WestJet & Virgin Atlantic expand codeshare, unveil more destinations from London Heathrow

WestJet guests this winter will gain access to a list of  international destinations via London's Heathrow Airport, through the expansion of WestJet's codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic.

As per a release, WestJet will sell itineraries including flights operated by Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow (LHR) to destinations within Virgin Atlantic's international network for winter 2024/2024. 

By summer 2025, WestJet will also provide domestic connectivity to Virgin Atlantic's newly announced route between Toronto-Pearson and London Heathrow.

The news was shared in Las Vegas on Monday (June 10) at an event attended by Sir Richard Branson, as well as Virgin Atlantic and WestJet officials. 

The agreement was signed last week at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Dubai, where WestJet's John Weatherill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, was joined by Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, to expand the current codeshare agreement between both airlines. 

WestJet and Virgin Atlantic have had an established codeshare partnership since 2019.

"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 Weatherill. "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."

Starting this winter, the expanded partnership will provide guests with single-stop access on a single itinerary from Calgary via Virgin Atlantic's Global Hub in London Heathrow to new global destinations including New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru in India, along with other desirable destinations including Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa, Lagos, Nigeria, Dubai, and the Maldives. (New routes are all pending regulatory approval)

WestJet Rewards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club will be working towards a reciprocal frequent flyer partnership in 2025, WestJet said. 

The expanded codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic will be WestJet's first-ever agreement enabling connectivity beyond Europe through London Heathrow. 

Further, this will be the first time that WestJet guests will have access to India, Africa, and the Middle East via a WestJet marketed codeshare as part of its greater network.

MAIN IMAGE: From left: Jared Mikoch-Gerke, WestJet, Director of Alliances and Airport Affairs, John Weatherill, WestJet Group, Executive Vice-President & Chief Commercial Officer, Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic, Executive Vice President & 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 & Alliances

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