Airlines Delta and WestJet announce Joint Venture

The airlines have entered into a preliminary memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding their intention to deepen their existing partnership to form a commercial joint venture.

The agreement, which is subject to board approvals, includes coordinated flight schedules for new nonstop flights to new destinations, expanded codesharing and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.

“With its strong brand and employee- and customer-centric culture, WestJet is the perfect partner for us in the U.S.-Canada transborder segment and together we will produce great results for our respective employees, customers and investors,” said Steve Sear, Delta’s President – International and Executive Vice President – Global Sales.  “We look forward to applying Delta’s experience building successful joint venture partnerships to this important segment of transborder travel, the second-largest international segment for U.S. travel.”

The new joint venture will complement Delta Air Lines existing partnerships with other carriers around the world. A first transatlantic partnership between Delta and KLM was launched in 1993.

Delta Air Lines is a major US carrier with hubs in several US cities. The carrier operates a fleet of over 800 aircraft including Airbus, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft.

WestJet is a Canadian low-cost carrier based in Calgary. The airline was founded in 1996 and operates from its hubs in Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto. WestJet has a fleet of 34 Bombardier Dash 8Q400, 115 Boeing 737 and four Boeing 767-300ER. In addition to this, WestJet has ordered 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to expand its long haul operations.