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WestJet and Virgin Atlantic have dramatically expanded their loyalty partnership, giving members of both airlines’ programs new ways to earn and redeem points across key long-haul routes linking Canada, London and major leisure hubs in the Middle East, Indian Ocean and Southern Africa.
New Reciprocal Earning Across Both Networks
Effective February 17, 2026, WestJet Rewards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members can now earn points on each other’s entire operated networks, deepening a relationship that previously focused on codesharing without full-scale loyalty reciprocity.
The move means a WestJet Rewards member flying on a Virgin Atlantic ticket, or a Flying Club member traveling on WestJet metal, can credit their trip to their preferred home program while retaining access to the combined transatlantic schedule between Canada and the United Kingdom.
For Virgin Atlantic, the enhancement strengthens its presence in the Canadian market, particularly around Toronto, while WestJet gains greater appeal for international travelers who already collect Virgin Points and now see more value in choosing WestJet for domestic and transborder connections.
The partnership also comes as both airlines seek to differentiate their loyalty offerings in a crowded marketplace, positioning reciprocal earn as a core benefit for frequent travelers who value flexibility over rigid, single-carrier schemes.
Redeem WestJet Points to Dubai, Maldives and South Africa
Alongside expanded earning, WestJet has unlocked new long-haul redemption options on Virgin Atlantic-operated flights via London Heathrow, markedly increasing the reach of its rewards program into high-demand leisure destinations.
WestJet Rewards members can now use points as a form of payment on WestJet-marketed codeshare flights from Canada through London to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Malé in the Maldives, Cape Town in South Africa and Johannesburg in South Africa.
These routes place WestJet squarely into some of the most aspirational markets in global leisure travel, where nonstop Canadian competition is limited and demand for premium cabins and winter sun getaways remains strong.
By pricing these trips in WestJet points rather than in a separate partner currency, the carrier simplifies the experience for its members, who can build a single balance and then tap into Virgin Atlantic’s long-haul network without learning a new award chart or managing multiple accounts.
London Heathrow at the Heart of the Partnership
London Heathrow sits at the center of the expanded cooperation, acting as the primary connecting hub between WestJet’s Canadian network and Virgin Atlantic’s extensive portfolio of Middle Eastern, Indian Ocean and African destinations.
The Toronto to London service, operated by Virgin Atlantic and sold by both carriers, functions as a key bridge for Canadian travelers who begin their journey on WestJet and then continue onward from Heathrow to Dubai, the Maldives or South Africa on Virgin Atlantic flights.
For Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members, the arrangement enhances connectivity beyond London into WestJet’s domestic and regional Canadian network, offering more options to reach cities across the country while continuing to earn Virgin Points on itineraries that include WestJet legs.
The collaboration underscores how transatlantic hubs such as Heathrow remain critical for airlines that do not operate an extensive global network on their own but rely on carefully structured partnerships to offer seamless one-stop access to far-flung destinations.
Strategic Milestone for WestJet’s Revamped Rewards Program
The Virgin Atlantic tie-up marks WestJet’s first new reciprocal airline loyalty partnership in nearly a decade and its first such deal since overhauling WestJet Rewards in 2025, when it shifted from WestJet dollars to a points-based structure with expanded earn and burn opportunities.
That redesign introduced points that do not expire, more nonflight earning avenues and the ability to progress through status tiers via a combination of flying and everyday spending, laying the groundwork for deeper collaborations with global partners.
Integrating Virgin Atlantic at this stage signals WestJet’s ambition to position its loyalty program as a true travel currency rather than a strictly domestic rebate scheme, allowing members to turn Canadian flights and daily spend into long-haul redemptions across multiple continents.
For frequent flyers weighing which airline to back as their primary program, the presence of marquee redemption options such as Dubai, the Maldives, Cape Town and Johannesburg can tilt the balance in favor of WestJet when planning future travel.
Competitive Implications for Transatlantic and Leisure Markets
The expanded loyalty cooperation also carries competitive implications on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly in the contest for Canadian travelers heading to Europe and beyond and for UK and European customers eyeing North American itineraries.
By pairing WestJet’s growing Canadian footprint with Virgin Atlantic’s strengths from London to major leisure destinations, the two carriers are building a value proposition aimed squarely at travelers who want one-stop access and meaningful loyalty rewards without committing to a traditional global alliance.
The partnership increases pressure on rival carriers and alliances that rely on more fragmented loyalty relationships, as passengers increasingly expect to earn and redeem a single currency across complex multi-carrier itineraries.
For destinations such as Dubai, the Maldives, Cape Town and Johannesburg, the move could bring incremental visitor flows from Canada by lowering the practical cost of long-haul travel for points-savvy consumers, reinforcing the role of loyalty programs as demand drivers in global tourism.