WestJet is gearing up for rapid international expansion as they announced today that they have signed a definitive purchase agreement with The Boeing Company for up to 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This new aircraft, with a range of more than 14,000 kilometres, opens up new destinations to WestJet and its customers, including Asia and South America, as well as allowing it to expand its European service.

"This order represents an exciting new chapter in WestJet's history," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet president and CEO. "We have carefully executed on our strategic plan, first launching WestJet Encore to connect smaller communities across Canada to our growing network followed by our successful venture into wide-body flying to Hawaii and London Gatwick. Now, with the most sophisticated commercial airliner available, we turn our attention to further growing our international presence and introducing even more travellers to our award-winning guest experience."

The agreement includes commitments for 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft to be delivered between the first quarter of 2019 and December 2021, with options for an additional 10 aircraft to be delivered between 2020 and 2024. The airline also announced it has selected General Electric's GEnx-1B engine for the 787. WestJet will also defer deliveries of a portion of their order for the Boeing 737 MAX, converting 15 firm orders that were to be delivered between 2019 and 2021 to options available between 2022 and 2024.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is a state-of-the-art aircraft that is 20 per cent more fuel efficient than the Boeing 767 aircraft.

"We welcome WestJet to the Dreamliner family and look forward to the new destinations they will serve," said Ray Conner, vice chairman of The Boeing Company. "WestJet, for its entire 21-year history, has been a loyal all-Boeing jet customer and we're excited to see them expand their fleet with the 787."

"Our ability to compete globally and deliver our plan comes from the hard work and dedication of our more than 12,000 WestJetters and I am excited for what this news represents for them," continued Saretsky. "They are truly representative of our Canadian values of warm hospitality and openness and on behalf of them, we now turn our attention to welcoming the Dreamliner to the WestJet family."

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