American Airlines and WestJet Airlines announced an interline agreement, meaning American Airlines customers traveling to Canada and transferring to a WestJet flight can purchase a single ticket and check bags through to the final destination. The interline connecting itineraries will be available for booking on American's website, as well as through travel agencies and American Airlines Reservations, effective November 9.
The agreement provides American's customers seamless connecting service to 25 new Canadian cities not currently served by American or American Eagle. WestJet serves a total of 31 Canadian cities and 71 destinations in 13 countries.
The connections will first be available through the six gateways in Canada currently served by American or American Eagle - Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Halifax and Ottawa. American and WestJet expect to implement a second phase of their interline relationship in December that will add additional connecting opportunities through WestJet's nonstop U.S. flights to Canadian cities.
"American's interline agreement with WestJet complements our North American network and greatly benefits our customers by offering additional connections to and from new Canadian markets," said Virasb Vahidi, American's Chief Commercial Officer.
"This agreement represents WestJet's first interline with a U.S. carrier and we are excited to be working with such a well established and recognized global airline like American Airlines," said Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet's Executive Vice-President of Strategy and Planning.