Air Transat and WestJet will cooperate on a codeshare that will soon allow customers to book transatlantic travel involving both Canadian carriers on a single ticket with through-checked bags.
WestJet’s code will be placed on Air Transat flights to selected cities in Europe, and Air Transat’s code will be placed on selected WestJet flights in North America to enable both airlines to offer the connecting transatlantic itineraries.
The codeshare agreement is scheduled to be implemented in early 2022, subject to regulatory approvals.
Annick Guérard, president and chief executive of Transat, said: “This agreement is a first milestone in our strategy to grow and strengthen our network through alliances.
“It will create great opportunities for our existing and future customers, who are looking to connect between North America and Europe and will enhance our long-standing presence on the transatlantic market.”
Ed Sims, WestJet president and chief executive, added: “Confidence in travel is building and this new transatlantic cooperation will allow WestJet to offer even more destinations to travellers, connecting North America and Europe in new ways, and benefiting guests on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Air Transit returned to the UK in September with a three-times-weekly service from Gatwick to Toronto, which will be upgraded to a daily frequency from May 2022.
WestJet will fly to Toronto next summer from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. The airline will also reinstate its Glasgow route to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in May 2022, after the service was suspended in March 2020.