Virgin & WestJet Expand Codeshare for Canada-UK
Virgin Atlantic and WestJet are set to broaden their planned codeshare agreement, aiming to strengthen business, leisure, and visiting-friends connectivity between Canada and the UK. The expanded partnership will not only ease travel between these two key markets but will also offer seamless onward connections for travelers heading to India, the Middle East, and beyond via London.
Starting in March 2025, Virgin Atlantic will re-launch its Toronto route, marking the airline’s return to any Canadian destination after more than a decade. The new service between London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ) will operate using a mix of aircraft, including the carrier’s Airbus A330neo. This relaunch is a crucial springboard for the codeshare agreement, enabling passengers from various Canadian cities—such as Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Ottawa—to book a single ticket that combines WestJet flights from their origin city to Toronto with Virgin Atlantic flights from Toronto to London.
“We are delighted to expand our partnership with WestJet and support their return to Canada,” said John Weatherill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at WestJet. “Our expanded codeshare agreement will simplify travel and deliver a seamless experience for our shared guests. We are excited to welcome passengers from across Virgin Atlantic’s global network by offering enhanced connectivity within Canada.”
Juha Jarvinen, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, emphasized the significance of the enhanced codeshare in tapping into the Canadian market. “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, along with our partners at Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, will create seamless connectivity for our customers via our new route launching between Toronto and London.”
In a further bid to boost its global network, Virgin Atlantic has ambitious plans for new route launches in 2025. In March 2025, the airline will introduce daily flights between London-Heathrow and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia using Airbus A330neos, bolstering its presence in the Middle Eastern market. Services to Accra in Ghana will commence in May 2025 with Boeing 787 Dreamliners, while later in October 2025, Virgin Atlantic will launch a three-times-weekly service between London and Cancun in Mexico using Airbus A350-1000s. This makes Virgin Atlantic the only carrier to offer direct flights on the London-Cancun route, further expanding its network.
As part of the codeshare expansion, both carriers are working closely with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to co-locate operations in Terminal 3 at Toronto Pearson International Airport. This collaboration will enable efficient baggage transfers between the airlines, ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers connecting between WestJet and Virgin Atlantic flights.
The strengthened codeshare agreement is designed to improve competition on the Canada-UK market by offering premium, personalized service at every stage of the journey. With these new connections and enhanced service offerings, passengers can expect greater flexibility, convenience, and connectivity as they travel across continents. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of international air travel, positioning both Virgin Atlantic and WestJet as leaders in delivering seamless, global connectivity.
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