WestJet announced today it is Canada’s preferred airline, according to research performed by TNS Canada on behalf of the airline.

Conducted in each of the last two quarters of 2011, the results showed that 44 per cent of Canadians said they prefer WestJet overall, as compared to 39 per cent for Air Canada. Participants were also asked to rate airlines in the categories of “genuinely cares”, best customer service, lowest prices and best value. In all categories, WestJet’s scores were approximately double that of Air Canada’s.

“I am extremely pleased with these results,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. “WestJet has built its brand on the pillars that Canadians trust us, they like to fly with us and they feel we offer great value. We are now at the point where our schedule, our WestJet Rewards program, our appeal to business travellers and our award-winning guest experience have made us Canada’s preferred airline.”

The TNS Canada research is an ongoing online survey among Canadians who have taken a flight within the past 12 months. Approximately 2,700 surveys are completed each quarter in a nationally representative sample of Canadian flyers across the 10 provinces.

In light of current labour unrest at Air Canada, WestJet would also like Canadians to know that it is able to help travellers whose plans may be affected, particularly in Toronto and Montreal where most of the service disruptions have been reported.

From now until April 1, WestJet has approximately 26,000 seats available on flights leaving from Toronto and about 7,600 seats on flights leaving from Montreal. There are more than 143,000 seats available across WestJet’s 76-city national and international network over the next week or so.

“We want Canadians to know they can book a WestJet flight with confidence,” said Bob Cummings. “If travellers are worried that labour unrest at Air Canada will jeopardize their spring break vacation, their flight to visit family and friends, or their business trip, we want them to know that we will do our best to get them where they want to go.”

Flight arrangements can be made on through the WestJet Sales Super Centre at 1-888-WESTJET (1-888-937-8538) or by contacting your travel agent.