confidence. As we continue to strive to become the tour operator of choice for Canadian travellers, this is another way to demonstrate our commitment to deliver a great guest experience every step of the way."

The WestJet Vacations price guarantee is offered to guests who book a minimum three-night WestJet Vacations package before October 31, 2012, for travel between September 4, 2012 and June 27, 2013. For full details and restrictions, please visit westjetvacations.com.

WestJet has now added an eighth daily flight between Toronto Pearson and New York's LaGuardia Airport, just minutes from the heart of the Big Apple. With departures timed to match the needs of business travellers, WestJet also offers convenient connections and access to more than a dozen destinations beyond LaGuardia through its code-share partner, Delta Air Lines.

Guests will have the ability to earn either WestJet dollars or Delta SkyMiles when booking these code-share flights. WestJet Rewards members will also earn triple WestJet dollars on flights to/from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and New York-LaGuardia until September 3, 2012. Full details can be found at westjet.com/nycbonus.

As an extension to service currently offered to guests flying between Toronto and Montreal and Toronto and Ottawa, guests travelling to New York-LaGuardia from these three cities will also enjoy conveniences including priority security screening in Toronto on weekdays, no extra fees for taking an earlier flight, no extra fees for missing their flight but arriving at the airport within two hours of their scheduled departure, a complimentary glass of wine or beer on board, and WestJet's unique, industry-leading on-time service promise. Full details are available at westjet.com/smartbusiness.

*Subject to government approval.

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 81-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of 99 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 36 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

About WestJet Vacations
WestJet Vacations provides guests with affordable, reliable and easy-to-book travel experiences to 50 destinations in 15 countries, including the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Leveraging WestJet's fun and friendly image, extensive network and world-class guest experience, WestJet Vacations offers guests a great flight schedule and a wide variety of hotel and resort options to create fun and affordable vacation experiences. For more information, visit www.westjetvacations.com.

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SOURCE: WestJet