WestJet gives guests greater Europe access

Airline strengthens codeshare with Air France providing access to new European destinations from Paris   

CALGARY, April 26, 2019 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced that guests now have convenient access from Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to seven cities in France, Italy and Greece through an expansion to its codeshare relationship with Air France.

The enhanced partnership also provides greater access to Canada for travellers originating from these European points.

"WestJet's deepened codeshare relationship with Air France means guests of both airlines will now enjoy more opportunities to travel between the fantastic destinations in Canada and Europe," said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning and Alliances. "We are thrilled to extend our reach into Europe and provide a seamless travel experience for guests travelling east and west, including reciprocal frequent flyer rewards, one itinerary and bags checked through to destination."

Starting today, guests travelling on WestJet's service to Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) can connect on WestJet codeshare flights operated by Air France to Brest, Biarritz and Montpellier, France along with Italy's Venice, Milan and Rome and Athens, Greece. Future phases will expand WestJet codesharing on Air France operated flights via Paris to additional countries including Austria, Germany and Portugal.

Guests travelling from the above destinations in Europe can connect to WestJet's extensive Canadian network through the airline's hub in Calgary.

WestJet's inaugural Dreamliner flight between Calgary and Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport is set to take-off on May 17, 2019. Flights between the two cities are offered on WestJet's brand-new 787-9 Dreamliner featuring WestJet's Business Cabin including lie-flat pods, dining on demand and WestJet's award-winning caring service.

WestJet and Air France have been codeshare partners since 2013 and the airlines have offered Air France Flying Blue and WestJet Rewards members the reciprocal ability to earn and redeem loyalty rewards since 2017.

Caution regarding forward-looking information
Certain information set forth in this news release is forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond WestJet's control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on WestJet's current forecasts and strategy, the expected demand environment and the utilization of our fleet, but may vary due to factors including, but not limited to, changes in guest demand, delays in aircraft delivery, general economic conditions, competitive environment, receipt of governmental and regulatory approvals, and other factors and risks described in WestJet's public reports and filings which are available under WestJet's profile at sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking information. WestJet does not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward-looking information as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is proud to be recognized for three consecutive years as Best Airline in Canada (2017-19) and awarded among travellers' favourite Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (2019). From 2017-2018, WestJet was also awarded among travellers' favorite Mid-Sized and Low-Cost Airlines in North America. The airline was also recognized among the Economy Class winners in North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018/2017 Winner Among Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines ? North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Winner ? Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership