WestJet orders 67 aircraft from Boeing as it looks to double 787 fleet

Canadian airline WestJet has announced an order with Seattle-based OEM Boeing for 67 aircraft in its largest ever order.

The order consists of 60 Boeing 737 Max 10 single-aisle airliners and seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner widebodies, with options for four more.

WestJet will use its new Dreamliners to grow its expanding international network while the Max 10s will add, not only to that, but also to grow its domestic network across Canada and the USA.

“With the addition of these aircraft, WestJet has the largest order book of any airline in Canada, and will double our fleet of Dreamliners, underpinning our growth plans and our commitment to affordable travel options for Canadians and exciting career paths for our people,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet chief executive officer. “These highly efficient and comfortable aircraft are critical to the growth and renewal of our fleet and will also significantly improve our fuel consumption.”

The new order brings the total backlog with Boeing for WestJet to 123 aircraft.

“We are honored that WestJet has once again placed its trust in Boeing with a major investment that builds on our three decades of partnership and solidifies their fleet for the decades ahead,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We look forward to supporting WestJet’s exciting growth as they leverage the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner to serve even more passengers with great efficiency and comfort.”

Calgary based WestJet start operations in 1996 with three Boeing 737s and has grown to be a significant airline in the North American market and also operating routes to the UK and Europe with a fleet of 150 Boeing 737s and seven Boeing 787s.