WestJet announces non-stop flights between Vancouver and London

WestJet has announced it will launch non-stop service between Vancouver and London, Gatwick, beginning May 6, 2016.

And fares are going to start at $299.

“Canadians have been paying far too much to fly to Europe for far too long and today, as we have throughout our history, we’re going to fix that,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, commercial, in a release. “We are offering non-stop flights at very low prices and we’re proud to once again lower airfares and make travel more affordable.”

The base fare to fly to London will start at $244, with $55 in taxes, fees and air transportation charges.

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These rates are subject to change at any time.

WestJet will also be offering introductory pricing that adds an additional $20 one-way to connect from select airports into the six cities serving London, Gatwick.

“It’s a market that heretofore has had pretty high airfares,” Gregg Saretsky, chief executive of WestJet said in an interview after the announcements. “We’re always attracted to markets that have high airfares because we can come in with our brand of low fares.”

Flights from Vancouver will depart six times a week at 5:50 p.m. and arrive at 11:24 a.m. GMT the following day in London. Flights from London to Vancouver will depart six times a week at 12:55 p.m., arriving in Vancouver at 3:40 p.m. These time slots are in effect from May 6, 2016, to Oct. 21, 2016.

All London flights from Vancouver will be operated by one of WestJet’s four 767-300ERW extended range aircraft, seating 262 guests.

WATCH: WestJet introduces new service to London with #DaveTheDog video