WestJet merger with Sunwing to expand fleet, retire Sunwing brand

WestJet operates a relatively young fleet with a notable history. Established in 1994 as Canada's low-cost carrier, WestJet stands as the second-largest airline in the country, following Air Canada. Its operations spread across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, with some routes extending to Europe and Asia using Boeing 787 Dreamliners, first introduced to its fleet in 2019.

WestJet is in the process of merging with Sunwing Airlines, scheduled for completion by May 2025. This merger will see Sunwing's aircraft absorbed into the WestJet fleet, eventually retiring the Sunwing brand altogether. The current fleet is somewhat diverse but primarily consists of Boeing aircraft. Specific figures include 36 Boeing 737-700s averaging 18.8 years and 49 Boeing 737-800s with an average age of 12.4 years. The Boeing 737 MAX variants average 4.5 years, while their Dreamliners are 5.2 years old, on average.

WestJet Encore, a subsidiary focusing on short-haul routes, operates De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprops with an average age of 9.3 years. The WestJet group also includes a cargo segment utilizing converted Boeing 737-800 freighters. An industry report previously noted, "Canadian carrier WestJet Cargo has parked two of its four leased 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) in response to tough market conditions."