WestJet drops 10 US routes in 2026 as fuel costs and demand weigh

WestJet has ended ten routes to the United States during 2026, according to Simple Flying, which cites data from the analytics firm Cirium. Passengers in Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto and Winnipeg are affected, with Edmonton losing the most nonstop links. Simple Flying's report was published on 13 October 2026.

Why the routes were cut

Simple Flying says WestJet has been re-evaluating demand for travel to the US. The outlet says the airline has suggested the weaker demand stems from geopolitical tension and a tit-for-tat trade war, as well as rising jet fuel costs.

Which routes have gone

According to Simple Flying, five routes from Edmonton have been cut this year:

• Nashville (ended January)
• Seattle (April)
• San Francisco (April)
• Atlanta (June)
• Chicago O'Hare (October)

Three Vancouver routes were also dropped: Lihue in Hawaii and Boston (both April) and Nashville (May). Toronto lost its Los Angeles service in April, and Winnipeg lost Nashville in May. The report notes that Winnipeg is left with five US destinations: Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis year-round, plus seasonal links to Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas.

The report says the Nashville and Chicago services from Edmonton were part of a push to build tourism and business links, in partnership with Delta Air Lines, and lasted only one season each.

Who still flies the routes

Simple Flying reports that several city pairs keep some service from other carriers:

• Edmonton to Seattle: Alaska Airlines is the sole year-round operator.
• Edmonton to San Francisco: seasonal flights by Air Canada.
• Edmonton to Chicago: seasonal flights by United Airlines.
• Vancouver to Boston: seasonal flights by JetBlue.
• Vancouver to Nashville: seasonal Air Canada flights.
• Toronto to Los Angeles: year-round Air Canada and Porter Airlines flights.

Edmonton to Atlanta, Edmonton to Nashville, Vancouver to Lihue and Winnipeg to Nashville are left unserved, according to the report.

What this means for travellers

Anyone holding a WestJet booking on these routes should check their reservation and confirm the status directly with the airline. The source does not describe WestJet's rebooking or refund arrangements, so those details are not yet known.

• On Edmonton to Seattle, Toronto to Los Angeles and, seasonally, several other routes, nonstop alternatives exist with other airlines.
• On Edmonton to Atlanta and Nashville, Vancouver to Lihue and Winnipeg to Nashville, no nonstop flight is offered, so connecting itineraries are the likely option.
• Simple Flying notes that departures from Canada on the affected routes included US Customs and Border Preclearance, so travellers cleared US formalities before boarding. Connecting itineraries from Canada may differ.

Readers weighing alternatives can compare carriers in our Air Canada vs WestJet guide.

Simple Flying also links to an earlier report on 27 US routes cut by WestJet; the details of that report were not included in the material reviewed here.

Sources: Simple Flying