Summary

  • Enhanced air connectivity for the North, unlocking tourism and business opportunities.
  • WestJet and Air North’s codeshare deal provides seamless travel for remote passengers.
  • Single ticket booking for passengers to connect over 100 WestJet destinations from Northern Canada.

In a very clear demonstration of the potential codeshare agreements can bring to customers, Westjet and Air North have announced a new deal that will bring greater connectivity to the people of Northern Canada while opening up the region to many more visitors to explore.

More connections up north

The value of air connectivity is especially relevant to remote communities, who often have to make an arduous journey to get to a central hub for their onward flights. While that may not change, it will become an easier and seamless process for passengers of both airlines, who can now connect with a single check-in point and bag drop.

WestJet Boeing 737 MAX

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

WestJet announced that starting Wednesday, customers can book a single ticket with a connected itinerary between WestJet’s global network and the Yukon and Northern Territories with single-point check-in and through-checked bags for connecting itineraries.

Air North Boeing 737-500

Photo: Air North

Air North currently operates to 12 Canadian destinations, including four Northern communities in the Yukon and Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Its destinations include Yellowknife, Old Crow and Whitehorse, and the connecting hubs of Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa and Edmonton.

Air North CEO Joe Sparling said that safe, affordable and seamless air travel is a necessity rather than a luxury for northerners.

“This interline agreement will provide enhanced access to and from the rest of the world for Yukoners and for visitors to the Yukon and [we] are confident that, by doing so, it will provide significant benefits to Yukoners, for visitors to the Yukon and for Air North and WestJet.”

Air North Yukon 07-29-24-air-north-thumbnail (1)

Photo: Air North

Redefining air travel

Fleet data from ch-aviation shows that AirNorth has 11 aircraft, including seven Boeing 737s and four ATR 42-300 turboprops. For aviation buffs, the 737 fleet might offer some new types to experience, as it includes one 737-400, four 737-500s and two 737-800s, while one ATR 42 is listed as a freighter.

Air North ATR Oversized and Special Cargo-1

Photo: Air North

With one booking and bag drop, passengers from Northern Canada can seamlessly connect to more than 100 WestJet destinations. They include popular tourism hubs in Asia, Europe and the US through Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton or Toronto from Whitehorse or Yellowknife.

WestJet Boeing 737 MAX 8 departing from Calgary International Airport.

Photo: Welshboy2020 | Shutterstock

The codeshare agreement will make it easier for WestJet passengers from those 100 destinations to book a single ticket to some of Canada’s most remote communities. For example, it will be a seamless journey for travelers from London, Paris, Los Angeles or Phoenix to all that Northern Canada has to offer, opening up more economic and tourism opportunities in the region.

Related

WestJet Launches Daily Dash 8-Q400s Between Seattle And Kelowna

WestJet is adding another connection in Western Canada, with a new route between Kelowna and Seattle.

WestJet Director, Alliances and Airport Affairs Jared Mikoch-Gerke said the new deal is the only full large carrier interline agreement to Northern Canada. He believes it will “redefine air travel to the Yukon and Northwest Territories” by igniting important new tourism and business travel opportunities and unlocking more seamless travel for education, medical and cargo services to reach remote communities.

Serving more than 100 destinations, Westjet has a mixed fleet of around 180 single-aisle and widebody aircraft, including 47 De Havilland Dash 8-Q400s on wet leases from WestJet Encore. The balance of the fleet includes Boeing 737-700s, 737-800s, 737 MAX 8s and 787-9 Dreamliners.

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