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WestJet continues to make bold moves. The airline has just added five new flights for snowbirds to exciting destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. The carrier is enjoying a strong period, as its punctuality and performance were recently praised by travelers, making it one of Cirium's top performers in its on-time performance reports among major carriers worldwide.
WestJet is continuing its positive momentum by listening to demands. While the airline continues to bolster its network in Mexico, the opposite is happening in the U.S.
WestJet Is Expanding In Mexico And The Latin Caribbean With Five New Flights
WestJet continues its impressive expansion in Mexico by adding a "first-time" flight from its global hub at Calgary International Airport to Mérida, Mexico. The new route will be the only non-stop connection between Mérida and Calgary.
Along with the new and exciting flight, the carrier is also expanding in Punta Cana, another hot spot for Canadian travelers over the years. Belize City, Liberia, and San José del Cabo were some of the other additions.
WestJet's Five New 2026/2027 Winter Routes
The addition of Mérida, Mexico, the capital of Mexico's Yucatán state, is especially exciting. Travelers can enjoy plenty of tourist attractions, including Plaza Grande, which features quality restaurants, historic buildings, and even street performers.
The destination has something for every type of visitor. Other notable locations include Mérida Cathedral, the Lucas de Gálvez Market, and the Government Palace.
This is an exciting new destination that gives travelers another option for the upcoming winter.
Reactions To WestJet's Winter Expansion At Sunny Destinations
John Weatherill, WestJet Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, issued a statement regarding WestJet's new winter flights for snowbirds. The carrier's vice president revealed that the airline is listening to growing demand for both Mexico and the Latin Caribbean.
“These additions support the growing demand for options in Mexico and the Latin Caribbean, while sustainably expanding our schedule and managing our fleet during the peak winter travel season. We are excited to offer more ways for guests to trade their snow boots for sandals in the destinations that matter most to them, and we look forward to the travel stories that will take off from these exciting new options.”"
Katie Dockham, Director, Commercial Development & External Relations at YQR, also spoke highly of WestJet's expansion in Mérida.
"ASUR is delighted with WestJet's growth in Merida. We are thrilled to receive your new Calgary–Merida route this winter, a unique destination in the Yucatan Peninsula. We are certain that you will be very successful, and your customers will enjoy this wonderful piece of paradise and all that it has to offer. Cheers to our Canadian friends!"
Along with its five new flights, WestJet also bolstered its schedule with three new vacation packages with Sunwing Vacations. The packages run from November 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027.
WestJet's New Sunwing Packages
- Liberia – Ottawa
- Punta Cana – Winnipeg
- Roatán – Québec City
With WestJet's new and exciting flight for Canadian snowbirds, the airline is capitalizing on interest in Mexico and the Latin Caribbean. Meanwhile, flights to the United States continue to decline.
WestJet Continues Its Steep Drop For U.S. Travel
While WestJet continues to bolster its flights elsewhere, U.S. travel continues to fall. During the pivotal travel month of July, WestJet cut 214 flights to the U.S. compared to the same period last year. WestJet's July reductions included major hubs like Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, a major connection hub for passengers.
In a past statement, WestJet confirmed that it is continuing to evaluate the demand for U.S. travel and will make the necessary adjustments in accordance with market trends.
"WestJet continuously evaluates and adjusts its schedule to meet demand, and we remain committed to reviewing opportunities for direct service on these routes in the future."
For now, the carrier continues to decrease its U.S. routes both for summer and winter flights. While some routes have been suspended in 2026, others have either been removed or scaled back on with reduced frequency.
WestJet's Removed Or Suspended U.S. Routes
- Vancouver (YVR) — Boston (BOS)
- Vancouver (YVR) — San Francisco (SFO)
- Vancouver (YVR) — San Diego (SAN)
- Vancouver (YVR) — Tampa (TPA)
- Vancouver (YVR) — Nashville (BNA)
- Kelowna (YLW) — Seattle (SEA)
- Edmonton (YEG) — Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
- Edmonton (YEG) — Atlanta (ATL)
- Edmonton (YEG) — Orlando (MCO)
- Edmonton (YEG) — Las Vegas (LAS)
- Calgary (YYC) — Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
- Calgary (YYC) — Austin (AUS)
- Calgary (YYC) — Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- Winnipeg (YWG) — Nashville (BNA)
- Toronto (YYZ) — Los Angeles (LAX)
- Toronto (YYZ) — Orlando (MCO)
WestJet is focusing on what's working. That continues to be Mexico, along with other emerging destinations in Latin America. WestJet's five new snowbird flights are yet another indication of its current focus on routes.
