WestJet and Korean Air are expanding their partnership further by introducing a new codeshare agreement which will see WestJet’s code placed on Korean Air flights between Toronto Pearson Airport and Vancouver International Airport in Canada and Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea.
Expanding agreements
Despite establishing partnerships with Cathay Pacific, Air China, and Philippine Airlines, among others, the codeshare agreement with Korean Air is WestJet’s first reciprocal partnership with an Asian airline.
The WS code is currently active on Korean Air’s flights to Seoul, providing passengers further connectivity across North America and Asia.
Some examples of newly interconnected codeshare routes available include Toronto to Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport, Vancouver to Ho Chi Minh’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and Seoul to Orlando International Airport.
Korean Air is the first Asian carrier to establish a reciprocal partnership with WestJet, opening Canada up to new routes across the Asia-Pacific region. Photo: Boeing
“It’s incredibly exciting for WestJet to codeshare on flights across the Pacific to Asia for the first time. We’ve had a strong codeshare with Korean since 2012 and we’re very pleased to be taking this important step with a world-class partner like Korean,” explained John Weatherill, WestJet’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“We’re looking forward to the new opportunities our now reciprocal codeshare will bring to consumers travelling between Canada and Asia.”
Bookings for the codeshare flights are now available through WestJet’s website and call center, as well as its travel agent partners. The airline’s Reward members will still be able to earn and redeem WestJet Dollars on codeshare tickets.
“We are delighted to expand our codeshare partnership with our longstanding partner WestJet, and look forward to delivering unparalleled services across the Pacific to our valued customers,” added Tae Joon Kim, Korean Air Senior Vice President and Head of International Affairs & Alliance.
“We remain committed to bridging Canada, Korea, and Asia through our hub at Incheon Airport.”
A new hub
The additional connectivity will likely support WestJet’s move to Calgary International Airport, announced earlier this week. The agreement establishes further strategic priorities for the carrier to support and develop Alberta’s aviation industry.
Working alongside the government of Alberta-Calgary province, the carrier will establish a home base in Calgary to build a “single global connecting hub” focused on long-haul international travel, unlocking destinations in North America, Europe, and Asia. The carrier has promised to double capacity for medium-range routes out of the city by 2030.
WestJet will base all of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets in Calgary, centralizing its long-haul services as it grows its short and medium-haul Boeing 737 MAX fleet.
“Alberta has been WestJet’s home for 26 years and today’s historic agreement builds upon an existing foundation of low taxes and investment-friendly policies,” noted WestJet chief executive Alexis von Hoensbroech.
“As Western Canada’s home team carrier, Alberta is an area where we want to continue to invest to secure WestJet’s thriving future.”
What are your thoughts on WestJet’s new partnership with Korean Air? Will you be traveling on one of the codeshare flights? Let us know in the comments.