Icelandair and WestJet Plan Broader Canada–Europe Connections

Icelandair and WestJet announced a codeshare agreement on June 8, 2026, aiming to simplify travel between Canada, Iceland and Europe. The airlines signed the deal at the International Air Transport Association's annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro. Icelandair described WestJet as its first Canadian codeshare partner.

Under the plan, travelers would be able to combine flights from both carriers in a single booking, with through check-in and baggage transfers to their final destination. Icelandair's June announcement targeted fall 2026 for bookings to open, subject to regulatory approvals. That was a planned milestone, rather than confirmation that the service had launched.

WestJet said its customers would gain access to more than 10 European destinations through Keflavík International Airport. Travelers flying with Icelandair would gain connections to additional Canadian cities on WestJet's domestic network. The agreement would expand the trips customers could book across the two airlines.

What a codeshare changes#

A codeshare lets one airline sell seats on a flight run by another. WestJet's guide to airline partnerships distinguishes the airline selling the ticket from the carrier that supplies the aircraft, crew and ground support. A flight sold with WestJet's WS code may therefore be flown by a partner.

That is different from an interline booking, where the partner's own flight number identifies its portion of the trip. Both arrangements can bring flights from several airlines into one reservation. A codeshare changes how those flights are sold and displayed; it does not mean the airlines share every onboard service or member benefit.

The distinction also matters for loyalty programs. WestJet's general partner guidance says most benefits tied to elite status or its credit cards require a trip marketed and operated entirely by WestJet. Travelers should check the terms for their booking before assuming a familiar perk applies.

Connecting at Keflavík#

Keflavík is Icelandair's hub, about 31 miles from Reykjavík. The airport has one terminal, but travelers may need to move between different gate areas. Icelandair's connection guide places Canada flights at the D gates on the first floor. Most mainland European flights use the A or C gates upstairs.

The airline estimates that walking between those areas takes about 20 minutes. That estimate covers the walk; travelers still need to follow the boarding time and any border checks required for their route.

Anyone adding a domestic flight within Iceland should pay particular attention to airport codes. Icelandair says passengers continuing from Keflavík to a domestic service at Reykjavík Airport must collect checked bags and transfer between airports. That is a different journey from changing international flights within Keflavík's terminal.

What I'd check before heading to the airport#

WestJet's partner travel guidance tells passengers to check in with the airline operating their first flight. The booking's operating-airline label identifies which carrier to use, even when another airline sold the ticket.

Baggage rules deserve a separate check. A partner's allowances and fees may apply, so having one reservation does not by itself settle how many bags are included. Review the full itinerary, the airline operating each leg and the fare's baggage terms before departure. Those details will shape the airport experience once an eligible trip is available to book.

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