Selection process · tests · interview · simulator check
WestJet pilot assessment
Updated October 2026 · SET STANDARD
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Notify meWestJet is in a fleet-transition year: the 737-10 has just been certified and more 787-9s are coming, but fuel costs, route cuts and the start of 737-700 retirement have slowed pilot recruitment, with mainline hiring reported as paused in October 2026 and ALPA bargaining under way.
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WestJet is Canada's second-largest airline, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Founded on a Southwest-style low-cost model in 1996, it has grown into a hybrid carrier with Boeing 737 narrowbodies, a 787-9 long-haul fleet, the WestJet Encore Dash 8-400 regional arm and, since 2023, the absorbed Sunwing leisure business. Its people are known internally as WestJetters.
Key facts
| Fleet | Nearly 200 aircraft (group): Boeing 737-700 (retiring, 27 sold to FTAI), 737-800, 737-8 MAX, 787-9; WestJet Encore De Havilland Dash 8-400. No 737-8200 |
|---|---|
| Orders | 737-10 (42 ordered 2023 plus 60 in Sept 2025, six later swapped for two 787-9s) and 787-9 (7 in Sept 2025 plus 2 from the swap); first 737-10 expected late 2026 via ACG lease |
| Bases | Calgary (HQ, main hub, Encore base), Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg; Montreal reported after Sunwing integration |
| Pilots | Unified WestJet pilot group (incl. ex-Swoop and ex-Sunwing) represented by ALPA; Encore pilots separate ALPA unit (contract to Dec 2028) |
| Hiring 2026 | Encore Q400 FO 2026 YYC posting ran; mainline pilot postings reported absent in Oct 2026 |
| Entry routes | Encore Q400 FO and Flightpath (partner colleges), mainline DE FO on 737, internal upgrade; no visa sponsorship |
Entry routes and requirements
WestJet Encore Flightpath / Q400 First Officer (regional entry)
Low-to-mid-time Canadian commercial pilots, flight instructors and graduates of partner colleges/flight schools who want a structured route to WestJet mainline
- Transport Canada Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) with multi-engine and Group 1 instrument rating
- Transport Canada Category 1 medical
- Legally entitled to work in Canada (citizen, permanent resident or valid work permit)
- Hours minimum set in each posting (reported around 750 h total for direct Q400 FO; lower for Flightpath partner graduates)
WestJet mainline First Officer (B737 / B787)
Experienced turbine pilots from Canadian carriers, Encore, the military, or corporate/charter operators
- Transport Canada Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane), or CPL with Group 1 IR and ATPL exams passed (reported)
- Reported minimum around 2,000 h total, with multi-crew turbine experience strongly preferred
- Transport Canada Category 1 medical
- Legally entitled to work in Canada; WestJet withdrew its 2025 Temporary Foreign Worker Program (LMIA) plan for pilots, so no visa sponsorship route is open
Direct-entry Captain (Encore Q400, when open)
Experienced pilots with PIC time who are eligible for command at a regional operator
- Transport Canada ATPL
- Reported around 2,000 h total with significant PIC time
- Category 1 medical, right to work in Canada, TSC
The selection process, step by step
- Online applicationonline (WestJet careers board, Dayforce-based, reported)
Application against a specific posting with licence, medical, hours breakdown (total, PIC, multi-crew, turbine, last 12 months), CV and right-to-work confirmation. Pilot postings open and close with operational need.
- Online assessments (reported)online
Candidates report an online stage with a personality/work-style questionnaire and aptitude items (reasoning and pilot aptitude). Vendor and exact content are not published by WestJet.
- Screening call or video interview (reported)phone / video
A short recruiter or pilot screen covering motivation, availability, base preference and a few behavioural questions.
- Interview day in Calgary (reported)in person, WestJet Campus Calgary
Reported combination of a behavioural (HR/People) panel and a technical interview with WestJet pilots: aircraft systems from your current type, performance, weather, Canadian rules (CARs) and operational scenarios.
- Simulator evaluation (reported, not always)simulator
Some candidates report a simulator ride (B737 or Q400 depending on the role) focused on instrument flying, CRM and handling an abnormal; candidates already current on type may not fly one.
- Conditional offer, references and clearancesadministrative
Reference and background checks, licence and medical verification, and Transportation Security Clearance application before a class date. Class dates follow operational need and seniority list placement.
Aptitude and psychometric tests
- personality / work style
- numerical reasoning
- spatial / pilot aptitude
- situational judgement
Not published (vendor unconfirmed)
The interview
Reported behavioural panel plus a technical interview with WestJet line pilots/managers; conversational and values-based
- Why WestJet and why Calgary-based culture
- Guest care and teamwork (the 'WestJetter' culture)
- CRM, judgement and safety reporting
- Adaptability through change (Sunwing/Swoop integration, fleet change)
Typical questions to prepare
- Why WestJet?
- Why not Air Canada or Porter?
- What do you know about WestJet's ownership?
- What are the main changes at WestJet recently?
- Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
- Tell me about a conflict with a captain or colleague.
The simulator assessment
| Device | B737 full flight simulator for mainline; Dash 8-400 FFS for Encore (reported) |
|---|---|
| Where | WestJet Campus, Calgary (reported) |
| Typical profile | Reported short evaluation: departure, raw-data or reduced-automation handling, a non-normal and an approach with possible go-around; emphasis on CRM. |
Language and after selection
ICAO English proficiency required on the Transport Canada licence (level 4 minimum, level 6 preferred). French is an asset for routes to Quebec and francophone destinations.
Indoctrination and type training in Calgary (WestJet Campus; WestJet and CAE signed a 15-year agreement in September 2025 for a new 8-bay full-flight-simulator training centre at Calgary airport, ground broken in September 2026). New hires join the ALPA seniority list as First Officers on the B737 (or Q400 at Encore); base by seniority from YYC, YYZ, YVR, YEG, YWG and other bases as published.
Common reasons candidates fail
- Not meeting eligibility: no Transport Canada licence or right to work in Canada
- Logbook or application totals that do not match
- Weak knowledge of Canadian rules (CARs 602 and 705, fatigue rules, cold-temperature corrections)
- Generic answers about WestJet that ignore Sunwing, Swoop, ownership and the 737-10 or 787 plan
- Behavioural answers without a clear personal role, result or lesson (no STAR)
Get the complete WestJet Assessment Guide
169 pages: company history and culture, every stage of the selection, model interview answers, technical refresher, Boeing 737 · 737 MAX · 787-9 · Dash 8-400 systems and simulator assessment preparation. Updated for 2026.
Look inside the guideStatus: Preview · current to October 2026 · not on sale yet · join the waiting list
About this guide
- Format
- PDF (bookmarked, iPad-optimised)
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ed 2026 · Revision 1.0
- Current to
- October 2026
- Pages
- 169
- Status
- Preview · not on sale yet
- Licence
- Personal, single user · see licence terms
- Updates
- Update policy to be announced before sales open
- Simulator stage
- Covered as reported by candidates and public sources
Independent publication. Facts in this overview are labelled “reported” when they come from candidate reports rather than official sources — see the editorial standards. Notify me about this guide · See it in the catalogue
Practice questions: company knowledge
Interview practice drawn from public sources; the answers are not an FAQ about the guide.
Where is WestJet headquartered?
Calgary, Alberta
When did WestJet operate its first flight?
29 February 1996, from Calgary
Which aircraft did WestJet start with?
Three Boeing 737-200s
Who is WestJet Group's CEO?
Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO since 2023 (former Austrian Airlines CEO)
Who controls WestJet?
Onex, which took it private in 2019 and retains 75%
Which airlines bought stakes in WestJet in 2025, and how much?
Delta 12.7%, Korean Air 10%, Air France-KLM 2.3%; deal closed 22 October 2025
Preparation guides
Other airline assessments
Main sources
https://rotatepilot.com/airlines/westjet/recruitment
https://www.careerbeacon.com/en/job-7/3510918/westjet/encore-q400-pilot-first-officer-2026-yyc
https://ca.linkedin.com/jobs/view/encore-q400-pilot-first-officer-yyc-flightpath-and-expression-of-interest-at-westjet-3767702626
https://negotech.service.canada.ca/eng/agreements/15/1533202a.pdf
https://www.alpa.org/press-room/2025/04/westjet-airlines-halts-plans-to-use-temporary-foreign-worker-program
SET STANDARD is an independent training publisher, not affiliated with WestJet. Information compiled from public sources and candidate reports; always confirm with the airline’s official careers page.