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. The study is open to WestJet guests who are residents of British Columbia, between the ages of 19 and 80, and who have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days. See where we fly, what’s happening up in the sky and stay up-to-date with everything WestJet. With a vaccine not yet produced, we are learning to live responsibly with the virus as it’s here with us for the foreseeable future. RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) — The Vancouver International Airport and WestJet will co-pilot a new COVID-19 rapid testing study with UBC. Pre-departure testing for Hawaii Get tested prior to departure in BC, Ontario or Alberta for destinations that require a negative COVID PCR test for entry. 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. Learn more about all the ways we’re keeping #SafetyAboveAll here. We’ve relaxed our cancellation policy for all fare types, including Basic, so you can change or cancel your flight one time, without a fee. (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. • Non-contact temperature scanning at all our bases. On June 9, we released our Safety Above All program and have been educating governments and guests on the investments and enhancements our airline has been making to ensure the safest travel journey. To use WestJet.com, you agree to the website terms of use, the privacy policy, and the use of cookies. WestJet has started to provide refunds to the original form of payment for guests with flights that were cancelled by WestJet due to the COVID-19 pandemic.. We are contacting eligible guests with the option to request a refund to original form of payment, instead of the Travel Bank credit they received when their flight was cancelled by WestJet. We are temporarily ceasing international flying to sun destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, in response to a request from the Government of Canada. Previously, Air Canada blocked the sale of adjacent seats in economy class, and WestJet had done the same throughout the entire plane, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 6 hours ago. As of this week, Canada is requiring all inbound passengers age five and older to show proof of a negative Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction test taken within 72 hours of their departure. Learn about additional entry requirements including testing and quarantine. 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. Our global partners are working diligently to provide guests with the most up-to-date information. WestJet has definitely proven itself as the most dedicated Canadian airline when it comes to figuring out air travel during COVID-19. WestJet is cutting staff and slashing its flight capacity by a third because of what the airline calls "instability in the face of continuing federal government travel advisories and restrictions." We have been posting all affected flights here as soon as we are notified by public health authorities of a confirmed case. COVID-19 REFUND POLICY ... • If the seat was booked directly with WestJet (e.g. WestJet is a highly safety sensitive organization in one of the most carefully regulated industries and every decision we make has the safety of our guests and WestJetters at the forefront. Seat distancing was never intended to be in place permanently or throughout the pandemic. WestJet Agent, My Trips, Travel Support Team, etc. *Note that flight loads are dynamic and … WestJet has been a leader in Canada through transparent communications regarding COVID-19 affected flights to our guests and WestJetters. See updates about safety, testing, schedule, travel insurance, change or cancel, destination entry requirements and more. WestJet freezes hiring, considers suspending routes as COVID-19 hammers bottom line. Travel & Escape Potential COVID-19 exposure on WestJet flight. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and WestJet’s COVID-19 rapid test pilot project – the first of its kind in Canada – has officially taken off.. The initiative, dubbed the WestJet-YVR COVID-19 Testing Study, is a collaboration between UBC researchers and Providence Health Care. Airport transfer. Passengers aboard a WestJet flight from Toronto to Halifax are being told to look out for symptoms, after it was revealed they might’ve been exposed to COVID-19. We recommend checking in online or with the WestJet app 24 hours before your flight to help ... a member of your flight crew will also provide a disinfectant wipe to use as you board for freshening your seat area. Airlines such as Air Canada (AC), Emirates (EK), FlyDubai (FZ), Etihad (EY), and Virgin Atlantic (VS) also offer similar insurance plans.. Back in July, Ws released its updated August schedule which includes over 200 daily flights to 48 destinations across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe. Passengers were on the plane for approximately two hours. Over the subsequent two weeks, WestJet will work to bring our guests already in destination back to Canada. We believe that we are doing all we can to ensure those who are comfortable with it can travel safely and responsibly on our aircraft. With the many safeguards and procedures implemented, we are certain travel can be undertaken safely while allowing for economies to begin growing again and putting Canadians back to work. "WestJet is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of air travel through initiatives such as the WestJet-YVR COVID-19 Testing Study. Our latest news and announcements, including press releases or schedule and corporate updates. To request cancellation of a WestJet Vacations package, please contact us directly. As the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to rise across Los Angeles County, Manhattan Beach is closing outdoor seating spaces on public property, effective Sunday at … 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. COVID-19 refund policy . Additional safety measures For guests making reservations on or after September 18th for air travel or vacation packages through WestJet, This is valid for travel to or from Mexico, the Caribbean (minus the US), Europe and the United Kingdom, and inbound travelers to Canada. As travel is affected by COVID-19, we’ve made some changes so when you return to flying, your WestJet Rewards will be waiting for you. The Nova Scotia Health Authority is warning Nova Scotians of a potential COVID-19 exposure on a Calgary flight. WestJet will make it through COVID-19, but may not recover to previous size: CEO Back to video “We might not be our previous size for a long time, if ever,” Sims said. According to WestJet, passengers have to present a negative PCR or RT-LAMP test at check-in and again at Canadian Customs.WestJet notes it is each passenger’s responsibility to source and pay for … We are proud to work with our partners at Vancouver Airport Authority in support of this important research being conducted by UBC and Providence Health Care.With just three simple steps, we encourage eligible guests to consider … Vancouver International Airport and WestJet are launching a new pilot program which will make COVID-19 testing available to WestJet passengers on select departing flights out of YVR. The study is open to WestJet guests who are residents of British Columbia, between the ages of 19 and 80, and who have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days. The hygiene standards we have now are world-class and backed by industry experts. Only 13 new cases of COVID-19 were identified over the past four days in Nova Scotia. Flights cancelled by WestJet due to COVID-19 and refunded to Travel Bank may now be eligible for a refund to original form of payment. Airlines around the world have started getting rid of middle seats to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Find out more: Government Travel Advice and Advisories World Health Organization IATA – Air transport & communicable diseases Public Health Agency of Canada See all travel advisories. WestJet says it will begin providing refunds to all its passengers whose flights were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most travel insurance policies don’t cover COVID-19, so a number of international airlines have taken things into their own hands. The cuts come after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government ordered travelers to present a recent negative Covid-19 test before being allowed to board flights into … In June, WestJet announced it was laying off 3,333 workers across the country due to the loss of business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a new study, the risk of contracting the virus on a full flight is just 1 in 4,300, and the odds lower to 1 in 7,700 if the airline is adopting the middle seat open policy. As the only Canadian airline currently flying between Calgary and international destinations like Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Phoenix, … The two companies aim to launch the pilot – which will “incorporate current best practices on testing” – this fall, according to a joint statement by YVR CEO Tamara Vrooman and WestJet president … We are proud to work with our partners at Vancouver Airport Authority in support of this important research being conducted by UBC and Providence Health Care. COVID-19 Affected Flights. WestJet is proud to have served Canadians throughout this pandemic and while we have greatly reduced our service, we have maintained flying to 38 domestic cities to ensure that essential products, workers and services were able to get where they needed to be. WestJet passengers travelling to Hawaii will soon have access to a pre-flight COVID-19 testing program, the result of a new partnership between the… On Friday, YVR launched the WestJet-YVR COVID-19 Testing Study together with WestJet, UBC and Providence Health Care. If you're looking to smile, you’ve come to the right place. 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 continue to ensure our aircraft meet the highest safety and health standards and we’ve added COVID-19 insurance coverage so you’ll be taken care of as you travel. By. on. For bookings after August 4, protect your vacation with the Travel Protection Plan. February 3, 2021. • Electrostatic fogging on our aircraft The Jetstar COVID-19 Help Hub is your go-to for everything you need to know about this new travel era, including a handy checklist to help you prepare for your next trip. WestJet Vacation packages booked prior to August 4, 2020 can be cancelled with the value credited as WestJet dollars, valid for 24 months; some restrictions apply. ): o Seat fees canbe refund ed to a WestJet Travel Bank and available for future use for 24 months. What makes an airplane, and the entire journey, safe is the layers of enhanced cleaning, the wearing of masks and the hospital-grade HEPA filters that remove 99.999 per cent of all airborne particles. 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. 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. We continue to adjust our schedules to meet demand and the changing COVID-19 environment. 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. Safety has and continues to be our top priority. • Modifications to inflight service to reduce contact between guests and crew The new restrictions now mandate all travellers need proof of a negative test to fly, versus the original announcment those who could not get a test would be allowed to board but have to quarantine in a … WestJet publicizes the need for a valid test but expects challenges. Our policies for pet travel have not changed with COVID. WestJet will soon start offering customers complimentary COVID-19 cover. If you booked through a Travel Agent (online or directly), Corporate Travel arranger, or another airline, you will need contact them directly to change or cancel your flight or vacation. WestJet Flight 232 left Calgary on Sept. 7 en route to Halifax. Please see our, To use WestJet.com, you agree to the website, More detail and changes to entry requirements, IATA – Air transport & communicable diseases, 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. The study is located at WestJet's domestic check-in area and includes three simple steps: registration and informed consent, testing, and results. WestJet Airlines and Air Canada are set to resume selling middle seats on aircraft, ending a health and safety measure enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no fee to change or cancel your flight. Effective Sunday, January 31 at 12:01 a.m. CALGARY (660 NEWS) – WestJet says eight more of its flights to and from Calgary have been impacted with positive cases of COVID-19. If you still have questions after reading below, please consider contacting us directly. We’ve enhanced cleaning and we’ve added new policies for boarding, face masks and service on board to keep you safe as you travel. Find what you need to travel with WestJet during COVID. Canadian airline WestJet has been upping its profile in a big way in recent years. Please see our supported browsers. ET, WestJet will suspend southbound operations until April 30 to Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cuba, Saint Lucia, Saint Marten, Bahamas, and Bermuda. Editor As a result of the coronavirus COVID-19 situation, refunds to original form of payment are limited at this time. "WestJet is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of air travel through initiatives such as the WestJet-YVR COVID-19 Testing Study. We understand our guests may have questions about their travel plans and steps WestJet is taking to ensure the safety of our guests and crew in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). During this time, we are doing everything we can to accommodate your changing travel needs. We are sorry for any distress this has caused. Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, Japan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet all offer complimentary COVID-19 cover, to complement that existing travel insurance policy. As we continue to manage through the ongoing effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that you may have some questions regarding our reintroduction of the middle seat for sale. COVID-19 testing requirements for entryView all travel advisories. Since its launch Friday morning, 38 people have taken part in the voluntary program so far – which is available to passengers departing on domestic WestJet flights between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., said Tamara Vrooman, YVR’s CEO. Check your destination before you book to ensure that you meet entry requirements and know what to expect on the day you travel. COVID-19 testing program partnerships: WestJet is supporting pre- and post-travel initiatives to increase confidence in the travelling public and help in the fight against COVID-19. We’ve relaxed our change/cancel policies so you can change your mind about existing and future travel with WestJet. Looking for details on WestJet seating? Watch How WestJet is implementing their COVID testing program Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca Just a while after partnering with the state of Hawaii, they’ve launched a new test study at Vancouver International Airport alongside UBC. Faced with a mounting second wave of infections, the government said last week that passengers would need to test negative for the coronavirus before boarding a plane bound for Canada, starting on Jan. 7. If you booked through a Travel Agent (online or directly), Corporate Travel arranger, or another airline, please contact them directly. This is the first study of its kind in Canada to investigate a method of COVID-19 rapid antigen testing to help inform the safest and most efficient way of testing departing passengers at YVR. Read more: All the potential COVID-19 exposure sites in Nova Scotia over the past 14 days . Parties to design and implement a research study to enable real-time testing at the airport. COVID change/cancel policy Change/cancel flights online. Find out more regarding WestJet's latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) operational updates here. Our temporary distancing measures were enacted at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak to provide our guests who had to travel with the peace of mind while our extra hygiene measures were planned and implemented. We continue to provide safe and flexible travel options within Canada and select international destinations. Additionally, WestJet is enacting temporary layoffs, unpaid leaves and reduced hours, cutting the equivalent of 1,000 employees. WestJet passengers in Vancouver may soon be taking COVID-19 tests before takeoff. Check out whether your furry friend can travel with you in the cabin, as checked animals or on their own as cargo in our travelling options for pets. WestJet has publicized the COVID test requirement on its website and social media feeds. Last week, WestJet was proud to be part of the announcement with the Governments of Alberta and Canada on the arrival of government-approved COVID-19 testing at our home and largest hub, Calgary International Airport. WestJet suspends routes, cuts 1,000 jobs in response to COVID-19 testing requirements By Skies Magazine | January 8, 2021 Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 38 seconds. Is it safe to fly? WestJet is not the first to offer free COVID-19 travel insurance. COVID-19 travel insurance coverage is now included in your trip, so you’ll be taken care of as you travel. • Transport Canada-mandated health questionnaire pre-boarding We have been working tirelessly for Canadians to ensure their health and safety and our operations today are no different in that regard. Our temporary distancing measures were enacted at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak to provide our guests who had to travel with the peace of mind while our extra hygiene measures were planned and implemented. Seat distancing was one of the first measures we adopted temporarily before WestJet implemented: • Transport Canada-mandated mask wearing for both employees and guests The browser you are using is not supported. 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. All incoming travellers to Canada must complete ArriveCAN. The cases occurred between Dec. 25 and Dec. 28 when public health took a holiday break from daily reporting. We have also repatriated thousands of Canadians to a safer environment back home in Canada. We'll redirect you to the home page of the country/region site you choose. Sponsored by WestJet and Vancouver Airport Authority, the study is investigating a form of rapid coronavirus testing with the goal of finding safe, … Canada halted most air travel from the U.K., where a mutated strain of COVID−19 had been discovered, on Dec. 20. The flights were between Nov. 26-28 with four flights between Calgary and Edmonton and two from Phoenix. The study, which is still being designed, will test and pilot real-time COVID-19 testing for passengers at the airport. Passengers in rows 1-4, seats A, B, D, and F are being asked to continue to self-isolate and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. A rapid COVID-19 testing pilot launched at Vancouver International Airport on Friday morning.. Vancouver Airport Authority and WestJet have selected the University of British Columbia (UBC) as the research partner for a COVID-19 rapid testing pilot … WestJet added the seat backs also provide protection for passengers. This applies to all WestJet air-only, Group claim bookings and contracted/private fare bookings. WestJet said it had to deny boarding to 32 passengers on its six international flights into Canada on Thursday. During westjet seating covid time, we are always here for our guests and WestJetters use for months. Figuring out air travel through initiatives such as the WestJet-YVR COVID-19 testing Study ways we re... 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