Brian Znotins

Vice-President, Network Planning and Alliances WestJet

Brian Znotins is the Vice-President, Network Planning and Alliances for WestJet Airlines. After spending 17 years with United Airlines (Continental before the merger), Brian returned to his native Canada to join WestJet in October 2016. In just two years, Brian has helped oversee the shift of WestJet’s Network strategy to a hub & spoke model; the order of 787s; the launch of WestJet’s ultra-low-cost carrier Swoop; new service to Paris, France; and, new strategic partnerships with Pacific Coastal Airlines and Delta Air Lines. One of his current areas of focus is getting WestJet’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into service in 2019, which include the airline’s first-ever business class. 

Brian’s long history in the network world started with Canadian Airlines in the late ‘90s before moving to Continental/United and into progressively more senior roles over the years. Many of his career accomplishments were profit-focused initiatives including the restructuring of United’s Tokyo hub; playing a key role in the construction and implementation of two international joint-ventures (Atlantic and Pacific); transformation of United from three-cabin long-haul configuration to two cabin; and, a slimline seat program. He also championed United’s China strategy and its San Francisco growth strategy.

Brian holds a bachelor of arts degree in history and a master of business administration in finance from the University of Calgary. 

When not out hiking or trail-running, Brian is an avid traveler having visited more than 30 countries, five continents and 100 airports since he began his career. Together with his wife, Susan, Brian also shares a deep love of animals and animal welfare, having volunteered in rescue in various forms over the last 15 years. Brian and Susan live in Calgary, Alberta with their dog and two cats.