Compare / AC vs WS
Air Canada vs WestJet
Two very different offers for the same job. Here is what actually separates Air Canada and WestJet for cabin crew — pay, roster, rules and who each one suits.
Air Canada
AC · Toronto
7.0
crew score
WestJet
WS · Calgary
6.6
crew score
Choose Air Canada if…
- ✓Starting pay is higher — about 5% more per month
- ✓Faster progression (career 7.4 vs 6.6)
- ✓Long-haul network with proper layovers instead of turnarounds
- ✓Actively hiring right now
- ✓Bigger network: ~180 destinations vs ~110
Choose WestJet if…
- ✓Short-haul flying means you sleep at home most nights
- ✓Visible tattoos may be accepted — a hard stop at the other airline
Side by side
| Air Canada | WestJet | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry pay / month | $1,900-$2,600 | $1,800-$2,500 |
| Senior pay / month | $4,200-$5,600 | $3,500-$4,800 |
| Tax-free | No | No |
| Housing | Not provided | Not provided |
| Base | Toronto | Calgary |
| Type | Full-service | Low-cost |
| Fleet | ~350 | ~180 |
| Destinations | ~180 | ~110 |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | None |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Reach / height | 208 cm reach | — |
| Visible tattoos | Not allowed | Some allowed |
| Language beyond English | None required | None required |
Crew scores compared
Air Canada
WestJet
Apply
Air Canada
Recruits continuously across all four bases for mainline and Rouge, with bilingual candidates prioritized; seasonal surges ahead of summer schedules.
WestJet
Hiring windows open several times a year, centered on Calgary base; French and Spanish speakers and candidates already living in Alberta clear screening fastest.
Still torn? Let the data decide.
Tax-free money or home every night? Fast promotion or a calm roster? Seven questions, ranked against pay, lifestyle, career and hiring data.
Frequently asked questions
Does Air Canada or WestJet pay cabin crew more?
Air Canada pays more at entry level: about $1,900-$2,600 a month against $1,800-$2,500. Remember to weigh tax status and housing before comparing headline figures.
Which is easier to get into, Air Canada or WestJet?
Air Canada is actively hiring (Recruits continuously across all four bases for mainline and Rouge, with bilingual candidates prioritized; seasonal surges ahead of summer schedules.) while WestJet is periodic intakes (Hiring windows open several times a year, centered on Calgary base; French and Spanish speakers and candidates already living in Alberta clear screening fastest.) Requirements differ too — check both requirement pages before deciding where to spend your effort.
Air Canada or WestJet — which is better for a first cabin crew job?
Air Canada scores higher overall in our index (7.0 vs 6.6), but "better" depends on what you want: money, roster, promotion speed or where you live. The reasons listed above split it by priority.