WestJet today announced an enhancement to its codeshare agreement with Japan Airlines, enabling the airline's "WS" code on Japan Airlines (JAL) operated flights between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo.

With the addition of Tokyo as a destination available for sale to guests through travel trade partners and on WestJet.com, WestJet guests can now seamlessly book travel to Tokyo via Vancouver from across the airline's domestic network.

"As transpacific air travel increases between Canada and Japan, this is an ideal time to launch this new step in our cooperation with Japan Airlines," said John Weatherill, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer.

"Both our countries have substantial inbound and outbound tourism markets and this enhancement will bring more convenient options to travellers on both sides of the Pacific."

This new development expands the long-standing codeshare agreement between WestJet and Japan airlines which has been in place since 2011.

"Japan Airlines is excited to strengthen our codeshare partnership with WestJet, by offering passengers more opportunities to travel between Japan and Canada,” said Ross Leggett, Deputy SVP of Route Marketing, International Relations and Alliances for Japan Airlines.

“WestJet has been an outstanding partner, and we are committed to offering travellers seamless connectivity."

The codeshare will offer optimized connecting times between WestJet and Japan Airlines flights, through check in and baggage checked to final destination at the first point of departure, and the ability to earn and redeem WestJet Dollars for members of WestJet Rewards.