WestJet Connects Calgary and Tokyo, Boosting Alberta’s Global Reach

On April 30, WestJet made its inaugural flight to Asia, launching a new service connecting Calgary (YYC) and Tokyo – Narita (NRT). This route demonstrates the airline’s commitment to enhancing Western Canada’s global connectivity. The most recent connection between the province of Alberta and Japan occurred on October 26 when Air Canada flew to the Japanese capital.

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The Flight WS 80 was operated on a Boeing 787 registered C-FAJA, departing from Calgary International Airport (YYC) at 15:32 local time and arriving at Narita Airport (NRT) at 17:02 the next day, completing a 10-hour and 30-minute journey.

John Weatherill, WestJet’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, noted the new route would «increase opportunities for business, leisure, and cargo customers to expand their horizons in Asia» and «provide an exceptional opportunity to welcome transpacific leisure and direct business travelers to Calgary and Alberta.»

WestJet’s Flight Schedule to Tokyo

• Calgary – Tokyo/Narita: Flight WS 80 YYC 15:10 – NRT 16:15+1 Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
• Tokyo/Narita – Calgary: Flight WS 81 NRT 18:15 – YYC 12:15 Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Route Information

• Service available during the summer season, returning in spring 2024.
• WestJet is the sole airline operator on this route.

The route utilizes a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, accommodating 320 passengers (16 Business Class/28 Premium Economy/276 Economy), with promotional fares starting at USD 877 roundtrip. WestJet also maintains a codeshare partnership with Japan Airlines for additional travel options between Canada and Japan.

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All WestJet long-haul flights operate from Calgary (YYC), serving destinations such as London – Heathrow (LHR), London – Gatwick (LGW), Paris (CDG), Dublin (DUB), Rome – Fiumicino (FCO), Barcelona (BCN), Edinburgh (EDI), and Tokyo Narita (NRT).

David Goldstein, executive director of Travel Alberta, stated that this new flight would potentially generate approximately $1.1 billion in tourism revenue and supply 24,000 passenger seats, expressing excitement to «welcome this important international market to our beautiful province.»

Flight History Between Alberta and Asia

During the 2019 summer season, Calgary (YYC) and Asia were connected by Air Canada’s service to Tokyo – Narita (NRT), featuring daily flights on Boeing 767-300ERs, and Hainan Airlines’ three weekly flights to Beijing – Capital (PEK) on Airbus A330s.

Together, these two airlines provided 18,376 seats per month on the Calgary-Asia route. However, neither carrier has announced plans to resume these services. WestJet’s new connection restores 45.3% of market capacity compared to pre-pandemic levels, signifying a significant step toward recovery and increased connectivity between Alberta and Asia.