Virgin Atlantic and WestJet have announced an expansion of their codeshare agreement, set to take effect on March 30. This development coincides with Virgin Atlantic’s introduction of direct flights from London Heathrow Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The expanded agreement will facilitate connections from the United Kingdom to 13 Canadian destinations via Toronto Pearson, including major hubs like Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport. Virgin Atlantic highlighted that both airlines aim to enhance “vital business, leisure, and visiting friends-and-family connections between Canada and the UK and key connecting regions, including India.”
For customer convenience, Virgin Atlantic will operate out of Terminal 3 at Toronto Pearson, aligning with WestJet’s operations. The airline plans to collaborate with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for seamless connectivity under this new arrangement.
This marks Virgin Atlantic’s return to the Canadian market after more than a decade. Previously, in June 2012, the airline launched seasonal flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver International Airport but ceased operations on this route by October 2014. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Virgin Atlantic is re-entering Canada with daily flights starting March 30. Initial fares are set at £490 ($617).
However, data suggests that flight frequency may reduce during winter months due to lower demand. The initial schedule might adjust from daily services to four weekly flights in December through January 2026.
Despite claims of an “expanded codeshare agreement,” both airlines already maintained extensive cooperation based on connections in Calgary. In April 2024 alone, they codeshared on 160 weekly flights from Calgary covering various destinations. With the new focus shifting towards Toronto Pearson as a central hub for their partnership, travelers can expect enhanced connectivity across Canada.
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