EasyJet, Europe’s #2 discount airline has had dreams in the past of crossing the Atlantic, a dream shared by #1 Ryanair. It still hasn’t made the leap itself, but an unusual new partnership will let EasyJet passengers connect with the world through London Gatwick on a single reservation and without having to recheck their bags.
Under the Gatwick Connects scheme, sponsored by the airport, passengers will be able to make a single purchase, have their bags transferred between EasyJet and either Norwegian or Canada’s Westjet for the rest of the trip. While it’s two different airlines, the airport service works as a bridge, and also provides protection in the form of replacement flights, hotel and meal vouchers in the event of missed connections, cancellations or delays.
Norwegian flies to 50 destinations from Gatwick, including Singapore and Buenos Aires, and 16 U.S. cities. Westjet flies to six Canadian cities from there. Norwegian especially has been interested in creating this sort of low-cost alliance, and others may eventually join in.
Photo: Aero Pixels/Wikimedia
