Cardiff: WestJet Transatlantic News & Discussions

[MrFenner]

Posts on Facebook with people comparing prices with Heathrow through Skyscanner , are already saying it’s too expensive to fly from Cardiff compared to Heathrow . Just can’t win hopefully prices will be more competitive, just have too Waite and see.

Ah! One must really try to embrace the negative keyboard warrior naysayers…

🙄

 

[Tinkerman]

Personally, I think the fares WestJet have came to market with are competitive (and as per my earlier post are comparable with GLA and EDI, the only other regional departure points in the UK). As FLY puts above, you’ve got to consider a lot more than purely the flight cost when looking at this, and factor it all in - Quoting figures purely from flight only is the incorrect way of doing it.

I’ve also seen comparisons being made to LHR flights without baggage, to CWL flights with baggage, which is also (and definitely more) incorrect.

I’ve looked at other WestJet flights and those 15 or so seats always appear blocked on the seatmap, so I have no idea where they’ve got those figures from. They must have got it from somewhere as they aren’t exactly going to take them out of nowhere and quote random numbers !

 

[Jerry]

Ah! One must really try to embrace the negative keyboard warrior naysayers…

🙄

Seems to be a lot of them around!😆

Personally, I think the fares WestJet have came to market with are competitive (and as per my earlier post are comparable with GLA and EDI, the only other regional departure points in the UK). As FLY puts above, you’ve got to consider a lot more than purely the flight cost when looking at this, and factor it all in - Quoting figures purely from flight only is the incorrect way of doing it.

I’ve also seen comparisons being made to LHR flights without baggage, to CWL flights with baggage, which is also (and definitely more) incorrect.

I’ve looked at other WestJet flights and those 15 or so seats always appear blocked on the seatmap, so I have no idea where they’ve got those figures from. They must have got it from somewhere as they aren’t exactly going to take them out of nowhere and quote random numbers !

Just read the NationCymru article about the route and it doesn't mention anything about being restricted. So where WalesOnline got it from idk.

 

[Jerry]

Although this is a flight from Gatwick to Halifax it does give an idea of WestJets economy product

 

[Aviador]

Posts on Facebook with people comparing prices with Heathrow through Skyscanner , are already saying it’s too expensive to fly from Cardiff compared to Heathrow . Just can’t win hopefully prices will be more competitive, just have too Waite and see.

Sure if they want to travel the 2-3 hours to Heathrow, let them. There is an ever growing number of people who will choose flying from their local airport at whatever cost. The extra travelling time both ways to and from Heathrow make flying to Canada from there less desirable.

Will you be booking onto it @Jerry

 

[Jerry]

Sure if they want to travel the 2-3 hours to Heathrow, let them. There is an ever growing number of people who will choose flying from their local airport at whatever cost. The extra travelling time both ways to and from Heathrow make flying to Canada from there less desirable.

Will you be booking onto it @Jerry

This is just a comparison of basic fares to Toronto date 23/5/26-31/5/26
WestJet from Cardiff Economy £566 Premium £1609
Air Canada from Heathrow Economy £518 Premium £1748 (up to 4 daily flights)
British Airways from Heathrow Economy £685 Premium £1783 (up to 2 daily flights)
Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow Economy £518 Premium £1118 (1 daily flight)

Obviously this is just a snapshot prices will vary and these are the basic fares from each airlines website but hopefully it suggests the route can be competitive with the giant down the road. I think if people are really budget conscience they'll be willing to travel to not just Heathrow but Gatwick as well but hopefully enough will want a more convenient option. You can also earn points on the next up fare class if a member of Delta SkyMiles, KLM/AirFrance Flying Blue and Qantas miles programme.

Will you be booking onto it @Jerry

Well if I can get the time off I'm hoping to fly on the inaugural flight but if not that one I'll look to book probably in June. The inaugural will be a few weeks after I get back from Australia and New Zealand but I regret not flying Qatar Airways so I don't want to miss this opportunity.

 

[MrFenner]

Personally, I think the fares WestJet have came to market with are competitive (and as per my earlier post are comparable with GLA and EDI, the only other regional departure points in the UK). As FLY puts above, you’ve got to consider a lot more than purely the flight cost when looking at this, and factor it all in - Quoting figures purely from flight only is the incorrect way of doing it.

I’ve also seen comparisons being made to LHR flights without baggage, to CWL flights with baggage, which is also (and definitely more) incorrect.

I’ve looked at other WestJet flights and those 15 or so seats always appear blocked on the seatmap, so I have no idea where they’ve got those figures from. They must have got it from somewhere as they aren’t exactly going to take them out of nowhere and quote random numbers !

Don’t forget about crew rest - often, not just on a Max, rows are blocked off to allow sufficient crew rest during longer flights as there are no official crew rest areas on board such aircraft.

 

[Jerry]

Westjet website has a destination guide which now includes Cardiff. Interestingly it's down as Cardiff, Wales. Edinburgh, Glasgow and London doesn't have the country part next to them.
The overview has 5 experiences not to miss
1.Cardiff Castle historical journey
2.Cardiff Bay waterfront discovery
3.Rugby culture at Principality Stadium
4.Welsh language and cultural exploration
5.Brecon Beacons day trip

Cardiff, Wales

www.westjet.com

 

[Jerry]

I've been doing a bit of research for a trip to fly the new WestJet route from Cardiff and noticed that I can book the flight with KLM but only if I use Flying Blue Miles. Option doesn't come up if booking using cash. The fare is a one way fare.
Maybe of interest to anyone with Flying Blue Miles.

 

[Jerry]

 

[Jerry]

Looks like the Toronto route was advertised at the rugby.

Great day at the rugby today, and great to see Cardiff Airport promoting their new route to Toronto. As an Aviation Management student at Cardiff Met, I’m looking forward to visiting the airport more… | George Durant

Great day at the rugby today, and great to see Cardiff Airport promoting their new route to Toronto. As an Aviation Management student at Cardiff Met, I’m looking forward to visiting the airport more often as part of my course — and hopefully flying out of there in the near future.

www.linkedin.com

 

[Samdorob]

Looks like the Toronto route was advertised at the rugby

I’ve seen a fair bit of online advertising for it too.

 

[Jerry]

I’ve seen a fair bit of online advertising for it too.

Good!

 

[Jerry]

Booked the Toronto flight for the beginning of September. Was hoping to fly on the inaugural flight in May but unfortunately couldn't get the time off from work so decided to do it as part of a trip to Canada in September. Booked one way cost £348 and that included seat selection and checked bag. Looked at prices from Heathrow for the same date with Virgin and BA and WestJet were cheaper. Overall the prices look pretty good including during the World Cup period.

 

[geoff]

Enjoy yourself Jerry, any idea how bookings are going,

 

[Jerry]

Enjoy yourself Jerry, any idea how bookings are going,

Honestly no idea. Prices look ok in May and June but do get more expensive in July and August. Still quite away to go plus many who have booked may not have selected any seats so may not be possible to see any indicators from there yet.

Just seen a post on Facebook showing a big advertisement for the route in the departures lounge. Where the old WH Smith was apparently. And the airport is plugging it online.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2011864254974976192

 

[Jerry]

Good to see that Cardiff are out in Canada promoting WestJet Toronto route. I also hope they're also promoting KLM though i can understand why WestJet would be the priority.

#visitwales #cardiff #walestravel #traveltrade #tourismindustry #travelagents #aviationnews #torontotocardiff #canadatravel #welshtourism | Wayne Moye

Just wrapped up a fantastic day visiting travel agents across Vancouver âœˆï¸ to promote the new Toronto–Cardiff route and share everything Wales has to offer ðŸ™ï¸ðŸ‰. It was inspiring to see how engaged and enthusiastic the agents were—many were excited to learn just how much Cardiff...

www.linkedin.com

 

[Jerry]

4 months to go until we see Westjet and Toronto on the departure board

https://twitter.com/x/status/2014587676712730815

 

[Jerry]

100 days now until we see the launch of Toronto

https://twitter.com/x/status/2022017157513539911

 

[Jerry]

"Canadian low cost carrier WestJet, from May 23, will launch a new four-times-weekly service from the airport to Toronto Pearson - the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It connects to all major Canadian cities, as well as the US cities of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Dallas. For its inaugural 2026 summer season the route has released 21,320 seats for sale. Both Cardiff Airport and WestJet said they are "pleased with the sales performance to date."

Cardiff Airport passenger numbers are on the rise

Its ability to accelerate passenger numbers will hinge on the outcome of legal challenge by Bristol Airport over Welsh Government £205m subsidy support plans

www.business-live.co.uk

Also there's this promo article about the Toronto route that's also been featured in NationCymru

Cardiff Airport - Why Toronto Should Be Your Top Travel Pick for 2026

<p>Fly from Cardiff Airport to Toronto and beyond Toronto has always had the sparkle of a great global city, with […]</p>

cardiff-airport.com