WestJet and Korean Air have today expanded their long-standing codeshare partnership with the placement of WestJet’s code on Korean Air's flights between Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International airports in Canada, and Incheon International Airport in South Korea.
On Friday (October 7, 2022), WestJet announced an expansion of their long-standing codeshare agreement with Korean Air. WestJet will place their ‘WS’ code on Korean Air’s flights between both Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR) International airports in Canada, and Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea. This is WestJet’s first reciprocal codeshare with an Asian partner. The new codeshared flights are now available for booking on the airline’s website and through all distribution channels. Additionally, WestJet Reward members can now earn and redeem WestJet Dollars on these codeshared routes.
In Friday’s announcment, WestJet’s Chief Commercial Officer, John Weatherill, said,
“It's incredibly exciting for WestJet to codeshare on flights across the Pacific to Asia for the first time. We've had a strong codeshare with Korean since 2012 and we're very pleased to be taking this important step with a world-class partner like Korean. We're looking forward to the new opportunities our now reciprocal codeshare will bring to consumers travelling between Canada and Asia.”
Also commenting on the expanded codeshare partnership, Korean Air’s Senior Vice President and Head of International Affairs & Alliances, Tae Joon Kim, said,
“We are delighted to expand our codeshare partnership with our long-standing partner WestJet, and look forward to delivering unparalleled services across the Pacific to our valued customers. We remain committed to bridging Canada, Korea and Asia through our hub at Incheon Airport.”
Serving the world for over 50 years, Korean Air is one of the world’s top 20 airlines, carrying more than 27 million passengers in 2019. With their global hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, the airline serves over 120 cities in 43 countries on five continents. Korean Air operates a fleet of 150 aircraft and employees over 20,000 professional team members.
In 26 years of service, WestJet has cut airfares for Canadians in half and increased the flying population around Canada by over 50 percent. The airline launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, and has now grown to more than 180 aircraft and 14,000 employees, offering service to 100 destinations in 23 countries (pre-pandemic). Even during the pandemic, WestJet maintained their rating by Cirium as one of the top ten airlines for on-time performance in North America.
Source: WestJet