WestJet announces code-share with China Airlines

Airline expands on long-term partnership

CALGARY, Oct. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced it has entered into a code-share agreement with China Airlines (CI), allowing the carrier to begin marketing and selling WestJet-operated flights. Code-share designations will be available on select WestJet flights from Vancouver and Los Angeles. Bookings can be made through China Airlines or a travel agency.

"We are very excited to announce a code-share partnership with WestJet's oldest interline partner," said Chris Avery, Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances, and Corporate Development. "Just a few years ago, WestJet's agreement with China Airlines laid the groundwork for future interline and code-share agreements as part of our airline partnership strategy. With 38 partnerships now in place, we continue to bring top-quality airlines on board, along with more services to market for the business traveller. The success of this combined strategy plays a part in WestJet's consistently strong results, and this announcement underscores our efforts."

"China Airlines began flying to Canada in 2000 and offers daily non-stop flights from Taipei to Vancouver," said China Airlines' spokesperson Jeffrey Kuo. "We are thrilled to expand our reach in Canada with WestJet's code-share service."

This is the twelfth code-share agreement for WestJet. Since 2011, WestJet has initiated code-shares with American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air and Qantas. Additionally, WestJet has 26 interline relationships, further connecting passengers world-wide to WestJet's network.

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 90 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods  ̶  even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine)
2013 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)
2013 Gold Stevie Award Best Transportation Company (American Business Awards)
2013 Chairman's Circle Award: WestJet Vacations (CPSC)

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About China Airlines:
Founded in 1959, China Airlines is Taiwan's largest airline with a fleet of 90 aircraft and more than 11,000 employees worldwide. As one of SkyTeam airline alliance's 20 members, China Airlines offers passengers access to an extensive global network of more than 16,000 daily flights to 1,052 destinations in 177 countries. China Airlines has been named the "Best Airline in North Asia" by U.S.-based Global Traveler magazine. As part of the introduction of the B777-300 fleet, China Airlines will launch next-generation services in 2014 to continue promoting superior aviation safety as well as an eco-friendly, innovative and attentive service that provide travelers with a perfect travel experience. For more: http://www.china-airlines.com

SOURCE: WestJet