Sunwing Airlines
A Canadian leisure airline that operated seasonal and charter flights before being absorbed into WestJet in 2025.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Sunwing Airlines was a Canadian leisure-focused airline headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with major operating bases at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montréal–Trudeau International Airport. It was created as the airline arm of Sunwing Travel Group, a holiday and tour operator that had become one of Ontario's largest by the middle of the 2000s. The airline was designed to provide integrated vacation packages, combining air transportation with hotels, resorts, transfers, and other travel services sold through the Sunwing group. The carrier began flying in November 2005, using Boeing 737-800 aircraft on routes from Toronto to destinations in Cuba. Its early network concentrated on warm-weather holiday markets, particularly Cuba, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and other Caribbean destinations. In December 2005, Sunwing operated a direct international service from Sudbury, Ontario, to Varadero, Cuba, helping establish the carrier's role in connecting smaller Canadian communities with vacation destinations. It launched flights from Montréal in 2006 and expanded rapidly; by 2008 it served 29 cities. Sunwing's business model was strongly seasonal. During the Canadian winter, its aircraft operated scheduled and charter services from numerous Canadian airports to beach destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and selected South American markets. The airline also operated some services from airports in the United States. During the summer, when demand for Canadian sun vacations was lower, aircraft were sometimes deployed in Europe under seasonal arrangements with operators including TUI Group and Smartwings. This reciprocal leasing model helped increase aircraft utilization across different peak travel seasons. The airline primarily operated an all-Boeing 737 fleet. In 2015, it announced a substantial aircraft acquisition arrangement involving Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft, and it received its first 737 MAX 8 in May 2018. Sunwing also participated in aviation workforce development, including a cadet and mentoring partnership involving Seneca College and the University of Waterloo. In 2017, it joined the United States Transportation Security Administration's TSA PreCheck program. Sunwing faced several operational and reputational challenges during its existence. These included aviation-safety incidents, a 2016 case involving an impaired pilot, and the highly publicized December 2021 flight from Montréal to Cancún involving disruptive passenger conduct and alleged violations of pandemic-era travel rules. The incident led Sunwing to cancel the passengers' return charter and prompted investigations and criticism from Canadian officials and other airlines. In 2023, the Canadian government approved WestJet's acquisition of Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations. WestJet completed the acquisition in May 2023 and subsequently announced that Sunwing's airline operations would be integrated into the mainline business. The transition was planned over approximately two years. Sunwing Airlines operated its final flight on May 28, 2025, after which its operations were merged into WestJet. The Sunwing brand therefore became a former Canadian airline brand rather than an independent operating carrier.
History
Sunwing Airlines emerged from the expansion of Sunwing Travel Group, which had become a major Ontario tour operator by 2004. According to the airline's historical account, former Skyservice employee Mark Williams approached Sunwing Travel Group chief executive Colin Hunter with the idea of establishing an airline that could provide dedicated capacity for the group's vacation business. The airline began operations in November 2005 with a Boeing 737-800 flight from Toronto to Santiago de Cuba. The following month it introduced a direct Sudbury–Varadero service, one of the early international routes operated from Sudbury Airport. Sunwing expanded beyond Toronto during its first years. It began flying from Montréal in November 2006 and had grown to serve 29 cities by 2008. Its network was centered on leisure destinations in Cuba, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of South America. The carrier also served some United States gateways, particularly during the winter season, while offering domestic Canadian services during the summer. Its relationship with Sunwing Vacations enabled it to sell air travel as part of broader holiday packages rather than relying solely on standalone tickets. The airline's ownership structure attracted regulatory attention in 2012. An individual and Transat A.T. submitted information to the Canadian Transportation Agency that was understood to question whether Sunwing complied with Canadian foreign-ownership requirements. In November of that year, the agency concluded that Sunwing was operating within the applicable ownership limits. Fleet development became an important part of the airline's growth strategy. In 2015, Sunwing announced a deal valued at $350 million for two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and four Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation, with deliveries planned over several years beginning in 2016. Sunwing received its first 737 MAX 8 in May 2018. The airline also developed a future-pilot pathway with Seneca College and the University of Waterloo in 2016, combining flight training and mentoring. It joined TSA PreCheck in 2017, extending expedited-screening access to eligible travelers using its U.S. airports. Sunwing's aircraft utilization reflected the seasonal nature of Canadian leisure travel. During the winter, aircraft were used on southbound vacation routes from Canadian and selected U.S. airports. In the summer, some aircraft were deployed to Europe for TUI Group and Smartwings, while aircraft from those operators could be leased into Canada during the winter. The arrangement gave Sunwing access to additional capacity and allowed its fleet to remain productive outside its busiest Canadian travel period. The carrier experienced several operational events. In 2014, a bomb threat on a Toronto-to-Panama flight led to a return to Toronto under escort; the passenger was arrested. In 2016, a pilot was removed and charged after being found impaired. In 2017, a Sunwing-operated aircraft struck runway approach lights at Belfast after an incorrect temperature input affected takeoff calculations. In 2018, an unoccupied aircraft collided with a WestJet aircraft while taxiing at Toronto Pearson. The most prominent public controversy occurred on Flight 2283, a December 30, 2021 charter from Montréal to Cancún. A group of passengers was accused of unruly behavior, using personal alcohol and electronic cigarettes, and breaching pandemic-era travel requirements. Sunwing canceled the return charter, and Canadian officials directed their departments to investigate. The episode generated criticism from the prime minister and transport and public-safety ministers. WestJet announced its agreement to acquire Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations, and the Canadian transport minister approved the transaction in March 2023. Completion took place in May 2023. WestJet subsequently announced that Sunwing's airline operation would be integrated into its mainline business. In 2024, it confirmed that the incorporation would be completed in 2025. Sunwing operated its final flight on May 28, 2025, marking the end of the airline as a separate operating carrier.
- 2025
Separate airline operation ends
[1]Sunwing operated its final flight on May 28, 2025, as its airline business was integrated into WestJet.
- 2023
Acquisition by WestJet completed
[1]WestJet completed its acquisition of Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations in May 2023.
- 2018
First Boeing 737 MAX 8 delivered
[1]Sunwing received its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 on May 25, 2018.
- 2016
Pilot cadet partnership launched
[1]Sunwing partnered with Seneca College and the University of Waterloo on a pilot cadet and mentoring program.
- 2015
Boeing fleet acquisition announced
[1]Sunwing announced a $350 million arrangement covering Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
- 2012
Foreign-ownership review concluded
[1]The Canadian Transportation Agency determined that Sunwing complied with foreign-ownership limits.
- 2008
Network reaches 29 cities
[1]Sunwing had expanded its network to 29 cities.
- 2006
Montréal operations begin
[1]Sunwing operated its first flight from Montréal, establishing a second major Canadian base.
- 2005
First commercial operations
[1]Sunwing began flying in November 2005 with a Boeing 737-800 service from Toronto to Santiago de Cuba.
- 2005
Sudbury–Varadero route begins
[1]The airline launched a direct international service between Sudbury, Ontario, and Varadero, Cuba.
Products and positioning
Sunwing positioned itself as a Canadian leisure and vacation-package airline, emphasizing seasonal access to warm-weather destinations, broad departures from Canadian gateways, and integration with the Sunwing Travel Group's tour-operator and resort offerings.
Passenger air services · 2005
Seasonal leisure passenger flights
Sunwing's core offering consisted of scheduled and charter passenger flights from Canadian and selected U.S. airports to warm-weather vacation destinations. The network focused on Cuba, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and other Caribbean, Central American, and South American markets. Services were particularly concentrated during the Canadian winter travel season.
Integrated travel packages
Sunwing Vacations air-and-holiday packages
Sunwing Airlines supported the broader Sunwing Travel Group by providing air capacity for vacation packages that combined flights with accommodation and related travel services. This integrated model differentiated the airline from carriers focused principally on standalone scheduled tickets.
Aircraft product generation · 2018
Boeing 737 MAX 8 operations
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 became part of Sunwing's fleet modernization program, following a 2015 acquisition arrangement and delivery of the first aircraft in May 2018. The type complemented the carrier's Boeing 737-800 fleet and was used on domestic and international leisure routes.
Controversies
2021
Flight 2283 passenger-conduct controversy
Passengers on a Montréal–Cancún charter were accused of disruptive behavior, consuming their own alcohol, using electronic cigarettes, and disregarding pandemic-era requirements. Sunwing canceled the return charter, and Canadian authorities investigated the incident.
2016
Impaired pilot removed and charged
A Sunwing pilot was removed from the cockpit and charged after airline staff determined that the pilot was impaired.
Brand decisions
2023
Acquisition and integration into WestJetM&ABackground
WestJet acquired Sunwing Airlines and Sunwing Vacations as part of a broader expansion in Canadian leisure travel.
Action taken
The Canadian transport minister approved the acquisition in March 2023, WestJet completed it in May, and the airline announced plans to integrate Sunwing's operations into its mainline business.
Aftermath
Sunwing operated its final flight on May 28, 2025, after which the separate airline operation ended.
2015
Order and lease arrangement for Boeing 737 aircraftProduct launchBackground
Sunwing sought to expand and modernize its fleet for its growing seasonal leisure network.
Action taken
The airline announced a $350 million arrangement involving two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and four Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled over several years.
Aftermath
Sunwing received its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 in May 2018.
Announced aircraft transaction value. $350 million (2015 announcement)
Recent events
Sunwing offers 48-hour sale on Royalton Luxury Resorts[2]
Reported:
Sunwing offered savings of up to 50% on vacation packages to Royalton Luxury Resorts through a limited-time sale.
- Unconfirmed
Sunwing collaborates with Second Harvest on meal donations[3]
Reported:
Sunwing collaborated with Second Harvest on providing more than 46,000 donated meals to food programs and communities across Canada.
Amadeus and Sunwing Airlines enter global distribution agreement[4]
Reported:
Amadeus entered a global distribution agreement with Sunwing Airlines, and the airline was live and bookable in the Amadeus System. The agreement provides travel sellers who subscribe to Amadeus access to Sunwing fares and inventory.
Sources5 sources
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