Thursday, May 15, 2025
WestJet strengthens transatlantic connectivity for Canadian travelers with seamless access to over 50 European cities through its expanded partnership with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
In a strategic move to deepen its European reach, WestJet has unveiled a significant expansion of its longstanding codeshare agreements with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. This latest development opens up a more robust and convenient gateway to Europe for travelers connecting through two of the continent’s major aviation hubs—Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
Canadian passengers booking WestJet itineraries can now enjoy the benefits of a single-ticket booking process for multi-leg journeys, coordinated baggage transfers, and the opportunity to earn WestJet Rewards on connecting flights operated by Air France or KLM. These enhancements deliver greater ease and comfort for transatlantic travelers flying between Canada and a growing list of European destinations.
Enhanced Convenience through Paris and Amsterdam
The expanded codeshare arrangement allows WestJet guests to connect effortlessly to more than 50 European cities using CDG and AMS as transit points. Travelers flying on WestJet’s network, especially those departing from key gateways such as Calgary, Halifax, and St. John’s, will be able to experience smooth, same-terminal transfers and unified service standards across all segments of their journeys.
Through this streamlined experience, passengers not only enjoy logistical simplicity but also retain the ability to accumulate points through WestJet’s loyalty program. The integration of check-in, baggage handling, and customer support across three carriers reinforces a cohesive travel experience.
More Europe Now Within Reach from Atlantic Canada
A major highlight of this partnership enhancement is the extended connectivity offered to passengers boarding WestJet’s seasonal direct flights from Halifax to Amsterdam. From AMS, travelers can seamlessly connect to 14 major cities across Europe via KLM’s vast intra-European network. These include high-demand leisure and business destinations across France, Italy, Portugal, Finland, Czechia, and Belgium.
Here is a snapshot of European destinations now accessible via Amsterdam:
This expansion comes at a time when Canadian travelers are increasingly seeking diverse European travel experiences, especially from more accessible eastern gateways such as Halifax.
Air France Expands Reach from Paris for WestJet Guests
Beyond the KLM network from Amsterdam, WestJet guests can also benefit from extended Air France codeshare routes out of Paris. With new destination options now available through Paris Charles de Gaulle, passengers from Calgary, Halifax, and St. John’s have even more to explore in Eastern and Southern Europe. These additions underscore WestJet’s commitment to offering expansive and flexible transatlantic travel options for its customers.
The newly accessible destinations via CDG include:
With this expanded offering, WestJet now enables more seamless access to secondary European cities that are typically underserved by direct long-haul flights from North America. This deepened cooperation positions WestJet as a more competitive player in transatlantic travel, especially for travelers looking to avoid the congestion and complexity of larger airport hubs in Canada or the United States.
A Milestone for Transatlantic Growth and Customer Experience
John Weatherill, WestJet’s Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the importance of this expanded partnership in enhancing the airline’s international footprint. “This codeshare enhancement is another strong example of how WestJet is building upon our global connectivity to benefit Canadian travelers. With access to more than 50 European destinations via two of Europe’s top hubs, our guests can now enjoy a world of travel opportunities—all booked through a single reservation.”
This development aligns with WestJet’s broader strategy of boosting its transatlantic presence by leveraging strong partnerships instead of launching direct services to every destination. By combining its growing fleet and transatlantic capacity with the global reach of Air France and KLM, WestJet offers a highly scalable and cost-efficient model for European travel.
Outlook for Summer 2025 and Beyond
As international travel rebounds in 2025, particularly for leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) segments, this codeshare expansion is poised to meet surging demand. The added connectivity through Paris and Amsterdam caters to a growing number of travelers seeking flexibility, affordability, and convenience—all core tenets of WestJet’s brand.
With Halifax increasingly becoming a vital gateway for East Coast international departures, and Calgary reinforcing its position as a transatlantic hub in Western Canada, WestJet is building a strong east-west dynamic that makes Europe more accessible from coast to coast.
WestJet’s expanded partnership with Air France and KLM is more than just a codeshare—it’s a bold step toward creating a seamless, customer-first transatlantic experience. With over 50 European cities now within easy reach via Paris and Amsterdam, WestJet continues to unlock new travel opportunities for Canadians, all while simplifying the journey and maximizing rewards.
Whether it’s a summer escape to the Italian Riviera, a wine tour through Bordeaux, or a cultural deep dive into Central Europe, Canadian travelers can now take off with ease, confidence, and the convenience of one booking through WestJet.
