WESTJET CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

Holiday Heroes

Over the holidays, WestJetters work hard to connect you with your loved ones. And so do thousands of others who dedicate their holiday time to get you where you need to go. So, this year, we want to celebrate these holiday heroes by reconnecting them with their families.

Ionia the Holiday Hero

Celebrating Holiday Heroes

Meet Ionia

We invited Canadians to nominate their holiday hero, someone who works away from their loved ones over the holidays. From the submissions, we found Ionia. Ionia works as a nurse at a retirement community and was nominated by the family of one of the residents she cares for. Ionia is recognized by the residents and her peers for the sincere kindness, empathy and dignity she treats everyone in her care with.

While the nomination period has now closed, if you have a story to share with us about a holiday hero, we’d love to hear it.

Meet our holiday heroes:

Ashley Springer

Bus Operator Coast Mountain Bus Company - TransLink

Meet Ashley, a bus driver with a heart of gold. One of the most rewarding aspects of his job is uniting travellers with their loved ones, a task he undertakes with unwavering enthusiasm. Despite often working during the holidays, Ashley prioritizes the value of family. Which made reconnecting him with his sister Nikki and nephew Elijah from New York even more meaningful.

Killian Kampes

Valet Attendant, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Killian is a warm-hearted valet from Dundalk, a town nestled between Dublin and Belfast. He finds joy in being one of the first faces that greet travellers when they’re staying in a new city. His genuine enthusiasm is felt in every interaction. For his Christmas Miracle, we reunited him with his mom and dad, who made the long journey from Ireland. The result was a touching reunion for a family that clearly love each other's company.

Husan Gill

Ramp Agent, AGI - Vancouver International Airport

Husan is a dedicated member of the AGI family who manages the delicate dance of getting luggage from planes to terminals. We were thrilled to connect Husan with her dear friend, Aman. Their bond goes beyond the ordinary as they've been inseparable since growing up in the same village and riding the bus to school together as children. The result? A reunion charged with emotion and the joy of seeing a cherished friend again.

Showing our appreciation

The travel industry is full of Holiday Heroes. Here’s just a sampling of stories provided by our very own WestJetters.

Pepa

Pepa has been a dedicated airport contractor for years, feels like family every time we meet. Her care for guests and crew makes her a true WestJetter in my eyes. Her kindness and hard work deserve recognition. Thanks, Pepa!

Christopher
Vancouver, BC

Bashir

I've known Bashir for 21 years. He consistently expresses pride in my career progress, offers encouragement, and greets me with a cheerful and joking, "you're still here?"

Tina 
Vancouver, BC

Marina

In March, Marina messaged me and asked if I could get baby formula for a guest who had all her essentials in checked luggage. Marina's thoughtfulness ensured the baby didn't go hungry, giving the mom peace in mind in another city. Marina deserves a medal.

Rini
Calgary, AB

Nicole

In September, I had a major fall in at an airport, resulting in a fractured ankle. Nicole provided immediate first-aid. And despite having only a few minutes left in her shift, she stayed, offering support and distraction from the pain. I'd like to express my gratitude and seek recognition for her exceptional work.

Michelle
Calgary, AB

Sharnae

At the airport gate, a guest reported losing medication on a flight. I quickly coordinated with colleagues to locate the medication, but it was outside security. So they arranged for Sharnae to deliver it through customs. The guest was overjoyed to get her medication back, showcasing a dream team effort. It was a joyful moment, the guest was so happy and relieved.

Rini 
Calgary, AB

Melesia

Thanks to Melesia's exceptional efforts, she swiftly secured crew accommodations for us during a challenging trip in Montego Bay, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.

Beverly
Winnipeg, MB

Arvan and Jared

During pre-departure checks, Jared and Arvan, our vigilant ground support workers, spotted a bolt lodged in a main tire. Their sharp attention to detail and commitment to safety ensured a prompt tire change. Kudos to Jared and Arvan for their professionalism and diligence!

Owen
Renfrew, ON

YHZ Catering

Kudos to the friendly catering team in Halifax Stanfield International, especially Kareem, who always goes the extra mile, asking about our day and ensuring small details like mini water bottles in the cabin and chilled beverages. Your efforts don't go unnoticed, and we appreciate you making our job smoother. Thank you!

Razia 
Edmonton, AB

Jo-Anne

On Thanksgiving at a layover hotel in Edmonton, I faced a phone charging dilemma late at night. Jo-Anne at the front desk not only offered a solution but went above and beyond. Despite the late hour, she personally lent me her own charger, emphasizing the importance of staying connected with family during the holidays. Jo-Anne's kindness and quick assistance made my stay more comfortable, and her thoughtful gesture meant a lot to me.

Jacqueline
Toronto, ON

Pepa

Pepa has been a dedicated airport contractor for years, feels like family every time we meet. Her care for guests and crew makes her a true WestJetter in my eyes. Her kindness and hard work deserve recognition. Thanks, Pepa!

Christopher
Vancouver, BC

Bashir

I've known Bashir for 21 years. He consistently expresses pride in my career progress, offers encouragement, and greets me with a cheerful and joking, "you're still here?"

Tina 
Vancouver, BC

Marina

In March, Marina messaged me and asked if I could get baby formula for a guest who had all her essentials in checked luggage. Marina's thoughtfulness ensured the baby didn't go hungry, giving the mom peace in mind in another city. Marina deserves a medal.

Rini
Calgary, AB

Nicole

In September, I had a major fall in at an airport, resulting in a fractured ankle. Nicole provided immediate first-aid. And despite having only a few minutes left in her shift, she stayed, offering support and distraction from the pain. I'd like to express my gratitude and seek recognition for her exceptional work.

Michelle
Calgary, AB

Sharnae

At the airport gate, a guest reported losing medication on a flight. I quickly coordinated with colleagues to locate the medication, but it was outside security. So they arranged for Sharnae to deliver it through customs. The guest was overjoyed to get her medication back, showcasing a dream team effort. It was a joyful moment, the guest was so happy and relieved.

Rini 
Calgary, AB

Melesia

Thanks to Melesia's exceptional efforts, she swiftly secured crew accommodations for us during a challenging trip in Montego Bay, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.

Beverly
Winnipeg, MB

Arvan and Jared

During pre-departure checks, Jared and Arvan, our vigilant ground support workers, spotted a bolt lodged in a main tire. Their sharp attention to detail and commitment to safety ensured a prompt tire change. Kudos to Jared and Arvan for their professionalism and diligence!

Owen
Renfrew, ON

YHZ Catering

Kudos to the friendly catering team in Halifax Stanfield International, especially Kareem, who always goes the extra mile, asking about our day and ensuring small details like mini water bottles in the cabin and chilled beverages. Your efforts don't go unnoticed, and we appreciate you making our job smoother. Thank you!

Razia 
Edmonton, AB

Jo-Anne

On Thanksgiving at a layover hotel in Edmonton, I faced a phone charging dilemma late at night. Jo-Anne at the front desk not only offered a solution but went above and beyond. Despite the late hour, she personally lent me her own charger, emphasizing the importance of staying connected with family during the holidays. Jo-Anne's kindness and quick assistance made my stay more comfortable, and her thoughtful gesture meant a lot to me.

Jacqueline
Toronto, ON

Back

Pepa has been a dedicated airport contractor for years, feels like family every time we meet. Her care for guests and crew makes her a true WestJetter in my eyes. Her kindness and hard work deserve recognition. Thanks, Pepa!

Christopher
Vancouver, BC

Bashir

I've known Bashir for 21 years. He consistently expresses pride in my career progress, offers encouragement, and greets me with a cheerful and joking, "you're still here?"

Tina 
Vancouver, BC

Marina

In March, Marina messaged me and asked if I could get baby formula for a guest who had all her essentials in checked luggage. Marina's thoughtfulness ensured the baby didn't go hungry, giving the mom peace in mind in another city. Marina deserves a medal.

Rini
Calgary, AB

Nicole

In September, I had a major fall in at an airport, resulting in a fractured ankle. Nicole provided immediate first-aid. And despite having only a few minutes left in her shift, she stayed, offering support and distraction from the pain. I'd like to express my gratitude and seek recognition for her exceptional work.

Michelle
Calgary, AB

Sharnae

At the airport gate, a guest reported losing medication on a flight. I quickly coordinated with colleagues to locate the medication, but it was outside security. So they arranged for Sharnae to deliver it through customs. The guest was overjoyed to get her medication back, showcasing a dream team effort. It was a joyful moment, the guest was so happy and relieved.

Rini 
Calgary, AB

Melesia

Thanks to Melesia's exceptional efforts, she swiftly secured crew accommodations for us during a challenging trip in Montego Bay, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.

Beverly
Winnipeg, MB

Arvan and Jared

During pre-departure checks, Jared and Arvan, our vigilant ground support workers, spotted a bolt lodged in a main tire. Their sharp attention to detail and commitment to safety ensured a prompt tire change. Kudos to Jared and Arvan for their professionalism and diligence!

Owen
Renfrew, ON

YHZ Catering

Kudos to the friendly catering team in Halifax Stanfield International, especially Kareem, who always goes the extra mile, asking about our day and ensuring small details like mini water bottles in the cabin and chilled beverages. Your efforts don't go unnoticed, and we appreciate you making our job smoother. Thank you!

Razia 
Edmonton, AB

Jo-Anne

On Thanksgiving at a layover hotel in Edmonton, I faced a phone charging dilemma late at night. Jo-Anne at the front desk not only offered a solution but went above and beyond. Despite the late hour, she personally lent me her own charger, emphasizing the importance of staying connected with family during the holidays. Jo-Anne's kindness and quick assistance made my stay more comfortable, and her thoughtful gesture meant a lot to me.

Jacqueline
Toronto, ON