• 

  Air Transat

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  TS/TSC

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Year Founded:

  1986

  CEO:

  Annick Guérard

  Country:

  Canada

  Hub(s):

  Montréal–Trudeau International Airport

  Region:

  North America

Air Transat and WestJet have announced a new transatlantic codeshare. WestJet flights will be available for Air Transat connections beginning on May 17, and Air Transat flights will be available from May 4. This is the second codeshare agreement that Air Transat has announced in recent months.

Strengthening connections

Yesterday, WestJet, the second-largest Canadian airline behind Air Canada, announced expanded connectivity for its customers in partnership with Montreal-based AirTransat.

"We are very excited to launch this codeshare agreement with WestJet. The complementarity of our respective networks allows us to offer more alternatives to our customers, providing them with a quality and affordable product. This partnership is part of Air Transat’s development strategy, enhancing our long-standing presence in the transatlantic market." - Michèle Barre, Vice President, Network, Revenue Management and Pricing of Air Transat

This new codeshare agreement gives Canadian passengers a more extensive selection for transatlantic travel and extra conveniences such as single ticket purchase, the ability to check in for all flights at the time of departure from their origin, and baggage checked to their final destination.

“This new codeshare with Air Transat complements our growing global network, allowing WestJet to offer guests exciting new destinations in Europe. As our guests return to travel, these new options will connect North America and Europe in new ways and benefit guests on both sides of the Atlantic.” - John Weatherill, Chief Commercial Officer, WestJet

What does each airline stand to gain from this codeshare?

Once the codeshare is activated, passengers will be able to purchase tickets via the airlines' websites, call centers, travel agencies, and major GDS systems. Below are the routes and destinations where the codeshare applies:

Last year, WestJet only had seven European destinations on its route network and had plans to add London's Heathrow Airport to the list. Although the airline has been adding European destinations to its network, it still has a limited presence in the transatlantic market from Canada. Because Air Transat offers flights to more European destinations, WestJet customers will now have access to a wider variety of transatlantic flights.

Air Transat benefits from the codeshare by gaining access to a more extensive domestic network in Canada. This is a problem that Air Transat had expected would be resolved through an acquisition by Air Canada, which fell through. Air Transat has focused on point-to-point travel, limiting its competitiveness in the transatlantic market.

It serves very niche destinations in Europe, like Malaga in Spain, but access to WestJet's domestic network will make it easier for customers to reach those niche destinations. Codeshare agreements are at the heart of the airline's growth strategy, contribute to the consolidation of its airline network, and strengthen its leadership in its main markets.

Codeshare plans were announced last year

The new codeshare between the two Canadian airlines has been in the plan for some time. In November of last year, the airlines announced plans to launch a codeshare this year.

"This new codeshare with Air Transat complements our world-class Boeing 787 Dreamliners and our strong relationships with leading European airlines. 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." - Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO

Air Transat President and CEO, Annick Guérard, added:

"We are very excited to join forces with WestJet in what I am sure will be a successful collaboration. 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."

Now that the codeshare is in place, it is highly likely that WestJet will see a significant increase in its domestic flights and that Air Transat will see an increase in its transatlantic flights.

Have you flown on either of these Canadian Airlines? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments below.