Originally launching as a feeder airline for the mainline WestJet network out of WestJet hubs in Calgary and Toronto (and providing other regional and commuter flights, e.g. Halifax to Sydney, NS or Edmonton to Kelowna), the airline was refocused on Western Canada in 2021, with all service east of Thunder Bay cancelled and all aircraft either repositioned or stored.

[5] WestJet Encore is the largest operator of the Q400 in the world, after the bankruptcy of Flybe and the retirement of the type by Horizon Air.

Crew bases are maintained in Calgary and Toronto, with all Toronto-based crewmembers requiring deadheading to access the route network out west.

[6] Solutions included slowing expansion of the airline or adding smaller aircraft models to serve routes with less traffic.

The absence of turboprop aircraft in the WestJet fleet was seen as a disadvantage compared to competitor Air Canada.

[18] Calgary was selected for the WestJet Encore corporate headquarters but Toronto Pearson International Airport was also considered.

[17] WestJet Encore and its flight attendants reached an agreement regarding compensation and work rules beginning January 1, 2018, for a one-year period.

[44][47][48] These problems are seen as a threat to passenger traffic, which might be driven to other connecting airports, such as Seattle or Vancouver, cities that WestJet Encore has fewer or no flights serving.

As part of the plan, WestJet Encore would see a complete winding down of operations in the eastern half of the country.

By mid-2023, all Encore routes east of Thunder Bay were suspended, significantly reducing WestJet's presence in Ottawa, Montreal, London (ON), Fredericton, Moncton, St John's, Quebec City and Halifax, and ending all of WestJet's operations altogether from Gander and Sydney, NS.

All aircraft were gradually ferried to Western Canada, where the significant loss of flights has resulted in much of the fleet remaining parked.

[50][non-primary source needed] He left[51] in 2016 to become an Executive Vice President at Hydro One Ltd., an electricity company and in 2018 subsequently he is now a Senior Vice-President for Air Canada.

[54][non-primary source needed] WestJet Encore has increased traffic in markets that it served as well as lowered airfares 30–40% than was previously available.

[56][non-primary source needed] The majority of WestJet Encore flights do not use jet bridges and are instead ground loaded, meaning the passengers exit the terminal onto the apron before stepping on to the aircraft.

Instead of miles or points, WestJet Dollars are earned by participants and can be redeemed as full or partial payment of future airfare.

[67][non-primary source needed] WestJet Encore flies regional routes throughout Canada, primarily to or from Calgary.

[70][non-primary source needed] WestJet Encore operates one type of aircraft, the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 NextGen, an updated version of the Dash 8–400 with updated landing gear, redesigned interiors, lighting, and larger overhead cabin storage.

[71] WestJet Encore uses a navAero mount and iPad OS based electronic flight bag (EFB).

[citation needed] As of February 2025[update], WestJet list 35 aircraft and there are 44 registered with Transport Canada.