Key Takeaways
• WestJet expands codeshare with Air France and KLM, now covering 59 European cities from Canada as of May 15, 2025.
• Delta Air Lines and Korean Air invest US$550 million, acquiring a combined 25% share in WestJet just days before the codeshare expansion.
• Travelers benefit from seamless bookings, automatic baggage transfer, and increased WestJet Rewards points when flying on partner airlines through the expanded alliance.
WestJet has taken bold steps in building stronger international links by deepening its partnerships with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, only a few days after Delta Air Lines and Korean Air invested a large sum in WestJet’s ownership. These moves have important results for people flying between Canada, Europe, the United States, and Asia. Each detail shows how airlines are working together to make trips smoother, offer more destinations, and give better rewards to travelers.
WestJet Expands Codeshare Partnership with Air France and KLM
On May 15, 2025, WestJet shared news about the major expansion of its codeshare deals with Air France and KLM. Codeshare agreements allow one airline to sell seats on another airline’s flight as if it were its own. For travelers, this means a simpler experience, because you only need to book one ticket, check your bags once, and you can earn points from the same rewards program even if you are on a partner airline.
Through this new expansion, WestJet customers in Canada have easy access to 59 cities across Europe by flying first to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (known as CDG) or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), then connecting onto Air France or KLM flights. This makes it much simpler for people to book flights from cities like Calgary, Halifax, and St. John’s to many important places in Europe without needing separate tickets or worrying about luggage going missing during layovers.
Let’s break down the benefits you get from this expanded partnership:
- You can book journeys with several flights on different airlines using just one ticket. This means less time sorting out paperwork and more peace of mind.
- If you are taking connecting flights, your bags will be automatically moved to the next plane, even if it’s operated by a different partner.
– You can keep collecting WestJet Rewards points even when flying on Air France or KLM for part of your trip. - You won’t have to rush between different terminals to catch your connecting flight; partner flights often arrive and leave from the same part of the airport.
All of this makes long-distance travel less stressful. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes mark a new level of convenience and choice for travelers wanting to explore Europe from Canada with confidence.
Canadian Travelers Gain Easy Access to More European Cities
Before this agreement, WestJet already offered some overseas routes. Now, they are opening the door to even more places. For example, if you are flying from Halifax directly to Amsterdam on WestJet, you can easily reach 14 more European cities with a simple connection on KLM.
Here is just a sample of the cities you can now fly to with little hassle:
- In Belgium, you can land in Brussels.
- In the Czech Republic, Prague is now easily reached.
- Helsinki in Finland opens up, too.
- If you want to visit France, you can fly to Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Paris itself, Rennes, or Toulouse.
- Italy is now at your fingertips with flights to Bologna, Florence, and Milan.
- You could enjoy the sun in Lisbon or Porto in Portugal.
These are just some of the new cities you can reach without booking a bunch of separate flights or going through difficult connections. WestJet’s partnership with Air France and KLM has made Europe much closer for travelers in Canada.
And it doesn’t stop in Amsterdam. With Air France, you can also reach many more places through Paris Charles de Gaulle, one of the busiest and best-connected airports in the world. This means flying from Canada to almost any corner of Europe has suddenly become much easier and more reliable.
How WestJet’s Expansion Connects With Delta Air Lines and Korean Air Investment
The codeshare expansion comes just after a major financial move involving Delta Air Lines and Korean Air. On May 9, 2025, it was announced that these two global airlines would buy a combined 25% share of WestJet for a total of US$550 million. This was a big moment because it showed some of the world’s largest air carriers see strong potential in WestJet and its future.
Breaking down the deal:
– Delta Air Lines is investing US$330 million, which gives it a 15% share in WestJet.
– Korean Air is putting in US$220 million to get a 10% share.
– Delta Air Lines also plans to transfer a 2.3% share to their joint venture partner Air France-KLM, selling this for US$50 million. Of course, this still needs approval from regulators.
These moves are not isolated. Delta Air Lines and WestJet have worked together through a codeshare agreement since 2011, while Korean Air and WestJet have done the same since 2012. This new investment simply brings them closer, building stronger links between flight networks in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia.
What’s behind this financial move? For WestJet, it means not only new routes and easier travel, but also a much stronger position when competing with other big airlines. For Delta Air Lines and Korean Air, owning part of WestJet means they can better serve travelers moving between North America, Europe, and Asia, making it easy for people to choose these airlines when they need to go further.
For sturdy evidence of the partnership details and the impact of these investments, you can visit the official Air France-KLM Group website that outlines their partnerships and codeshare agreements.
More Points and Greater Benefits for WestJet Rewards Members
Many travelers enroll in frequent flyer programs, hoping to get the most out of every trip. WestJet Rewards works like this. The expanded codeshare and new investments also bring good news for members of this program.
When you fly on a KLM flight that is sold under its own name (“KLM-marketed”), as opposed to a ticket resold by another airline, you get WestJet points based on how far you travel and the class of your ticket. This lets you build up rewards even while you are flying with KLM in Europe after a WestJet flight from Canada.
For the most loyal travelers, WestJet offers “elite” statuses: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each level comes with stronger benefits. For example:
– Silver Members get 50% more WestJet points when they travel.
– Gold Members earn 75% more WestJet points.
– Platinum Members double their points with a 100% bonus.
So if you regularly fly with WestJet or its codeshare partners like Air France and KLM, you can now collect points faster than ever, whether you are flying to Paris, Amsterdam, or continuing your journey to another city in Europe. This makes it much more appealing to stay loyal to WestJet and its partners because each trip takes you much closer to free flights or upgrades.
Immediate and Longer-Term Impact for Travelers and Airlines
Let’s take a look at why these changes matter for people traveling and for airline companies.
For travelers:
– You have many more choices of cities in Europe to visit with only a single booking. That saves you time and trouble.
– Your travel is more relaxed since you don’t have to worry about rechecking bags or missing flights because of terminal changes at large airports.
– The chance to earn more points and rewards makes every trip more rewarding, especially if you travel a lot.
For WestJet, Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air:
– They’ve created a bigger network together, meaning they can compete with other large airline groups for international travel.
– For WestJet, the investment brings in more money, which can be used to improve services or add new routes.
– The partnership helps airlines fill more seats as travelers prefer to book with networks that make their trips easier and faster.
This is especially important given the tough competition among airlines in the transatlantic market. By working closely, they can better handle changing travel trends, deal with slow seasons, and offer new deals to attract more passengers.
Some Doubts and Discussions
While most see this partnership expansion and investment as a welcome move, some travelers and airline experts are watching closely for a few reasons.
- Will prices rise? Sometimes, when several airlines work together and cover vast routes, it lowers competition, so some worry tickets could cost more. But with new partners and more rewards, higher value may outweigh potential fare changes.
- Will service improve or just stay the same? People hope these partnerships will actually make flights smoother, without confusion or delay. Time will tell if these goals are reached.
However, by making it possible to book cross-Atlantic trips with one ticket and guaranteeing baggage transfer, these alliances are making things certainly easier for now.
Strategy for Growth: WestJet’s International Plan
Bringing all these facts together, it’s clear WestJet is trying to become a bigger player in the world of international travel. The timing of the expanded codeshare—just days after Delta Air Lines and Korean Air invested money—suggests careful planning.
- More direct and connecting flights help WestJet stand out to people who might have picked a different airline before.
- Frequent flyer perks are now even better for WestJet Rewards members, showing that customer loyalty is a major goal.
- The focus on big European hubs like Paris and Amsterdam means travelers can easily reach almost any city in Europe.
- Better cooperation with Delta Air Lines and Korean Air opens doors for even more cross-border flights soon, possibly to Asia as well.
WestJet is using its tight links with trusted airlines like Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air to turn itself from a mostly Canadian airline into a true international connector.
What It Means for Immigration and Global Mobility
For people thinking about immigration or long-term moves between Canada, Europe, and even Asia, these agreements play a subtle but important role. When airlines work together well, it’s easier for people to:
– Visit possible new homes in Europe quickly before a major move.
– Keep in close touch with family across continents without a lot of headaches.
– Attend interviews or manage business across borders as part of a new life in another country.
Improved flight connections mean less travel time, fewer delays, and richer choices for those who need to split their lives between countries. Combined with easy baggage handling and simple booking, this can reduce some of the stress families and newcomers often feel.
Where to Learn More and Book
If you want full details about codeshare agreements and how they impact your travel plans, find them on the official WestJet codeshare page. There, you’ll see which airlines are partnered and how you can make your next trip as smooth as possible.
Summary of Key Points
- WestJet has expanded partnerships with Air France and KLM, making travel between Canada and 59 cities in Europe faster and easier.
- Delta Air Lines and Korean Air are investing heavily in WestJet, showing strong belief in further growth and closer global links.
- Travelers benefit from simple booking, smooth baggage transfers, and a chance to earn more WestJet Rewards points, especially if they are frequent flyers.
- These expansions mean easier access for Canadian travelers to cities all over Europe, via two of Europe’s largest airports—Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol.
- The deals help WestJet grow its international brand while giving travelers new choices, better rewards, and less hassle on every trip.
Looking ahead, the close links between WestJet, Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air set the stage for even more collaboration, new routes, and changing the way people approach both travel and immigration between continents.
Learn Today
Codeshare Agreement → A partnership where airlines sell seats on each other’s flights, simplifying booking and connecting flights for passengers with one ticket.
Frequent Flyer Program → A rewards system allowing travelers to earn points or miles by flying, redeemable for free flights, upgrades, or other benefits.
Elite Status → Higher membership tiers in rewards programs, such as Silver, Gold, or Platinum, offering increased points, privileges, and exclusive perks.
Transatlantic Market → The airline market connecting North America and Europe, usually involving flights crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Regulators → Government authorities responsible for approving airline investments, mergers, and ensuring fair competition within the aviation industry.
This Article in a Nutshell
WestJet’s deeper partnership with Air France and KLM, right after major investment from Delta and Korean Air, opens 59 European destinations for Canadians. This alliance brings smoother connections, easier bookings, and more rewards, highlighting a new era of international travel convenience and expanded opportunities for frequent flyers and immigrants alike.
— By VisaVerge.com
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