The Canadian carrier WestJet has resumed seasonal nonstop service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and San Diego International Airport (SAN). This is WestJet’s second flight to the southern city in California, alongside its twice-weekly service from Calgary. Let’s investigate further.

WestJet’s route

On Friday, the San Diego International Airport authorities announced WestJet had resumed its seasonal nonstop flight from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is the first time in two years WestJet has operated this route following a temporary suspension due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nonstop flights operate two times weekly on Thursdays and Sundays through September.

Kimberly Becker, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority President and CEO said,

“I welcome back the seasonal nonstop flights to Vancouver on WestJet. This is an important route as it allows travelers to visit western Canada but also connect to other North American routes across Canada. We appreciate WestJet resuming service to Vancouver.”

In September last year, WestJet resumed service between San Diego and Calgary, following a hiatus due to the pandemic crisis.

The airline is deploying its Boeing 737-800 fleet for both routes to San Diego. WestJet has 37 jetliners of this model.

A WestJet aircraft flying
Photo: Getty Images

San Diego’s international connectivity

According to data provided by Cirium, San Diego currently has 53 weekly international flights.

The airport has international services from Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Southwest, Swoop, and WestJet.

Air Canada operates the largest number of international flights to San Diego, serving twice-daily a flight from Vancouver and one daily from Toronto.

In March, Lufthansa was one of the latest operators to begin service to San Diego, launching a non-stop flight from Munich onboard its Airbus A350-900.

According to data released by the airport authorities, San Diego has had 154,180 international passengers so far in 2022. Compared to 2021, it has increased its number of passengers by 324.5%. Nonetheless, compared to 2019, the airport is still 53.2% below its pre-pandemic numbers.

San Diego airport new T1 2
San Diego is currently building a new Terminal. We wrote about it here. Photo: San Diego International Airport.

San Diego’s performance in 2022

Overall, San Diego has had 6.05 million travelers in 2022, still 21.3% below pre-pandemic traffic levels.

In terms of cargo, the airport has had 45,651.9 tons both of enplaned and deplaned cargo. San Diego has recovered around 86% of its pre-pandemic freighter levels.

The airport authorities expect to have a stronger recovery in the coming months. Four airlines will open five new routes between May and August. These are:

  1. Allegiant - Sioux Falls. Beginning the service on May 19, 2022, two flights per week on this summer seasonal route.
  2. Air Canada - Montreal. The first arrival is scheduled for today, May 20, and the first departure for tomorrow. Two to three weekly flights.
  3. Spirit - Oakland. Beginning on May 25.
  4. Delta - Boston. Starting on July 11.
  5. Allegiant - Provo. Beginning on August 18.

Additionally, Southwest plans to resume two additional routes in the coming months. The carrier will resume its flight to El Paso, Texas, on June 5 and Portland on September 11.

By adding these flights, San Diego expects to increase their capacity closing in on the levels it had in 2019.

By August 2022, the airport expects to have a capacity only 3% below 2019 levels (in comparison, there’s a 13.3% decrease in May).

Are you excited about WestJet’s route to San Diego? Let us know in the comments below.