Air Transat and WestJet are both Canadian airlines, but they are built differently. Air Transat is a Montreal-based leisure airline focused on holiday and transatlantic routes, while WestJet is Canada's second-largest airline, with its largest hub in Calgary. Travellers compare them on flights between Canada and sun or leisure destinations.
Quick verdict
Air Transat suits leisure travellers flying from Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa or Québec City to Europe, the Caribbean or Mexico, especially if they want a dedicated Club Class. WestJet suits travellers who want the larger operator or departures from Western Canada via Calgary. Fares on both vary by tier, so compare what each fare includes, particularly checked baggage, before comparing prices.
Choose Air Transat if…
- You are flying from Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa or Québec City to Europe, Morocco, the Caribbean or Mexico.
- You want a Club Class option with gourmet meals, including on the A321neo LR.
- You are happy to add the Option Plus bundle for a 23 kg bag, seat selection and priority services.
Choose WestJet if…
- You are starting from Western Canada or connecting through Calgary, WestJet's largest hub.
- You want the bigger operator: 194 aircraft including regional Q400 flights, and 22.6 million passengers carried in 2025.
- You want a mainline fleet of Boeing 737s plus 787-9s rather than an Airbus-only fleet.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Air Transat is based in Montreal, with Montréal–Trudeau and Toronto–Pearson as main hubs and Ottawa and Québec City as focus cities. It serves 66 destinations in about 35 countries, mostly leisure routes to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America and the US. WestJet is the main airline of Western Canada, and Calgary is its largest hub.
Fleet and size
WestJet's mainline fleet was 159 Boeing aircraft in May 2026: 737-700s, 737-800s, 737 MAX 8s and seven 787-9s. Another 35 Q400s fly for WestJet Encore, making 194 in total. Air Transat is smaller, with 42 Airbus aircraft in April 2026: A321 variants and A330s. Four A321XLRs are on order for late 2027 delivery. Engine problems on its A321LR fleet caused groundings and wet-leasing from late 2023.
Cabins and on-board product
Air Transat sells Economy in several fare tiers and Club Class, which includes gourmet meals. A Business Traveller review of the A321neo LR mentions a 13.3-inch seatback screen in Club Class. WestJet's cabin layout, seat pitch, meals and entertainment vary by aircraft type and fare, so check its cabin pages for the aircraft on your route.
Baggage and fares
On both airlines, what you get depends on the fare. On Air Transat, the lowest fares to the South, the US and within Canada may include only a personal item. Option Plus adds one 23 kg checked bag, seat selection and priority services. WestJet baggage allowances and change fees also depend on the fare bought, so check the rules on its website before you pay.
Lounges and loyalty
Air Transat has no lounges of its own, but sells paid access to selected partner lounges in Canada, such as the Air France lounge in Montreal. It has no alliance. A loyalty programme with Desjardins and Visa was announced in January 2026 for the second half of 2026, so check its site for launch status. WestJet's lounge access also depends on the fare, and the airline's website lists current options.
Frequently asked questions
Is Air Transat better than WestJet?
It depends on the trip. Air Transat focuses on leisure routes from Montreal and Toronto to Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico, and has a Club Class. WestJet is larger, with a bigger fleet and a Calgary hub.
Does Air Transat include checked baggage?
Not always. Allowances depend on fare and route, and the lowest fares to the South, the US and within Canada may include only a personal item. The Option Plus bundle adds one 23 kg checked bag.
Which airline has the bigger fleet?
WestJet. It had 159 mainline aircraft plus 35 WestJet Encore Q400s in May 2026, against 42 aircraft for Air Transat in April 2026.
About Air Transat Read more
Overview
Air Transat is a Canadian airline headquartered in Montreal. It was founded in December 1986 and began operating on 14 November 1987. It is owned and operated by Transat A.T. Inc. and is not a member of an alliance. Wikipedia reports 2025 revenue of CAN$3.398 billion and about 5,500 employees in 2026.
Network and hubs
The main hubs are Montréal–Trudeau and Toronto–Pearson, with Ottawa and Québec City as focus cities. According to Wikipedia, it serves 66 destinations in about 35 countries, mainly leisure routes between Canada and Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America and the United States, plus some domestic services.
Fleet
Wikipedia lists 42 aircraft registered with Transport Canada as of 11 April 2026. They are Airbus A321 variants (including A321neo LR) and A330s, with 13 A330-200s and 2 A330-300s. Four A321XLR aircraft are on order, with first delivery expected in late 2027. Engine problems on the Pratt & Whitney GTF powering its A321LR fleet led to groundings and wet-leasing from late 2023. Details are on the airline's fleet page.
On board
- Cabins: Economy and Club Class.
- Meals: included on many fares and routes, but not all; Club Class includes gourmet meals, according to Kayak.
- Entertainment: a Business Traveller review of A321neo LR Club Class mentions a 13.3-inch screen.
Good to know
- Baggage: allowances depend on fare and route. Lowest fares on flights to the South, the United States and within Canada may include only a personal item (Kayak). Check the fare before booking.
- Extras: Option Plus bundles one 23 kg checked bag, seat selection and priority airport services.
- Lounges: Air Transat has no lounges of its own but offers paid access to selected partner lounges in Canada (airline lounge page).
- Loyalty: a programme with Desjardins and Visa was announced in January 2026 for the second half of 2026. Check the airline's site for launch status.
- Safety: in 2001, Flight 236 glided to the Azores after a fuel leak, and all 306 on board survived.
About WestJet Read more
Overview
WestJet is a Canadian airline that began flying in 1996 with three Boeing 737-200s. According to Simple Flying, it is Canada's second-largest airline and carried around 22.6 million passengers on more than 215,000 flights in 2025. Alliance membership, ownership details and other corporate facts have not been verified for this profile; check the airline's official website for current information.
Network and hubs
Its largest hub is Calgary International Airport (YYC). As its name suggests, it serves as the primary airline for Western Canada, according to the same source. Detailed route information has not been verified here.
Fleet
As of May 2026, WestJet's mainline fleet numbered 159 aircraft, all Boeing: 35 Boeing 737-700s, 54 737-800s, 63 737 MAX 8s and 7 Boeing 787-9s. The average age of the mainline fleet was 11.0 years. The regional subsidiary WestJet Encore operates 35 De Havilland Q400s, which brings the combined fleet to 194 aircraft (Simple Flying, 2026). Fleet numbers change as aircraft are delivered and retired.
On board
Cabin layouts, seat pitch, meals, entertainment and Wi-Fi vary by aircraft type and fare. They were not confirmed from sources for this profile, so travellers should check the airline's official cabin pages before booking.
Good to know
- Baggage allowances, change fees and lounge access depend on the fare bought. Check the current rules on the WestJet website before travelling.
- No published on-time performance figure has been verified for this profile.
Sources (7)
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