Flights just over €300 from Dublin to Canada

A Canadian airline is to start low-fare transatlantic crossings to Dublin with prices for return flights starting at just over €300.

The daily flights to Ireland, which start next June, will either be directly from — or will fly through — St Johns in Newfoundland.

Ireland. That’s right. We’re heading across the pond. http://t.co/KZNbg6qNZX #WestJetDublin #transatlantic

— WestJet (@WestJet) November 15, 2013

There will also be fares from Toronto and Ottawa.

The flights come at a time when thousands of Irish people are either considering the possibility of emigrating to Canada to find work or have already made the move.

The airline will use Boeing 737-700 aircraft — which are relatively small by typical transatlantic standards with a seating capacity for fewer than 140 passengers.

Want to see what the WestJet route map looks like with #Ireland on it? http://t.co/v0oXGitrxU #WestJetDublin

— WestJet (@WestJet) November 15, 2013

Westjet said that from Dublin, the passengers would be able to access low-cost flights to more than 100 cities in Europe as it has partnerships with firms including Alitalia, British Airways, Finnair, KLM, and Icelandair.

At present it has routes to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Dublin is its first venture into Europe.

Anyone who wants to go to Ireland should book a flight now on @WestJet, return ticket from YYT to Dublin is just 8 TOTAL! Crazy!

— 🇨🇦DFF🇨🇦 (@detroitdan1982) November 15, 2013

The flight schedule is only seasonal at this stage. The airline has said next year’s schedule will see services between Jun 15 and Oct 5.

Its chief financial officer, Vito Culmone, told a transportation conference earlier this week that there are potentially four or five other markets that could be serviced from St John’s.

“It is an exciting time for WestJet as we bring our unique brand of low fares and award-winning guest experience to a whole new market,” said Chris Avery, WestJet’s vice-president for network planning.

“WestJet’s innovative foray into the European market represents a willingness to do what it takes to connect Canadians to the world while bringing the world to Canada.”