CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian airline WestJet has signed a new codeshare partnership with Qatar Airways, expanding travel connections between Canada and international destinations through Doha, Qatar. The agreement will allow passengers to book connecting journeys more conveniently, with Winnipeg among 11 Canadian cities included in the expanded network.
Announced on Monday, October 26, 2026, the partnership is designed to improve connectivity for travelers flying between Canada, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. It will initially connect WestJet’s Canadian network with Qatar Airways’ nonstop services between Toronto and Doha and between Montreal and Doha.
Qatar Airways Adds Connections to 11 Canadian Cities
Under the agreement, Qatar Airways will place its airline code on selected WestJet-operated domestic flights departing from Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.
The arrangement will give Qatar Airways passengers access to 11 Canadian destinations through these two major gateways.
The destinations include:
– Vancouver, British Columbia
– Calgary, Alberta
– Edmonton, Alberta
– Halifax, Nova Scotia
– Ottawa, Ontario
– Regina, Saskatchewan
– Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
– St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
– Winnipeg, Manitoba
– Toronto, Ontario
– Montreal, Quebec
For Winnipeg travelers, the partnership provides additional opportunities to connect with Qatar Airways’ international network without having to arrange separate bookings for every leg of a journey.
The agreement does not mean Qatar Airways will operate its own aircraft to all 11 cities. Instead, eligible domestic connections will be operated by WestJet under the codeshare arrangement.
WestJet Passengers Gain Easier Access to Doha
WestJet customers will also benefit from the partnership through access to Qatar Airways’ nonstop flights to Doha from Toronto and Montreal.
Doha serves as a major international hub for Qatar Airways, connecting passengers to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and other parts of the world.
The arrangement is expected to make travel planning more convenient by allowing eligible passengers to book connecting flights on a single ticket.
Passengers traveling on qualifying codeshare itineraries will also benefit from coordinated connections and through-checked baggage. WestJet says travelers will be able to earn WestJet Rewards on their full eligible itinerary.
Qatar Airways Expands Its Canadian Operations
The partnership comes as Qatar Airways increases its flight frequency to Canada.
Beginning October 25, 2026, the airline increased its combined weekly flights to Toronto and Montreal from 12 to 14. Both cities now receive daily service from Doha, providing more opportunities for passengers to connect with the airline’s wider network.
The expanded schedule complements the new codeshare arrangement by offering additional connections between Canadian cities and international destinations.
Partnership Expected to Benefit International Travelers
The agreement reflects both airlines’ efforts to expand their networks through partnerships.
For WestJet, the deal creates additional opportunities to connect Canadian passengers with Qatar Airways’ international destinations through Doha. For Qatar Airways, it expands access to Canadian cities beyond Toronto and Montreal without requiring the airline to operate its own aircraft on every domestic route.
The partnership could be particularly useful for passengers traveling from Winnipeg and other Canadian cities to destinations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Travelers should check their individual itineraries for operating-airline details, baggage conditions and connection times before booking.
When Does the Partnership Begin?
WestJet and Qatar Airways announced that the reciprocal codeshare partnership is scheduled to launch on November 2, 2026, with ticket sales beginning on October 26.
The airlines also indicated that WestJet may add codeshare access to selected destinations beyond Doha in a future phase, potentially expanding the range of international connections available to its customers.
The new agreement represents an expansion of travel options for Canadian passengers, including those in Winnipeg, while strengthening links between Canada’s domestic aviation network and Qatar Airways’ global hub.
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