EL AL Matmid - EL AL and WestJet (Canada) Sign Interline Agreement

EL AL and WestJet, Canada's second largest airline have signed an interline agreement. (http://www.elal.co.il/ELAL/English/AboutElAl/ELAL_News_En_items/EN_Neews_WestJet_220911.htm)

The highlights of the deal:
EL AL pax can purchase tickets directly from the LY website (or via travel agent) for continuing journeys, connecting in YYZ (LY: TLV-YYZ, WS: YYZ-XXX or vice versa) to WestJet's numerous destinations throughout Canada, Florida, and the Caribbean.

Special Offers (valid November 1-30, 2011)

Matmid award booking - only 20% more points to book onward journey with LY/WS
Matmid members - earn 20% additional points when booking onward journey with LY/WS


Shkedi and Gregg Saretsky, CEO of WestJet, also mentioned they hope to one day extend this into a full code-share partnership. (This deal continues the recent trends of both WS and LY. LY is WS's 12th partner in terms of expanding their global presence. For LY, after having already signed a recent interline agreement with B6, WS is another major partner in North America.)

My thoughts: Glad to see LY expanding their reach, though it would be nice to see more relationships similar to the AA/LY relationship. I would like LY to have more airlines on which Matmid points can be redeemed, and more airlines whose miles can be redeemed on LY. But the recent deals with both B6, a force to be reckoned with in the USA, *especially* from their JFK hub, and now Canada's second largest airline definitely show LY's aggressive North American campaign.

The news bulletin mentions an agreement LY recently signed with VX, but to the best of my knowledge, they have none. Any knowledge on the subject?

LY's continuing trend to partner with 'second tier' airlines is interesting. Def shows no desire to eventually join an alliance, which makes sense, given LY's position.

LY's continuing trend to partner with 'second tier' airlines is interesting. Def shows no desire to eventually join an alliance, which makes sense, given LY's position.

I think LY wants to join an alliance, they just know they can't.

As for second tier, while WS is NOT what I think of when I think Canada, they are the second largest airline there. I don't think AC is an option, which makes this the next best option.

(And neither AA nor B6 are second tier.)

LY's continuing trend to partner with 'second tier' airlines is interesting. Def shows no desire to eventually join an alliance, which makes sense, given LY's position.

I think LY wants to join an alliance, they just know they can't.


Why is LY's product so poor compared to the gulf carriers? I would think that israel would want a better national airline to represent them.

As for second tier, while WS is what I think of when I think Canada, they are the second largest airline there. I don't think AC is an option, which makes this the next best option.

:confused:

For national coverage, there are really only two airlines in Canada, with Westjet probably holding some 40% of traffic, albeit more in the West than east.

Makes sense for El Al to partner with WS, practically every airline outside of Star has been relegated to partner with Westjet.

Why is LY's product so poor compared to the gulf carriers? I would think that israel would want a better national airline to represent them.

If you had an answer to that, you'd be a hero on this forum

:confused:

For national coverage, there are really only two airlines in Canada, with Westjet probably holding some 40% of traffic, albeit more in the West than east.

Makes sense for El Al to partner with WS, practically every airline outside of Star has been relegated to partner with Westjet.

I missed a word! I meant, while WS is NOT what I think of when I think Canada, they still are the second largest airline there."

If you had an answer to that, you'd be a hero on this forum



I missed a word! I meant, while WS is NOT what I think of when I think Canada, they still are the second largest airline there."

:D

If you had an answer to that, you'd be a hero on this forum


I think I found my answer somewhere in your words. :D