[mykalberta]

I have to say I am very surprised at the announcement. Given the two buisness models it doesnt seem to fit.

I would have bet any money on a OneWorld partnership.

I dont see how this really benefits Westjet with the exception of a very few number of airports (Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, etc.) as Southwest doesnt serve the type of buisness airports that Westjet has inidicated they want.

The only way I see this really having any material beneifit for Westjet is if Southwest decides to use Westjet as their International Carrier to the carribean etc via the bilaterals 5th freedom (ie Calgary -> Phoenix -> South America). There by keeping Southwests costs low so not introducing International fligths with their own metal and crews and funneling all that to Westjet and having a profit sharing agreement.

Also, strange they made it official now, althought it might be to further entrench in the media's minds that the two respective carriers are the only ones relatively healthy in the buisness.