WestJet Airlines Ltd. has expanded its partnership with Air France, giving passengers flying from Canada access to seven additional cities in Europe.
WestJet announced Friday that it had expanded its codesharing agreement with Air France, which allows passengers to access flights operated by the foreign carrier with their WestJet ticket. As of Friday, guests booking WestJet flights to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris will now be able to connect to Brest, Biarritz and Montpellier in France, as well as Venice, Milan, Rome in Italy and Athens, Greece.
“WestJet’s deepened codeshare relationship with Air France means guests of both airlines will now enjoy more opportunities to travel between the fantastic destinations in Canada and Europe,” Brian Znotins, WestJet’s vice president of network planning, said in a statement.
Codeshare agreements allow airlines to sell tickets on a partner airline’s flight as if it were operated by their own airline.
WestJet said there are plans to expand the codesharing partnership to additional countries, including Austria, Germany and Portugal.
The expansion comes as WestJet pursues an ambitious strategy that includes capturing growth internationally – an area of the market that Air Canada has dominated among Canadian carriers.
WestJet has purchased 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and will begin offering non-stop service from Calgary to London (Gatwick), Paris and Dublin in May. The airline is also trying to attract higher-paying premium passengers through new offerings, including business class service on the Dreamliners, which will feature amenities such as on-demand dining, lay-flat mattresses, bedding and turn-down service.
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