Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

WestJet Details New Nonstop Route From Chicago to Toronto

Daniel Ross's image
Daniel Ross
Daniel Ross's image

Daniel Ross

Senior Content Contributor

635 Published Articles 1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 56U.S. States Visited: 17

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points...

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline after Air Canada, has scheduled a new route from Toronto (YYZ) to Chicago (ORD) starting this summer.

Starting May 19, 2022, WestJet will join Air Canada, American Airlines, Flair, Swoop, and United Airlines, who all operate nonstop service on the route already.

According to the airline, the new route will also enable those living in Chicago and the surrounding areas to take WestJet flights via Toronto and connect onwards to popular leisure destinations across Europe such as Barcelona (BCN).

“Our newest transborder route provides guests with increased options to discover these two vibrant cities or seamlessly connect to their chosen destination via our expansive network,” said John Weatherill, Chief Commercial Officer at WestJet.

The news comes soon after the airline announced it would be acquiring a fellow Canadian airline, low-cost carrier Sunwing.

Here’s more about what WestJet’s new route means for travel to Toronto and beyond.

WestJet Comes to Chicago (ORD)

The daily, year-round route will start on May 19, 2022, and be operated with one of WestJet’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

The schedule is planned as follows:

  • Depart Chicago (ORD) 5:10 p.m. — Arrive Toronto (YYZ) 8:20 p.m.
  • Depart Toronto (YYZ) 3:35 p.m. — Arrive Chicago (ORD) 4:30 p.m.

From May 1, 2022, WestJet will restore its nonstop services from Toronto to Barcelona (BCN), Dublin (DUB), Edinburgh (EDI), Glasgow (GLA), and London Gatwick (LGW).

While the potential of making the most of WestJet’s low round-trip fares to Europe via Toronto is an exciting one, unfortunately, the schedule of the new route between Chicago and Toronto doesn’t bode well for allowing enough time to connect between flights in Toronto to Europe on both legs of the journey.

For example, a passenger landing in Toronto at 8:20 p.m. from Chicago would not have enough time to connect onto the 9:10 departure to Dublin.

The only connection that might have just enough time to work would be to Glasgow, where the schedules would leave 1 hour and 20 minutes on the outbound leg and 2 hours on the return leg.

Chicago to Glasgow via Toronto with WestJet
Chicago to Glasgow via Toronto with WestJet. Image Credit: Great Circle Mapper

It’s lucky that’s the case as Glasgow is currently the only one of those cities that doesn’t have nonstop service from Chicago.

Final Thoughts

With the addition of WestJet, there’ll soon be 6 airlines operating nonstop flights between Chicago (ORD) and Toronto (YYZ).

The route will start on March 19, 2022, and will operate daily on a year-round basis.

Daniel Ross's image

About Daniel Ross

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse
DMCA.com Protection Status