Canadian airline WestJet has expanded its codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic, unlocking a wide-ranging list of international destinations for winter 2024. The carrier will also provide domestic connectivity to Virgin Atlantic’s route between Toronto-Pearson and London Heathrow by the summer of 2025.
From winter 2024, the expanded partnership will provide travellers with single-stop access from Calgary via Virgin Atlantic’s Global Hub in London Heathrow to destinations in India, as well as South Africa, Lagos, Nigeria, the Maldives and Dubai. All new routes are currently pending regulatory approval.
“Through the expansion of our existing partnership with Virgin Atlantic, we are unlocking amazing opportunities for our guests to access an extensive list of new destinations and to experience Virgin Atlantic’s innovative products and services beyond London,” said John Weatherill, WestJet’s Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer.
From left to right: Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet, Director of Alliances and Airport Affairs, John Weatherill, WestJet Group, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Kate Leigh, Virgin Atlantic, Head of Alliances, Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group, CEO, Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic, CEO, and Jenny McGowan, Virgin Atlantic, Vice-President, Network and Alliances (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
“With daily flights from our global hub in Calgary to London, Canadians have never had better international access from across Western Canada to the United Kingdom and beyond,” Weatherill added.
WestJet and Virgin Atlantic have had a codeshare partnership since 2019. This latest agreement marks a significant step in WestJet’s global network expansion plans. It is the first-ever time the carrier has enabled connectivity beyond Europe via London Heathrow and a first for its passengers who will have access to India, Africa and the Middle East, all via a marketed WestJet codeshare.
As part of the relationship, WestJet Rewards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club will also work towards a reciprocal frequent flyer partnership in 2025.
