WestJet and Qatar Airways Just Opened a Door to Doha

WestJet and Qatar Airways have launched a reciprocal codeshare, with the agreement taking effect on October 26. It is the first time WestJet customers can book codeshare access to Doha. The Canadian Transportation Agency approved the arrangement in a decision on August 10, granting WestJet a licence for codeshare service on routes covered by the Canada-Qatar air transport agreement.

WestJet places its code on Qatar Airways’ nonstop Toronto-Doha and Montreal-Doha flights. In return, Qatar Airways places its code on selected WestJet flights from Toronto and Montreal to 11 Canadian destinations, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, St. John’s and Winnipeg. A later phase will extend WestJet’s code to selected Qatar Airways destinations beyond Doha, though no list or date has been published.

The timing lines up with a capacity increase. Since October 25, Qatar Airways has operated 14 weekly flights to Canada, up from 12. For travellers, the codeshare means a single ticket from smaller Canadian cities to the Gulf and, via Doha, onward connections, rather than separate bookings.

Loyalty details are where the fine print sits. On an itinerary sold under a WestJet flight number, members earn WestJet points on the full trip, but Qatar Airways is not a direct booking partner, so you must book with WestJet to earn them. No reciprocal elite-status recognition has been announced, and most top-tier and WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard benefits apply only to itineraries wholly marketed and operated by WestJet. Check the rules before booking for the points.

Sources: Milesopedia, Travelweek