WestJet has launched a new Dreamliner service between Calgary and London Gatwick with the departure of WS1.

The sold-out flight was a first for WestJet’s new 787-9 Dreamliner.

The return flight, WS2 departs London at 13:00.

“Today is a fantastic day for WestJet as we take this important step in our journey to become a full-service global network airline,” said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet chief commercial officer.

“The London market has quickly become an important one for us with service from six cities across Canada.

“It is no accident that the first transatlantic flight on the Dreamliner is to our largest international market, from our largest hub and home in Calgary.”

Tail 901, WestJet’s first Dreamliner, named Clive Beddoe, also carried the founder and chairman himself.

“Today is an emotional experience that I am delighted to share with my family, 320 WestJet guests and our fantastic flight crew,” said Beddoe.

“We are pleased to see significant demand for our business and premium cabins as we provide travellers with conveniently-timed flights along with our signature brand of Canadian care.”

On May 17th, WestJet will launch its inaugural direct Dreamliner flight between Calgary to Paris with its final transatlantic flight between Calgary and Dublin on June 1st.

WestJet’s Dreamliners carry 320 guests in a three-class cabin configuration including the airline’s newly revealed business cabin featuring 16 private pods with lie-flat seats, an upscale Premium cabin and an updated economy cabin.

“The three years since WestJet’s inaugural flight from Gatwick have been a real success story, with thousands of business and leisure passengers enjoying the vital low-cost connections between the UK and Canada that these services have provided,” said Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport chief commercial officer.

“WestJet’s presence at Gatwick continues to grow, and it’s very exciting for us to be supporting the airline as it moves into this important new era.

“The launch of the 787 Dreamliner will offer around 24,000 more Gatwick-Calgary seats per year on the same number of aircraft, and its highly fuel-efficient engines will also help us in our ongoing mission to become the UK’s most sustainable airport.”