SAS applies for codeshare with WestJet on Canada-US routes
SAS and WestJet's application reiterated that the codeshare would focus on connecting Canada-Scandinavia traffic.
SAS has filed a request with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to get approval for its proposed codeshare agreement with WestJet, which would allow the Scandinavian airline to place its designator code on 11 of the Canadian carrier’s transborder routes.
On November 28, 2025, SAS asked the DOT to approve its planned codeshare agreement with WestJet, which would cover 11 routes operated by either WestJet or WestJet Encore. The Scandinavian carrier emphasized that since the two airlines plan to implement the agreement “as soon as they have obtained all necessary governmental approvals, they respectfully request expedited treatment” of their application.
SAS noted that while WestJet is not part of SkyTeam, it has close ties to some of the main members of the alliance, including a strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Korean Air, all three of which have a stake in the Canadian carrier.
Air France-KLM has also launched procedures to increase its shareholding in the Scandinavian airline from 19.9% to 60.5% in July, saying that, subject to regulatory approval, the transaction should close in H2 2026.
“The new codeshare authority requested by SAS and WestJet will build on this relationship and create substantial benefits for passengers traveling between Canada and Scandinavia.”
If approved, both airlines will be able to offer a more integrated experience and offer more services, including those to Canada, with the pair stating that the agreement would not target local US passengers. Instead, the codeshare will focus on Canada to Scandinavia connectivity.
SAS and WestJet requested a blanket approval for an indefinite period as long as their agreement remains in effect. The codeshare agreement’s routes are displayed below:
On a related note, on December 1, SAS officially unveiled its codeshare agreement with Aeromexico, another SkyTeam member. Delta Air Lines also owns a 20% stake in the Mexican airline.
Rytis Beresnevicius
The Scandinavian carrier highlighted that with their codeshare agreement now online, its customers can now seamlessly reach Mexico City International Airport (MEX) from Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Oslo Gardemoen Airport (OSL), and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) via multiple points in the US and Toronto, Canada.
Aeromexico’s passengers will have an easier time flying from Mexico to SAS’ main destinations in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
When the two filed for approval of the codeshare agreement in July, they outlined 22 US-Mexico itineraries (not routes), connecting SAS or Aeromexico’s passengers who originate or want to travel to Cancun International Airport (CUN), Guadalajara International Airport (GDL), MEX, and Monterrey International Airport (MTY) through multiple US airports.
Paul Verhagen, the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of SAS, said that the agreement strengthened the airline’s CPH hub, providing access to several destinations in Mexico, including CUN, GDL, MEX, and MTY.
“This expands connectivity to Europe, Asia, and North America. With SAS’ reliable operations and strong on-time performance, journeys remain smooth and predictable.”
Tickets on the codeshare routes have been on sale since December 1, and passengers can book the codeshare flights from December 6.
Cirium’s Diio Mi showed that, per the current schedules, in 2026, SAS does not have any plans to launch direct flights to any airport in Mexico. The carrier’s US network spans 12 routes to nine airports in August 2026, which does not include the winter seasonal route from CPH to Miami International Airport (MIA).
Meanwhile, SAS is planning a single itinerary to Canada, namely its daily flights from CPH to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in August 2026. Could it launch additional routes to Canada?
In June, the two airlines announced an interline agreement, which included the promise that WestJet would place its code on SAS’ flights between CPH and YYZ, as well as on the Scandinavian carrier’s flights from Scandinavia to “key European cities.”
“At the same time, SAS travelers will gain access to WestJet’s growing Canadian domestic network from North American gateways — opening up convenient one-ticket travel to cities like Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Winnipeg.”
According to Statistics Canada, the Canadian statistical agency, non-resident visitors from Northern Europe to Canada have grown from 778,899 in 2022 to just over 1 million in 2024. Arrivals from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden to the US are down 7.8% year-on-year (YoY) between January and October, per the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) data.
WestJet has launched its own seasonal flights from Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) to CPH for the upcoming summer season, utilizing the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to fly the transatlantic trek.
Make of that what you will.
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