Summary
- Airlines form strategic partnerships to expand reach, like WestJet and Condor’s new codeshare agreement to give access to Frankfurt.
- WestJet customers will now fly on the latest A330-900neo aircraft as part of the codeshare deal with Condor Airlines in Europe.
- Through a joint codeshare network, WestJet passengers gain direct access to Condor’s flights and seamless connections.
Airlines form all kinds of partnerships and use those agreements to expand their reach without committing aircraft or personnel to the venture. This starts with simple interline contracts and moves to partnerships that are so closely formed that it appears the airlines are in the same group, such as jointly setting fares, aircraft type, schedules and marketing efforts.
To the heart of Europe
Yesterday, Canada’s low-fare airline WestJet announced it had expanded its long-standing interline agreement with German leisure specialist Condor Airlines. Through a new codeshare agreement, WestJet customers can now gain direct access to Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) from five Canadian airports.
Photo: Condor
Like most codeshare deals, WestJet will sell itineraries on flights operated by Condor Airlines (Condor) from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax to Frankfurt Airport. WestJet passengers will enjoy seamless connections by booking a single ticket and having their bags checked through to their destination. WestJet Group Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer John Weatherill said:
“Through the expansion of our partnership with Condor Airlines, we are unlocking amazing opportunities for our guests in Europe and Canada to access an extensive list of tourism destinations on both sides of the Atlantic. Our shared passion for affordable leisure travel has allowed our partnership to evolve to meet the growing demand for transatlantic travel.”
Codeshares are all about sharing the spoils with passengers of both airlines, and Condor guests wanting to explore Canada can use WestJet’s domestic network. Westjet said it would also provide connectivity to the United States for Condor passengers connecting through Toronto, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver later this summer.
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Almost a decade has passed since WestJet first flew to Europe.
The A330neo is a bonus
A side angle is that WestJet passengers will be able to fly on the latest generation Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, painted in Condor’s distinctive liveries. The designs have been inspired by parasols, bath towels and beach chairs, and five different colors are now sighted at airports around the world.
Photo: Kevin Hackert | Shutterstock
The first of the new designs, which signify Condor’s evolution from a leisure airline to an unmistakable vacation brand, was unveiled with the first A330neo delivered in December 2022. According to ch-aviation, Condor has a fleet of 61 aircraft, including 21 Airbus A320-200s (including nine wet-leased), one A320neo, 13 A321-200s, 17 A330-900neos and nine Boeing 757-300s.
Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock
From Condor’s perspective, commercial director Jens Boyd said that with Condor’s return to Calgary, it was “high time” to strengthen ties with WestJet and improve travel for passengers and sales partners. Condor said it is streamlining connections at all Canadian airports by allowing passengers to go to their connecting gate right after immigration without picking up their luggage first.
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The 310-seater widebody offers an impressive 94 premium seats.
Boyd added that everyone will be able to access the joint codeshare network through WetJet.com, and services can be added regardless of where the ticket was booked. Condor operates from 13 airports in Germany and Zurich and Basel in Switzerland to around 90 destinations globally.
Passengers across the WestJet network can now book their complete journey on one ticket through WestJet.com and the WestJet app. Along with the seamless connection in Frankfurt with baggage transfers to Condor, WestJet guests can earn WestJet Dollars throughout their journey.
What do you think of the Condor livery? Let us know in the comments.