You can now fly direct to this entertainment capital from YLW

Magic, acrobatics, and high-kicks took centre stage as WestJet made a safe bet with the re-introduction of direct flights between Kelowna and Las Vegas.

The Calgary-based airline will operate flights on Mondays and Fridays, with more than 3,000 seats per month, for the first time since 2020 when Swoop flew the route.

The first flight departed on Dec. 15.

"Las Vegas is a highly sought-after destination for our passengers, and we are thrilled WestJet is meeting this demand with their new twice-weekly flights,” YLW CEO Sam Samaddar said.

Travellers previously had to route through either Calgary or Vancouver to find their way to the legendary Vegas Strip.

WestJet's Director of Canadian Airports Riccardo Simonelli said the flights introduce new tourism opportunities that go both ways.

"Kelowna is a happening place ... and it is an opportunity to connect another hotspot to our network," he said.

Currently, the service runs until April 28, but Simonelli said the airline is always reviewing its routes.

Having served Kelowna for 27 years, WestJet has grown to become the primary carrier at YLW, boasting 55 per cent of total seat capacity.

Vegas isn't the only gem in WestJet's crown. This winter, the airline's growing network from YLW also includes Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Phoenix, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cancun.

The celebrations weren't just in the sky.

At the YLW terminal, lucky passengers won $100 gift cards for WestJet, and one family even won a trip for two to Las Vegas courtesy of WestJet.