WestJet and Virgin Atlantic Expand Codeshare, Offering Canadian Travelers More International Options
WestJet and Virgin Atlantic have announced an expansion of their codeshare agreement, providing Canadian travelers with access to a wider range of international destinations. This development opens up routes to India, Africa, and the Middle East, enhancing WestJet’s global reach through Virgin Atlantic’s extensive network.
Starting this winter, the expanded codeshare partnership will include several new international destinations, following the agreement signed at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai. John Weatherill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer of WestJet, and Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, were present to formalize the expansion. Weatherill expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that it unlocks new opportunities for Canadian travelers to access Virgin Atlantic's innovative products and services beyond London.
The enhanced agreement will allow WestJet passengers to connect from Calgary to London Heathrow and then onwards to various global destinations. These include New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru in India; Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa; Lagos in Nigeria; Dubai; and the Maldives, pending regulatory approval. This marks WestJet’s first agreement to offer connectivity beyond Europe via London Heathrow, significantly boosting its international network.
The codeshare partnership between WestJet and Virgin Atlantic, initiated in 2019, has continually evolved. The current expansion enables single-stop connectivity for WestJet passengers, providing a seamless travel experience with a single itinerary. Future benefits include a reciprocal frequent flyer partnership, allowing passengers to earn and redeem points across both airlines' networks. WestJet guests will be able to book these journeys on a single ticket through the airline’s website and app, ensuring smooth baggage transfers and connections at Heathrow.
Additionally, WestJet has been expanding its fleet and network. It recently launched nonstop flights from Calgary to Reykjavik, Iceland, in partnership with Icelandair, offering over 30 European connections. The airline is also acquiring three Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to meet increasing travel demand. WestJet currently operates a fleet of 179 aircraft, including more than 35 737 MAX jets.
This expanded partnership with Virgin Atlantic not only enhances travel options for Canadian passengers but also solidifies WestJet’s position as a key player in international air travel.
