Photo: WestJet’s president and CEO Gregg Saretsky with the Honourable Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau at WestJet's 20th anniversary celebration; photo courtesy of WestJet.

It’s been 20 years since WestJet launched its first flight.

"In just 20 years, WestJet has established itself as a great Canadian success story," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "From humble beginnings, we have grown to become an international airline and a strong contributor to the growth of Calgary, the province and the country. I would like to thank our nearly 12,000 WestJetters for their incredible dedication to delivering a remarkable guest experience through their caring, people-driven service, and our guests for their 20 years of loyalty and support."

The airline’s anniversary celebration includes a seat sale for passengers. By booking during the 20th Birthday Sale, passengers can enjoy savings on flights and vacation packages to destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean. To qualify, travel must be booked by March 7, 2016, for travel between April 1 and June 28, 2016.

WestJet guests travelling today might also see some employees wearing vintage uniform pieces from the last 20 years.

In tandem with its birthday celelbration, WestJet is unveiling a new logo. Intended to "denote WestJet’s proud Canadian heritage,” the new logo features a blue and teal maple leaf. First seen on select 767-300 aircraft last year, the logo will appear on all new aircraft delivered in 2016. It will also be featured on all the company’s promotional materials, including website, airport signage and boarding passes.

WestJet launched on Feb. 29, 1996, with 220 employees. The company’s aircraft served Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg. Today, the airline employs nearly 12,000 “WestJetters,” operates more than 140 aircraft and serves 102 destinations in more than 20 countries.

"We launched WestJet to make a difference in the lives of Canadians," said Clive Beddoe, co-founder of WestJet and Chair of the Board of the Directors. "We wanted to do things differently right from the beginning, lowering fares, changing rules that didn't make sense and making it possible for more people than ever before to travel by air. Over the past 20 years, we've helped to connect families, fulfilled vacation dreams and made business travel more affordable so companies could grow and prosper. WestJet's success is a testament to our WestJetters' hard work and caring commitment and I thank them for this. It's been a wonderful 20 years, and we look forward to many more." 

Follow @MonicaPoling