Air India Guests Now Get Faster Access to 17 Canadian Cities

The Essentials

• Air India has entered into an interline partnership with Canada’s WestJet to expand its connectivity across the North American continent.
• This agreement allows passengers from India to book a single-ticket journey to 31 additional destinations across Canada and the United States.
• Travellers benefit from coordinated baggage handling and easier transfers when flying through Vancouver, Toronto, or select European hubs.

The Pulse

Passengers travelling from India now have access to 31 additional destinations across North America through a new partnership with WestJet. This arrangement enables single-ticket itineraries, meaning those flying from Indian cities do not need to re-book or check in luggage multiple times during their journey.

To answer a common search query: how do I book Air India flights to smaller Canadian cities? You can now book these combined itineraries directly through the Air India website, mobile app, or via travel agents worldwide. This makes travel to places like Saskatoon or Halifax far more straightforward for the Indian diaspora.

Air India currently operates 17 weekly non-stop flights from India to Canada, including daily services to Vancouver and ten weekly flights to Toronto. The partnership also extends to European gateways, allowing connections through London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Paris and Amsterdam.

By aligning with WestJet, Air India is simplifying the end-to-end journey for those visiting high-demand destinations beyond the major hubs. This move caters to the growing volume of trade and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

The Snapshot

The Big Picture

This move signals Air India’s strategy to regain its dominance in the long-haul market, competing directly with Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates and Etihad. While Gulf airlines often require two stops for secondary North American cities, this partnership streamlines the process for the Indian diaspora. As more Indians travel for education and work in Canada, creating a hub-and-spoke model via Toronto and Vancouver is a practical necessity. It reflects a broader trend of Indian airlines focusing on one-ticket convenience to win back premium international traffic from global competitors.

The Inside Intel

Air India’s reach extends far beyond North America; it currently operates 75 weekly services to European gateways like London, Paris and Amsterdam. This partnership allows Indian travellers to reach Canadian cities like Halifax and St. John’s by flying through London Heathrow or Gatwick instead of the traditional Pacific route. This provides a unique alternative for those who prefer breaking their long journey in Europe rather than transit via the United States or mainland Canada.

The UDHQ. Take

Unbox Daily HQ. views this partnership as a significant win for the Indian diaspora and business travellers who often find transit through North American hubs a logistical headache. By removing the need to collect and re-check bags at major entry points, Air India is addressing a major pain point for families and elderly passengers.

It is a high-value move that makes Air India a more competitive choice compared to foreign carriers. While direct flights to every city are impossible, the ability to reach places like Nashville or Victoria on a single PNR offers peace of mind that was previously missing. For the middle-class Indian traveller, this is about reducing friction without necessarily increasing the cost of the ticket. It positions Air India as a truly global player that understands the geographical spread of its customers across the Canadian provinces.

Best for: Indian students and families in Punjab or Delhi who have relatives in smaller Canadian provinces like Saskatchewan or Nova Scotia.

Who Is This For: Perfect for 18–65 year olds travelling between India and North American urban centres for family visits or education who want to avoid the stress of multiple check-ins.

The Checkout

Air India

The Source

Air India | WestJet Global