WestJet & United Bring Fresh Competition to Transborder Air Travel

United Airlines and WestJet are set to enhance their Canada-U.S. connectivity with new routes launching in the summer of 2025. United will resume flights connecting Edmonton International Airport with Chicago O’Hare and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Meanwhile, WestJet plans to introduce services between Edmonton and Chicago, among other transborder additions.

United’s Chicago-Edmonton route will begin on May 22, 2025, running three times weekly through October 25, using Airbus A319 aircraft. Flights from Houston to Edmonton will start on May 24, operating four times weekly year-round. Both routes mark a return for United, which last served Chicago-Edmonton in 2016 and Houston-Edmonton in 2020.

Mark Weithofer, United’s Managing Director of Domestic Network highlighted the airline’s commitment to expanding its offerings with partner Air Canada. “With these new routes, we are excited to build on our partnership with Air Canada and offer customers even more choices across the transborder network,” he said.

Meanwhile, WestJet will launch its Edmonton-Chicago service on June 4, running thrice weekly through October 22. This route is part of seven new transborder services announced by the airline. Additionally, WestJet will debut flights between Vancouver and Austin, Texas, starting May 11, operating three times per week. This route will compete directly with Air Canada’s seasonal Austin-Vancouver service.

WestJet currently holds a 17.1% market share of Canada-U.S. capacity, ranking as the second-largest provider after Air Canada, which commands 43%. United follows as the third largest, with an 11.5% share.

United’s new Canadian routes come alongside adjustments to its U.S. domestic network. Starting March 30, 2025, United will add a 14-times-weekly Washington Dulles to Manchester/Boston route, operated by CommuteAir for United Express. However, the airline will suspend three Newark routes—Albany, Manchester/Boston, and Providence—from March 29, ending double-daily services operated by GoJet for United Express.

These strategic moves reflect both airlines’ efforts to strengthen their presence in key transborder markets while navigating competitive dynamics.

Read More:United Airlines Reveals New Boeing 787 to Promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel