Day-one WestJetters, including the original captain, first officer, cabin crew and flight dispatch, helped the airline celebrate its 25th anniversary on March 1, by recreating the airline’s first flight between Calgary and Vancouver in 1996.

The scheduled flight, WS129, had 140 guests on board and each guest received a gift of flight voucher to be donated to a charity of their choice. The gift of flight is valid for one roundtrip flight for two anywhere WestJet flies and is to be used by non-profit and charity organizations to support their fundraising initiatives.

“A quarter century ago, WestJet provided Canadians with a choice in airlines; since that time, we have invested across the country to bring more options and competitive fares to millions of Canadians who couldn’t afford the price of air travel prior,” said WestJet President and CEO Ed Sims. “We are thankful to the thousands of WestJetters who have dedicated themselves to building our airline and to the more than 300 million guests who have chosen to fly with us. A lot has changed, but care remains at the heart of what we do.”

WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 23 countries, pre-pandemic.

The airline says its arrival helped cut airfare almost in half for many communities and “is the reason why 50 percent more Canadians have been able to take a flight.”

Over the years, the airline has also donated more than 200,000 flights to charitable organizations across its network and WestJetters have volunteered more than 575,000 hours to local community organizations through the WestJetters Caring for the Community program.

Watch the airline’s anniversary video