Virgin Atlantic expands codeshare with WestJet, strengthening Canada-UK connectivity

Virgin Atlantic and WestJet have expanded their codeshare agreement, strengthening connections from Canada to the United Kingdom and to connecting regions – including India.

The partnership aims to provide seamless connectivity for Canadians travelling to the U.K. with enhanced customer benefits for connecting passengers.

The two airlines will be co-located at Toronto Pearson’s Terminal 3, where Virgin Atlantic will partner with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), to support connections onwards via eligible cities.

Customers, in turn, will be able to transfer through Pearson without having to collect and re-check their baggage to their final destination.

The first phase of the agreement will allow Canadian customers booking through Virgin Atlantic to seamlessly connect from their preferred city on a WestJet flight via Toronto Pearson International onwards to London with Virgin Atlantic on one ticket.

Cities include Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and more. Flights are on sale beginning Feb. 17, 2025 for tickets to London Heathrow via Toronto (YYZ) commencing 30 March 2025.

READ MORE: “Something different”: Virgin Atlantic reveals its plans for Canada

Loyalty partnership program benefits across both Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and WestJet Rewards are expected to roll out later in the year.

Virgin Atlantic will launch its Toronto route next month, the first route to Canada in more than a decade, linking two global financial hubs.

The route will reinforce the airline’s commitment to the Indian subcontinent and its third largest market with optimal onward connectivity for Canadians travelling to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, as well as Dubai, the Maldives, Cape Town and Joannesburg via London Heathrow.

READ MORE: Stephen Goulding joins Virgin Atlantic as country manager, Canada

“Canada is an incredibly important opportunity for Virgin Atlantic as many of our customers travel between the Great White North, the UK, India and beyond. This expanded partnership with WestJet, alongside our partners at Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM, will create seamless connectivity for our customers via our new route launching between Toronto and London,” said Juha Jarvinen, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, in a press release.

“Our codeshare agreement with WestJet aims to respond to a continued demand for travel to the UK and India from across the region. Canadian customers can expect a premium, personalised experience at every step of the journey, delivered by our amazing people, the red thread that sets us apart.”

John Weatherill, executive vice-president and CCO at WestJet, added:

"We are thrilled to enhance our partnership with Virgin Atlantic and support their return to Canada. As the first phase of this expansion, we are excited to welcome guests from across Virgin Atlantic’s global network by providing connectivity across Canada with WestJet.

“This expanded codeshare will simplify travel and deliver a more seamless experience for our shared guests. We look forward to building closer ties in the months ahead, providing more options to connect Canada with the world." 

Virgin Atlantic appointed Canada Country Manager, Stephen Goulding, in January 2025.

Having held various leadership roles at WestJet, Goulding will support Virgin Atlantic’s strategic growth in Canada alongside leaders at WestJet to grow the airline’s presence and drive awareness of customer connectivity benefits within Canada, the U.K. and in markets across the network.

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