Airline Launches Same-Plane Service From Toronto To Dublin

WestJet has marked a key milestone in its 18-year history with the launch of its first scheduled transatlantic service between Toronto and Dublin, Ireland, with a brief stop in St. John's, Newfoundland.

"It's very exciting to think that we are about to take our guests across the Atlantic Ocean for the very first time," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "This represents a very significant strategic step in the growth of WestJet. As we've expanded our reach, grown our fleet and added new products to broaden our appeal to different travel segments, it's always been a dream of many WestJetters to one day be able to fly our guests to Europe."

Announced in November 2013, WestJet offered introductory fares between Toronto and Dublin starting from $199 including taxes, fees and surcharges on all flights in both directions from June 15 to October 5, 2014 - fares which sold out within the first 24 hours. Today, the service is heavily booked and well ahead of projections, recently prompting a three-week extension to October 25, 2014.

"With one in five Newfoundlanders able to trace their ancestry to Ireland, there is a great deal of travel between the two coasts and we are very pleased to have made it more affordable for so many families and friends to be together this summer, said said Gregg Saretsky. 'This service is about bringing our low fares and remarkable, people-driven guest experience to new routes and new markets including, for the first time, Europe."

"Tourism Ireland warmly welcomes the launch of WestJet's service from Toronto, via St John's, Newfoundland, to Dublin," said Alison Metcalfe, Executive Vice President, United States and Canada Tourism Ireland. "The island of Ireland has a wealth of experiences for Canadians to enjoy on a relaxing vacation - from cities bustling with vibrant culture and rich history to spectacularly scenic coastlines and mountain regions. Canada is one of our top 10 markets and is a market that is set to develop further in the years ahead. We are working with WestJet to maximize the promotion of this welcome new service."

(Image from file)

FMI: www.westjet.com