By the late 2010s, WestJet began reshaping itself into a hybrid carrier—maintaining low-cost roots while offering premium products. In 2018, WestJet unveiled its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring lie-flat business-class suites and enabling new global routes. Long-haul service expanded to cities such as Paris, Dublin, and Rome, positioning WestJet as a competitive transatlantic operator.

A significant corporate shift occurred in May 2019, when WestJet was acquired by Onex Corporation, a Canadian private equity firm. The airline remained headquartered in Calgary, but the acquisition provided financial backing for fleet modernization and international expansion. The airline also announced flights between Toronto and Barcelona, its second destination in mainland Europe which began in May 2019. In June 2021, WestJet announced the opening of a new route from Calgary to Amsterdam followed by Seattle in November 2021.

During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022), WestJet significantly reduced its schedule, grounded much of its fleet, and paused several international routes. Despite challenges, the airline pivoted to domestic and leisure travel, restoring routes gradually as demand recovered.

In 2021, WestJet introduced the Boeing 737 MAX 8, enhancing efficiency and supporting longer medium-haul routes. By 2022, the airline restored key services to Europe and announced major fleet and network plans.

During the first half of 2022, the airline restored numerous domestic and transborder routes that had been suspended during the pandemic. WestJet expanded flights across Canada, especially between Western Canadian cities such as Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg, while also rebuilding connections to Eastern Canada including Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, and St. John’s. Internationally, the airline accelerated the return of leisure-focused services to destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.

In 2022 the airline announced that Calgary would become the centre of its long-haul growth strategy, particularly for transatlantic operations. The airline aimed to position Calgary as a major gateway connecting Western Canada with Europe and Asia-Pacific markets.

In June 2022, WestJet announced an agreement to purchase ultra-low-cost carrier Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations. The transaction aimed to strengthen WestJet’s leisure travel market and expand its presence in Eastern Canada. The acquisition also included Sunwing’s Boeing 737 fleet, tour operations, and vacation packaging business.

In 2022, the airline continued operating its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft following the global recertification of the type after the 737 MAX grounding. WestJet expanded its Boeing 737 MAX fleet, particularly the 737 MAX 8 variant. The airline also continued operating Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on long-haul international services. These aircraft were used on routes from Calgary and Toronto to destinations such as London Heathrow, Paris, Rome, and Dublin.

In May 2023, the Canadian government approved WestJet’s acquisition of Sunwing Airlines, allowing the integration process to begin formally. The acquisition significantly expanded WestJet’s leisure market dominance and increased its operational scale across Canada. Sunwing Airlines eventually became integrated into the broader WestJet Group, alongside low-cost subsidiary Swoop. During the same period, WestJet announced plans to merge Swoop into the mainline airline to simplify operations (Swoop, had launched in 2018 as WestJet’s ultra-low-cost carrier then, ceased independent operations in October 2023), with aircraft and employees transferred into WestJet’s mainline structure.

Throughout 2023, WestJet continued launching and restoring numerous international routes. Calgary became the focal point for expanded transatlantic services, with new or returning routes to Barcelona, Edinburgh, Tokyo Narita, and additional European destinations. The launch of nonstop Calgary–Tokyo Narita service in April 2023 marked WestJet’s return to Asia after years of limited presence in the region. WestJet also expanded services between Canada and the United States, adding frequencies to cities such as Las Vegas, Orlando, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Atlanta. Seasonal leisure flying to Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

As well, the WestJet Encore division, continues to operate Q400 aircraft, supporting essential regional routes in Canada.

By 2024, WestJet also strengthened partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, improving international connectivity through codeshare agreements and coordinated schedules. Calgary remained central to the airline’s strategy, with expanded frequencies to Europe and Asia. Additional long-haul services using Boeing 787 Dreamliners were announced. WestJet’s fleet development during 2024 continued to emphasize Boeing aircraft. The airline took delivery of additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, including the 737 MAX 8, although certification delays affecting the MAX 10 programme impacted delivery schedules.

WestJet also evaluated future widebody growth opportunities for its Boeing 787 fleet. The company increasingly promoted premium cabin products on Dreamliner routes, including lie-flat business-class seating and expanded onboard services aimed at competing more directly with Air Canada on long-haul international flights.

During 2024 and into 2025, WestJet continued expanding its route network from secondary Canadian cities in addition to its Calgary hub. Services from Halifax, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver to leisure destinations in Europe and the Caribbean increased seasonally.

Operationally, WestJet also invested heavily in digital modernization. The airline introduced updates to its mobile app, self-service airport technology, and loyalty programme integration following the merger of WestJet Rewards and Sunwing vacation offerings.

Looking toward the future, WestJet has outlined ambitious plans for continued growth throughout the second half of the 2020s. The airline intends to expand Calgary’s role as a major international hub connecting Canada with Europe and Asia-Pacific destinations. Additional long-haul routes to cities in Asia are expected to be considered if market conditions remain favourable.

Fleet expansion will remain central to WestJet’s future plans. The airline continues to hold orders for additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, including the larger MAX 10 variant once certification is completed. WestJet is also likely to consider expanding its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet to support future long-haul ambitions.

As of today, WestJet remains one of Canada’s largest airlines and continues evolving from its origins as a low-cost regional carrier into a diversified airline group with domestic, transborder, leisure, and intercontinental operations. The airline’s emphasis on Calgary as a global hub, combined with its growing Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 787 fleets, has positioned WestJet for continued growth in both the Canadian and international aviation markets during the years ahead.