WestJet celebrates the 100th anniversary of Western Canada’s inaugural air mail flight

Airline celebrates 100th anniversary of Katherine Stinson’s flight from Calgary to Edmonton 

CALGARY, Alberta, 2018-Jul-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Today (July 9, 2018), WestJet in collaboration with the Canadian Aerophilatelic Society and The Calgary Airport Authority celebrated the 100th anniversary of Western Canada’s inaugural air mail flight. The flight was made by aviatriceKatherine Stinson on July 9, 1918, from Calgary to Edmonton, containing a mailbag with a reported 259 letters.

Known by the press as “the birdgirl,” Katherine Stinson piloted the first flight using a compass and a map of Alberta. It was the first time in the West and the second time in all of Canada that mail had been transported by air. The plane Stinson flew was custom-built using parts from a number of First World War era aircraft. Her trip also resulted in the first-ever landing on terrain in the immediate vicinity of the present-day YYC Calgary International Airport.

WestJet Encore flight 3143 from Calgary to Edmonton will be used to commemorate this unique occasion. The flight will also transport 259 letters destined for Edmonton from Calgary including a letter from Calgary Mayor, Naheed Nenshi to the Mayor of Edmonton, Don Iveson. The original mail bag contained a letter from the acting Calgary Mayor Freeze to then Mayor Evans of Edmonton.

In honour of Stinson, flight 3143 will be flown by WestJet Encore Captain’s Athenia Jansen and Janna Breker Kettner.

Additional Quotes:

Athenia Jansen, WestJet Encore Captain

“As a female pilot it’s an honour to fly WestJet Encore flight 3143 in recognition of Katherine Stinson’s first air mail flight in Western Canada. Stinson was one of the world’s leading female aviators and Janna and myself are thrilled to commemorate the 100th anniversary of her flight.”

Mark Ruel, Director, Air Service Development for The Calgary Airport Authority

“Today’s acknowledgement of the first air mail flight demonstrates that YYC is a leading cargo gateway in Western Canada, evolving from just one inter-city flight transporting air mail, to offering access to global markets in support of Alberta’s strategy to grow international trade. Over 75 per cent of Alberta’s of air freight is handled at YYC.”

Gord Mallett, Canadian Aerophilatelic Society

“Several months ago an invitation was extended to WestJet to partner in planning activities linked to the Centenary of Katherine Stinson’s July 9 1918 air mail flight between Calgary and Edmonton. The company’s response was immediate and very positive.  Today’s Centennial Flight, conveying 259 commemorative covers between the two Alberta cities, is being realized thanks to the ongoing participation and assistance of WestJet, The Calgary Airport Authority and Canada Post.”
About WestJet

Together with WestJet’s regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers’ Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers’ Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers’ Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines)

2018 Travellers’ Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines)

2018/2017/2016 Canada’s Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada’s most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)

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Media contacts:
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Source: YYC Calgary International Airport

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