Billy Nolen VP Safety, Security & Quality WestJet Airlines. IATA’s guidance supports the removal of seat distancing as the following protections are provided in the cabin: We understand that not everyone has the same comfort levels when it comes to travel. A warning of possible COVID-19 exposure has been issued for WestJet Flight 248 from Toronto at 9 a.m. on Dec. 26, arriving in Halifax at 12:30 p.m. A face covering is required for you to board an aircraft in Canada. Passengers in rows 1-4, seats A, B, D, and F are asked to continue to self-isolate and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Some health experts have highlighted the risks of spreading COVID-19 in crowded airports and packed cabins. "We're in this minus 95 per cent mode right now," Swoop president Charles Duncan said in an interview. They have also implemented enhanced aircraft cleaning and scaled back their in-flight service in late March, cutting out hot drinks, hot meals and fresh food. JetBlue. The situation continues to change day-to-day. "Operators should develop guidance for spacing passengers aboard aircraft when possible to optimize social distancing," the document states. WestJet introduced Seat Distancing on April 1, 2020 and was the first national airline in Canada to introduce guaranteed social distancing on board the aircraft. Earlier in the day from Edmonton to Vancouver we had over 100," said WestJet flight attendant Chris Rauenbusch, president of CUPE Local 4070. Air Canada and WestJet are ending their seat distancing policy. Refunds are still permitted inside of 24 hours from original booking. WestJet's in-flight amenities make it more than worth the inexpensive fare. Master List Of U.S. WestJet Flight 248 travelling on Dec. 26 from Toronto (9:00 a.m.) to Halifax (12:30 p.m.). Children ages 2 to 5 are encouraged to wear a mask at all times. This report is based on an interview with Ed Sims, WestJet CEO, presented at CAPA Live on 14-Oct-2020. This is why we are adopting the IATA’s guidance for global aviation health and safety and implementing its recommendations with respect to seat distancing effective July 1, 2020. Get answers to your questions . Another exposure may have occurred on WestJet flight WJ 254 on Oct. 30 from Toronto to Halifax, according to health officials. Advisor. COVID-19 refund policy . We're offering a small menu of snacks for purchase on flights over 60 minutes, and you'll find a snack and bottled water at your seat when you board. All WestJet aircraft are equipped with an industry-leading air circulation system containing a HEPA filter, similar to what’s used in hospitals. o Seat fees will be actioned as quickly as possible but may take four to six weeks to process. But from Vancouver just now I brought in 65. Guests originating in British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta travelling on a WestJet operated flight to Hawaii can now get tested for COVID-19 prior to departure, eliminating quarantine time upon arrival. View domestic schedule. For the past few months, Air Canada has blocked the sale of adjacent seats in economy class, and WestJet has done the same throughout the entire plane, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please see our, To use WestJet.com, you agree to the website, see which seats are occupied and select or change your seat, IATA – Air transport & communicable diseases, Change/cancel or reserve your seats online   >, Legal, restrictions and terms and conditions, Flight interruptions and passenger rights, The installation of HEPA filters to help clean recirculated air (all WestJet aircraft are equipped with HEPA filters and fresh air is introduced every 2-3 minutes), The direction of airflow from ceiling to floor reduces the forward and backward movement of air. "It doesn't get much worse than this.". In addition, we’ve increased the frequency of our cleaning and sanitization measures and implemented new technologies like fogging to disinfect touchpoints onboard. As Canada's two largest airlines move to end so-called seat distancing, travellers have mixed feelings about stepping on board an aircraft in the age of COVID-19. In today’s climate, that means working together to make sure we can all travel safely. The country's two largest airlines are ending their on-board seat distancing policies starting July 1, raising health concerns amid a pandemic that has devastated the travel industry. Reply to: WestJet 787-9 seats. The federal government called the decision by WestJet "unfortunate" and said it continues to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the air sector and possible means of recovery. A warning of possible COVID-19 exposure has been issued for WestJet Flight 248 from Toronto at 9 a.m. on Dec. 26, arriving in Halifax at 12:30 p.m. Preview. For the safety of all our guests and crew, we have enhanced our screening at boarding. Make sure you have plenty of time in case there are delays and stay home if you're not well. As a result of the coronavirus COVID-19 situation, refunds to original form of payment are limited at this time. Canada's testing requirement for entry View all travel advisories. Your message. Air Travel forums . WestJet becomes first national carrier in Canada to voluntarily provide refunds to original form of payment. Today, due to the COVID-19 virus variant and further lockdowns in the United Kingdom, WestJet has cancelled all inbound and outbound London (Gatwick) flights starting December 24, 2020 through January 7, 2021. As a result of the coronavirus COVID-19 situation, refunds to original form of payment are limited at this time. Becky Pokora Advisor Contributor. Check in online or download our app to check in on your device to limit contact with surfaces throughout your journey.​. See terms and conditions . https://globalnews.ca/news/7113341/westjet-ends-social-distancing This is to ensure their safety as well as the safety of their families, and the guests they look after every day. Special meals are available in all cabins, but only on flights between Canada and Europe, serviced by our Boeing 787. WestJet’s flexible change and cancellation policy, introduced in response to COVID-19, is applicable to all fare types, including Member Exclusive fares offered to WestJet Rewards members. Refunds are still permitted inside of 24 hours from original booking. Get all the information about our seats including in-seat power, seat maps, premium seats, selection fees and more. This applies to all WestJet air-only, Group claim bookings and contracted/private fare bookings. 1 Alberta Covid Testing. Each seat features a screen and access to a large number of major networks through a major television satellite network. Not available for travel including cruises. IATA called last month for an end to in-flight physical distancing rules, proposing a range of measures including some that run counter to federal government policies. We will share more information as we have it here on our COVID-19, domestic and international schedule pages. It is in the interest of all of Canadians to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. This applies to all WestJet air-only, Group claim bookings and contracted/private fare bookings. In recognition of this, we have reassessed our policy to incorporate the following changes to give comfort to those who are concerned: As a reminder, we have extended our vouchers so that they can be used for up to 24 months. Looking for details on WestJet seating? We hold ourselves to the highest standard and strive to create an environment as clean as possible. Transport Canada listed physical distancing among the "key points" in preventing the spread of the virus as part of a guide issued to the aviation industry in April. Please see our supported browsers. Dec. 16: WestJet Flight #3323— Dec 16: WestJet 3290, Prince George to Vancouver Dec. 15: WestJet Flight #129 — Calgary to Vancouver, rows 1-4 Dec. 15: … Exclusions apply. Delay returning to childcare programs, K-12 schools or post-secondary institutions and other setting restrictions. "At the height of it, it was common to have under 20 people on a plane. General Information Travel restriction Customer notification: Taking care of you. WestJet has released seating details surrounding passengers who have recently tested positive for COVID-19, as well as the dates and flight numbers that are impacted.. Case 1: The airline’s most recent case of the illness has been confirmed by the Public Health Agency of Canada to be a guest who flew London Gatwick to Toronto on WestJet Flight 4 on March 11. In line with federal directives, Air Canada and WestJet conduct pre-boarding temperature checks and require masks on board. WestJet Flight 232 left Calgary on Sept. 7 en route to Halifax. WestJet has announced a plan to return its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to service, with the first commercial flight set for Jan. 21. WestJet says it will suspend most flights to Atlantic Canada and ... or 80 per cent of seat capacity, to Atlantic Canada. WestJet Airlines is slashing 12 per cent of its seat capacity and freezing its spending and hiring as the COVID-19 outbreak reduces demand for air travel. Transport Canada requires all guests 6 years of age or older to wear a face covering. However Joseph Allen, director of the Harvard public health school's Healthy Buildings program, said the HEPA air filters used on most planes effectively control airborne bacteria and viruses. Amazon is buying four jets from WestJet and seven from Delta as the e-commerce giant moves to beef up its delivery fleet at a time when passenger jets are no longer so in demand. Operations WestJet update on London, Gatwick operations. WestJet blames ‘volatile’ demand for seats and uncertainty caused by government travel restrictions and COVID-19 advisories Hi, I’m Billy Nolen, Vice-President of Safety from WestJet. Airline Seating And Mask COVID-19 Policies. Southwest Airlines ® is aware that government mandates have resulted in restrictions on air travel due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Nova Scotia Health Authority is warning Nova Scotians of a potential COVID-19 exposure on a Calgary flight. "The new measures will continue to build on the recommendations of ICAO (the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization) and others that a multi-layered strategy to COVID-19 safety is most effective," Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick said in an email. WestJet Airlines is slashing 12 per cent of its seat capacity and freezing its spending and hiring as the COVID-19 outbreak reduces demand for air travel. We’ve collaborated with testing partner LifeLabs in British Columbia and Ontario to offer State of Hawaii-approved pre-departure testing. ... COVID updates. WestJet will remove approximately 30 per cent of its currently planned February and March capacity from the schedule, a more than 80 per cent reduction year over year. While I wasn’t able to attend in person due to the coronavirus, WestJet gave a virtual tour of the new space. Since the onset of the COVID-19, our teams have been working around the clock to develop and implement new procedures and cleaning protocols to keep you and our crew safe. (Black Press file photo) WestJet flights reduced at YQQ due to ‘volatile demand and instability’ Comox airport will continue to have non-stop access to Western Canada’s two largest hubs. Ask a question Recent Conversations. Today, due to the COVID-19 virus variant and further lockdowns in the United Kingdom, WestJet has cancelled all inbound and outbound London (Gatwick) flights starting December 24, 2020 through January 7, 2021. For full details on what is or isn’t covered, read: Summary of Coverage. Not only do these filters introduce fresh air into the cabin every 2 to 3 minutes, but they also capture and filter 99.99% of all airborne particles so you can breathe a little easier. 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