Air India announced the reinstatement of its codeshare agreement with fellow Star Alliance carrier Air Canada to offer more flight options for travelers and boost connectivity between India and Canada. The partnership had been disbanded during the pandemic.
Effective Dec. 2, the agreement enables Air India to offer its customers convenient access to six points across Canada beyond its gateways at Vancouver and London (Heathrow). It allows Air India to place its “AI” designator code on Air Canada-operated flights on the following routes:
- From Vancouver to: Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Halifax
- From London Heathrow to: Vancouver and Calgary
Reciprocally, Air Canada customers will benefit from “seamless” domestic India connectivity to Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kochi via Delhi; and to Delhi and Mumbai via London (Heathrow).
Campbell Wilson, CEO, Air India, said: “More than 2 million people travel between India and Canada every year, as families reunite, students pursue their dreams and businesses build for tomorrow.” The reinstatement of the partnership, he said, “eases journeys for thousands of them every day moving forward.”
Customers with itineraries combining flights operated by Air India and Air Canada can travel on a single ticket and benefit from a unified baggage allowance. Frequent flyers can continue to earn and redeem points/miles on both airlines, and elite status holders of Air India’s Maharaja Club loyalty program continue to enjoy Star Alliance Gold benefits with Air Canada-operated flights, including priority services, extra baggage allowance and complimentary airport lounge access.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the codeshare flights will be progressively made available for sale through the airlines’ respective booking channels and travel agents worldwide.
