WestJet Encore
A Canadian regional airline operating feeder and lower-density routes for WestJet.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
WestJet Encore is a Canadian regional airline established by WestJet Airlines in 2013 to extend the parent carrier's network beyond the practical limits of an all-Boeing 737 fleet. It is a wholly owned but legally separate airline within the WestJet corporate structure and operates flights marketed through WestJet. Its role is to provide more frequent service on established markets, connect WestJet hubs with smaller communities, and serve routes whose traffic volumes are not sufficient to support a mainline narrow-body jet. The airline was created after WestJet studies identified a likely growth constraint once the mainline fleet reached roughly 90 to 100 Boeing 737 aircraft. WestJet had become a major Canadian carrier, but its lack of turboprop aircraft limited its ability to compete with Air Canada on thinner routes. In 2012, WestJet selected the Bombardier Q400 NextGen, now associated with the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 family, placing an initial firm order for 20 aircraft with additional options. The type offered greater capacity and speed than many smaller regional aircraft while remaining economical on short and medium-length routes. WestJet Encore received its own Canadian air operator certificate on June 12, 2013, and began scheduled service on June 24 of that year. Its first flights linked Calgary with Saskatoon, Nanaimo, and Fort St. John, with an additional Fort St. John–Vancouver route. The initial network concentrated on Western Canada, although the airline later expanded eastward through Toronto and Halifax. It also entered selected transborder markets, including Boston and Nashville, before the network was subsequently reshaped. The airline grew rapidly during its first years. Its Q400 fleet reached 18 aircraft by March 2015, 34 by December 2016, and more than 40 aircraft in the following year. WestJet Encore became one of the largest Q400 operators globally. Approximately half of its passengers have historically connected to or from WestJet mainline services, highlighting its feeder function within the broader network. Flights are sold and marketed through WestJet, and eligible customers participate in WestJet Rewards and selected partner loyalty programs. WestJet Encore cabins have included economy seating and a forward Premium section. The regional Premium product differs from WestJet's mainline premium cabin and is primarily distinguished by location and ticket flexibility rather than additional legroom. The airline does not operate its own airport lounges, instead relying on available paid lounge arrangements at selected airports. Its workforce was initially non-unionized. Pilot unionization was achieved through the Air Line Pilots Association in 2017, while flight-attendant representation and bargaining developed separately. The airline has also faced industry-wide pilot shortages and operational pressures, particularly during periods of rapid growth and post-pandemic recovery. Beginning in 2021 and reinforced by WestJet Group restructuring announced in 2022, the network was refocused toward Western Canada, with service east of Thunder Bay discontinued. WestJet Encore remains a regional operating platform rather than a separately reported financial segment; WestJet reports financial information for the wider airline group rather than publishing standalone Encore results. Its strategic importance lies in network breadth, regional connectivity, and the ability to match aircraft size with demand across Canada's geographically dispersed market.
History
WestJet Encore was conceived as a response to a structural limitation in WestJet Airlines' original business model. During the mid-2000s, internal planning concluded that continued growth using only Boeing 737 aircraft would eventually leave the carrier unable to serve many smaller Canadian markets economically. WestJet could either slow its expansion or introduce a smaller aircraft type capable of operating thinner routes and adding frequency where a 737 schedule was insufficient. The absence of turboprops was particularly significant because Air Canada and its regional partners could offer more frequent service to communities where WestJet offered little or no capacity. WestJet evaluated regional aircraft alternatives and selected the Bombardier Q400 NextGen. A letter of intent for 20 aircraft was announced in May 2012, followed by a conditional order in June and a firm order for 20 aircraft plus options in August. The Q400 provided a balance of capacity, speed, and operating economics suitable for routes of up to approximately 700 nautical miles. WestJet established Encore as a wholly owned, legally separate airline and considered several possible names before selecting WestJet Encore. Calgary became the corporate headquarters, while Toronto Pearson was also considered as a base for the operation. The airline received a separate air operator certificate on June 12, 2013. Scheduled flights began on June 24, initially using two Q400s on routes from Calgary to Saskatoon, Nanaimo, and Fort St. John, together with a Fort St. John–Vancouver service. The opening network was designed both to create new links and to provide additional frequencies on routes that were already part of WestJet's broader system. Many passengers connected to WestJet mainline flights, making Encore an important feeder rather than an entirely independent network. Expansion followed quickly. Service reached Ontario in 2014 with Toronto–Thunder Bay operations and later spread to eastern Canadian markets associated with Toronto and Halifax. WestJet Encore also introduced transborder flying, including Boston service in 2016 and Nashville service in 2017. Fleet growth was substantial: the Q400 fleet reached 18 aircraft in early 2015, 34 by the end of 2016, and 43 by the end of 2017 according to cited historical fleet figures. The airline was described as the fastest-growing Q400 operator in 2015 and among the world's largest operators of the type by 2017. Operational and labour issues accompanied the expansion. Encore began with a non-union workforce, but union-organizing efforts emerged from 2014 onward. A WestJet pilots' organization was involved in contract discussions, and the Air Line Pilots Association successfully organized the airline's approximately 500 pilots in November 2017. Flight-attendant representation developed separately, with the Canadian Union of Public Employees pursuing organizing efforts after a 2018 compensation and work-rules arrangement. Pilot shortages affected hiring and scheduling in 2018, leading to reduced minimum experience requirements for new recruits. The airline's role was also affected by airport infrastructure. Calgary International Airport opened a large new terminal complex in 2016, but long walking distances, separate concourses, aircraft-towing requirements, staffing constraints, and baggage-system incompatibilities created operational difficulties for WestJet's domestic, transborder, and international connecting flows. These issues were particularly relevant to a regional carrier whose passengers often connect through a WestJet hub. WestJet Encore adopted a revised aircraft livery in 2015. The update retained the broader WestJet visual identity while replacing the earlier geometric symbol near the wordmark with a stylized maple leaf. Commercially, Encore flights remained integrated into WestJet distribution, WestJet Rewards, and partner loyalty arrangements, rather than being positioned as a fully independent consumer brand. The COVID-19 era and subsequent recovery changed the network's priorities. In 2021, service east of Thunder Bay was discontinued as operations were refocused on Western Canada. In 2022, WestJet Group leadership described a broader strategic concentration on Western Canada. This repositioning reduced the breadth of Encore's former eastern and transborder network but reinforced its role in connecting Western Canadian cities and smaller communities with WestJet's principal hubs. Financial results are not published as a standalone Encore segment, because the parent reports the airline group and its operating units collectively.
- 2022
Western Canada strategy reinforced
[1]WestJet Group leadership announced a broader strategic emphasis on Western Canada during post-pandemic restructuring.
- 2021
Network refocused on Western Canada
[1]Service east of Thunder Bay was discontinued as the airline concentrated its operating network in Western Canada.
- 2017
Pilot workforce unionized
[1]The Air Line Pilots Association organized the airline's pilot workforce in November.
- 2016
Transborder service begins
[1]WestJet Encore entered selected United States markets, including Boston, while its fleet continued to expand.
- 2015
Livery revised
[1]The airline introduced a revised WestJet visual treatment featuring a stylized maple leaf in place of its earlier geometric symbol.
- 2014
Expansion into Ontario
[1]Encore opened service between Toronto and Thunder Bay, beginning its expansion beyond the initial Western Canadian network.
- 2013
WestJet Encore established and launched
[1]The airline received a separate air operator certificate in June and began scheduled service on June 24 from Calgary using Q400 aircraft.
- 2012
Q400 order announced
[1]WestJet moved toward a firm order for 20 Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft, with additional options, to support a new regional operation.
- 2005
Growth constraint identified
[1]WestJet studies concluded that an all-Boeing 737 strategy could eventually limit access to smaller Canadian markets and constrain further network growth.
Products and positioning
Regional airline and feeder operator serving lower-density markets and supplementing WestJet mainline capacity.
Regional air transportation · 2013
Q400 NextGen regional flights
WestJet Encore's principal and historically sole aircraft type has been the Bombardier Q400 NextGen, later associated with the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 family. The turboprop is configured for short and medium regional sectors and is intended to provide economical capacity where a Boeing 737 would be too large or where additional frequency is needed. The aircraft features an updated interior, larger overhead storage, revised landing gear, and noise-reduction measures.
Airline cabin product · 2013
Economy cabin
The standard cabin product provides economy seating on Q400 aircraft for domestic Canadian and selected transborder regional flights. Service is integrated with WestJet's ticketing, distribution, connecting itinerary, and loyalty systems rather than sold as a wholly separate network.
Airline cabin product · 2013
Premium cabin
WestJet Encore has offered a forward-cabin Premium section. Unlike WestJet's mainline Premium product, it is not primarily defined by extra legroom; its benefits have included cabin location and different change-fee treatment for eligible tickets.
Loyalty program · 2013
WestJet Rewards participation
Encore flights participate in WestJet Rewards, allowing eligible travelers to earn and redeem WestJet-linked rewards. Depending on itinerary and membership arrangements, passengers may also receive credit through selected partner loyalty programs.
Brand decisions
2022
WestJet Group Western Canada refocusStrategyBackground
WestJet Group leadership announced a broader post-pandemic strategic emphasis on Western Canada.
Action taken
The group aligned its network and operating priorities more closely with Western Canadian markets, reinforcing Encore's regional role there.
Aftermath
WestJet Encore continued as a regional platform supporting the group's Western Canadian network rather than maintaining its earlier nationwide footprint.
2021
Withdrawal from service east of Thunder BayStrategyBackground
Post-pandemic network restructuring prompted WestJet to reassess the geographic scope and economics of its regional operation.
Action taken
WestJet Encore discontinued all service east of Thunder Bay and concentrated its network on Western Canada.
Aftermath
The airline's role became more focused on Western Canadian regional connectivity and WestJet hub feeding.
2012
Selection of the Q400 for regional operationsProduct launchBackground
WestJet needed a smaller aircraft to serve lower-density routes and add frequency without relying exclusively on Boeing 737 aircraft.
Action taken
The parent company placed a firm order for 20 Q400 NextGen aircraft and secured additional options for the planned regional airline.
Aftermath
The order enabled WestJet Encore to launch as a dedicated turboprop operator and become a major Q400 customer.
Recent events
WestJet announces pilot layoffs[2]
Reported:
WestJet notified its pilots' union that it planned to issue layoff notices to 1,700 pilots across WestJet, Encore and Swoop. The reported effective dates were May 1 and June 1.
Sources2 sources
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