Delta Air Lines and WestJet have agreed to deepen their existing partnership by entering into a comprehensive transborder joint venture that will increase travel choices between the U.S. and Canada.

The airlines have entered into a preliminary memorandum of understanding regarding their intention to deepen their existing partnership to form a commercial joint venture arrangement, which will offer customers access to an extensive transborder route network, world-class airline products, enhanced frequent flyer benefits, shared airport facilities and amenities, and a more seamless travel experience.

Highlights of the planned joint venture arrangement, subject to board approvals, execution of definitive agreements and applicable regulatory approvals, in the United States and Canada, include:

Coordinated flight schedules for new nonstop flights to new destinations, expanded codesharing, and seamless and convenient connections on the airlines' extensive networks in the U.S. and Canada.

Enhanced frequent flyer benefits including reciprocal benefits for top-tier members of both airlines.

"With its strong brand and employee- and customer-centric culture, WestJet is the perfect partner for us in the U.S.-Canada transborder segment and together we will produce great results for our respective employees, customers and investors," said Steve Sear, Delta's President - International and Executive Vice President - Global Sales. "We look forward to applying Delta's experience building successful joint venture partnerships to this important segment of transborder travel, the second-largest international segment for U.S. travel."

"This agreement will bring heightened competition and an enriched product offering to the transborder segment, both of which will benefit our guests," said Ed Sims, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "This is an important step in WestJet's mission to become a global airline. We are delighted to be working with the premier U.S. carrier, Delta Air Lines, in this joint venture."

Contributed by Delta Airlines