SEK TRAVELS

WestJet launches a new flight to the Welsh capital.

It has been nearly 20 years since North America and Wales were connected by a direct flight. In 2008, Canada bid farewell to this connection when its carrier, ZOOM Airlines, filed for bankruptcy. Ever since, those who have wanted to come “feel the hwyl” in Wales have had to endure long and often strenuous connections from other locales. However, with WestJet’s new flight, this is all about to change. 

Starting on the 23^rd May 2026, WestJet will begin a new route across the Atlantic, connecting Toronto Pearson International Airport with Cardiff International Airport.

“We’re incredibly proud that WestJet has chosen Cardiff Airport as a new UK destination,” Jon Bridge, Chief Executive Officer at Cardiff Airport, said in a released statement. “We look forward to building a long-term partnership that delivers lasting benefits for both nations.”

Flying 4 days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), the journey to Cardiff is expected to take just over 7 hrs, landing in the Welsh capital mid-morning. The return flight back to Toronto leaves at 11:35 and will take under 8 hrs. Those eager to try a slice of Wales’ signature hospitality can expect to pay £167 for a typical one-way fare, according to Google Flights search.

WestJet’s latest trans-Atlantic route to Cardiff shows the company’s growing investment in connections between the UK and Canada, with this flight adding to the several they run out of different cities across Great Britain. Their decision to make Cardiff their next UK base is backed by positive increases in the level of international tourists choosing to come and experience this storied nation. Over the past two years, Wales has seen a 10% increase in international visitors.

These positive signals are also backed by Chris White-DeVries, WestJet’s Senior Airport Affairs Manager, who highlighted that Cardiff is a “vibrant capital with a proud and rich history.”. He went on to mention the excitement of opening Wales to Canada and North America as a whole, stating that the flights would make it easier for them to “discover Wales’ stunning coastlines and culture”.

From the wilds of the Vale’s Silurian coast to castles around every corner, Wales is a stunning location, and those across the Atlantic will have direct access thanks to WestJet’s new flight.