WestJet Expands Winter Americas Network with Direct Flights to Brazil, Mérida, Belize, and Costa Rica in 2026
For Prairie travelers accustomed to multi-stop layovers just to escape sub-zero blizzards, Canadian carrier WestJet is launching direct long-haul corridors connecting Calgary to São Paulo and opening Western Canada's only nonstop route to Yucatán's colonial capital of Mérida. Operating up to 1,252 peak weekly flights across 88 nonstop routes, the airline's winter 2026–2027 schedule marks its largest Latin American and Caribbean expansion in corporate history.
Spanning 50 warm-weather destinations across 15 Canadian origin cities, the comprehensive network overhaul delivers a 12% year-on-year surge in regional capacity. Prairie hubs are the primary beneficiaries: Saskatoon sees a massive 77% leap in sun-destination seating, while Regina climbs 64%, Edmonton expands by 34%, Winnipeg rises 26%, and Calgary grows by 18%. From the pristine coral atolls of Belize to the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste, Canadian snowbirds can now access the Americas with significantly fewer connection hurdles.
Inside the Six Flagship Winter Corridors
The centerpiece of WestJet winter expansion is its milestone intercontinental connection between Calgary and São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), launching outbound on 8 November 2026 and returning on 9 November. Operating three times weekly aboard Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on a 14-hour flight path, the route represents WestJet's 100th nonstop destination from Calgary. Through a reciprocal partnership with LATAM Airlines, arriving travelers can seamlessly connect onward to more than 60 destinations across Brazil and South America.
In Mexico, Western Canadians gain exclusive access to the culinary and architectural heart of the Yucatán Peninsula with the debut of weekly Calgary to Mérida flights on 17 December 2026. This complements year-round route extensions connecting Calgary to Mexico City and Mazatlán, alongside expanded frequencies to Cancún and Los Cabos.
Further east, Winnipeg secures two brand-new nonstop international sun routes: a weekly service to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic starting 28 November 2026, and a weekly flight to Belize City launching 14 December 2026. Concurrently, Regina gains its first-ever direct nonstop link to San José del Cabo on 14 December, while Ottawa receives weekly direct access to Liberia, Costa Rica starting 20 December to satisfy Canadian demand across the Pacific coast.
What Makes These New Winter Gateways Exceptional
The expanded network connects cold-weather travelers directly to biologically and culturally distinct regions of the Western Hemisphere.
Mérida, the capital of Yucatán celebrated by Visit Mexico, offers a sophisticated blend of 16th-century colonial limestone architecture along Paseo de Montejo, world-class Yucatecan cuisine (such as slow-roasted cochinita pibil and lime soup), and effortless road access to the ancient Maya pyramids of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá.
In Central America, direct flights into Belize City unlock the Belize Barrier Reef reserve system, where world-class marine sanctuaries like the Great Blue Hole and Hol Chan Marine Reserve offer pristine scuba diving. In Costa Rica, landing at Guanacaste Airport in Liberia—where Canadian passenger traffic grew 28% in the first half of 2026—puts travelers within an hour of the surf breaks of Tamarindo and the volcanic hot springs of Rincón de la Vieja, supported by the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT).
| Canadian Origin | Capacity Growth | Key Network Additions |
|---|---|---|
| Saskatoon (YXE) | +77% YoY Increase | Added Puerto Vallarta and Cancún flight banks |
| Regina (YQR) | +64% YoY Increase | First-ever direct nonstop to Los Cabos (14 Dec) |
| Edmonton (YEG) | +34% YoY Increase | 2x weekly frequencies to Los Cabos and Montego Bay |
| Winnipeg (YWG) | +26% YoY Increase | New Punta Cana (28 Nov) and Belize City (14 Dec) |
| Calgary (YYC) | +18% YoY Increase | São Paulo Dreamliner (8 Nov) and Mérida direct (17 Dec) |
Visitor Insider Tips: Maximizing WestJet's Americas Routes
- Connect to South America via the Calgary Dreamliner Hub: When booking the 14-hour flight from Calgary to São Paulo, utilize WestJet's lie-flat business cabin or premium economy seating on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Through-check your luggage directly onto connecting LATAM domestic flights to Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, or Florianópolis.
- Base in Mérida for Authentic Maya Culture: Rather than staying in crowded all-inclusive beach strips, base yourself in Mérida's historic Santa Ana or Santiago neighborhoods. Rent a car to explore the yellow convent town of Izamal and swim in sacred freshwater cenotes like X'batun and Dzombakal.
- Catch Water Taxis from Belize City to Caye Caulker: Upon arriving at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City, take a 20-minute taxi to the water taxi terminal. Board a high-speed boat to Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye (San Pedro) to settle into the car-free, barefoot island lifestyle.
- Pre-Book Costa Rican 4x4 Rentals in Advance: When flying into Liberia for Guanacaste beach exploration, reserve a high-clearance four-wheel-drive SUV months ahead. Coastal river crossings and gravel roads leading to secluded beaches like Playa San Juanillo require all-terrain capability.
- Take Advantage of Winnipeg's Year-Round Cancún Option: For Manitoba travelers seeking flexible durations beyond standard seven-day packages, utilize WestJet's newly year-round Winnipeg to Cancún route to structure custom ten-day or two-week stays along the Riviera Maya.
Cultural and Environmental Context
Expanding direct point-to-point flights from regional Canadian cities reduces the environmental footprint of long-haul vacations by eliminating fuel-intensive multi-leg layovers in secondary hub airports. Furthermore, deploying fuel-efficient Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on long-haul routes to South America reduces carbon emissions per seat-kilometer compared to older twin-engine airframes.
From a cultural perspective, direct links between Western Canada and non-traditional destinations like Mérida and Guanacaste encourage decentralized tourism spending. Traveling directly into regional commercial centers funnels critical economic support to local artisans, family-run cantinas, and community-led conservation projects that protect endangered dry tropical forests and marine ecosystems.
FAQ: Flying WestJet Americas Winter 2026–2027
When does WestJet's Calgary to São Paulo route begin?
The outbound service launches on 8 November 2026, operating three times weekly on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
What are the new nonstop routes departing from Winnipeg?
Winnipeg gains new weekly nonstop winter services to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (28 November 2026) and Belize City, Belize (14 December 2026).
Is there a direct flight from Western Canada to Mérida, Mexico?
Yes, WestJet launches Western Canada's only nonstop flight to Mérida departing Calgary weekly starting 17 December 2026.
Which Canadian city gains direct winter flights to Costa Rica?
Ottawa gains weekly nonstop winter flights to Liberia (Guanacaste Airport) starting 20 December 2026.
From the snow-covered Rockies to the sun-drenched colonial plazas of Yucatán and the Atlantic shores of Brazil, direct winter flights bring the warmth of the Americas within effortless reach.
Related Travel Guides
This article is for informational purposes. Flight routes, passenger regulations, visa rules, and transit advisories are subject to change by airlines and aviation authorities. Readers are advised to verify schedules and travel documentation with relevant carriers and border agencies before departure.
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