Flight Path: How WestJet Is Flying High in Canada's Most Turbulent Industry

by Paul Grescoe

At a time when airlines across North America and around the world are facing crisis after crisis, and many collapsing into bankruptcy, WestJet has become Canada's most successful airline and one of the two most profitable carriers in North America. WestJet got off the ground in 1996, with three aircraft and 220 employees serving just five western Canadian cities. Today, the company is soaring to new heights, with more than 6 million 'guests'; traveling on 44 planes, and WestJet's over 3,700 people providing service to 26 destinations. Flight Path is the first book to chronicle the amazing success story of Canada's leading low-fare airline. It offers a detailed look at WestJet's path to success and holds valuable lessons for any business the empowering corporate philosophy and people-first culture; the low-cost structure that drives profitability; the passion for customer service that puts the fun back into flying; the focus on technology innovations; and the unwavering commitment to providing safe, friendly, and affordable air travel.

Genres: Aviation

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Paul Grescoe has contributed to most of the major Canadian magazines and has also written books, including detective novels and The Merchants of Venus, about the Harlequin publishing empire.

Paul Grescoe has been chronicling Western Canadian entrepreneurs for decades--from the legendary Vancouver billionaire Jim Pattison ("Jimmy") to the Winnipeg couple who founded the Harlequin romance empire ("The Merchants of Venus"). With his wife, Audrey, he is also a compiler of three recent volumes of private correspondence that illuminate Canadian history. They live on Bowen Island, near Vancouver, B.C.

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
* 1992 Best First Novel: Flesh Wound

Reviews

[Jennifer Rayment · Rating 3 out of 5]

Figured my last book of the year had to be about the company that I was just hired for and start working for them in the new year. Fascinating story and obviously well researched. I did find reading it at times to be a bit of a challenge as it jumps around a bit and some of the writing is stilted. That being said it did make me feel inspired to start working for them. They seem to be a company that truly understands that to make a company successful and make your customers happy, you hire the right people and you stand behind them and treat them well. Author does a great job at explaining PACT and how it was a fabulous solution about the problems of Unions (FYI I am a huge oppressor to Unions after having to work in a Union environment for 9 years) Unions do nothing really to help out employees and it often leads to only employees doing the bare minimum instead of inspiring them to be the best they can be. Also impressed with what the company does to help those who are scared of flying. Good background information on an inspired company.

"If you look after the employees, your guests are looked after, and if you look after your guests, you look after your shareholders. It's a pretty simple formula."

3.5/5

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history of WestJet. In an era where many airlines treat their passengers more like cattle than human beings, it is not suprising that one that considers their passengers "guests" might be on to something. The core values of WestJet were instrumental to success in their initial years, and as long as they stay true to them, continued success should follow.