Quantcast

Southwest Airlines announces first international partnership with Icelandair

Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Southwest Airlines announces first international partnership with Icelandair
Research
Webp southwestairlines
Southwest Airlines | Provided Photo

Southwest Airlines is set to embark on its first international airline partnership next month, expanding its list of international gateways to include Denver and Nashville. This development follows the announcement of Baltimore as the initial gateway, paving the way for an interline agreement with Icelandair. The agreement was formalized at a ceremony in Washington.

The partnership will allow Southwest's Rapid Rewards members to redeem points on flights to Iceland and Europe. "Interline partnerships are very common in the airline industry. But it's our first one, so it's very exciting for us," said Andrew Watterson, Southwest's chief operating officer.

Initially, travelers can book itineraries with seamless connections between the two carriers via Icelandair's website starting February. The focus will be on Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport as the U.S. gateway.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Ryan Green, overseeing Southwest's changes announced last year, stated that expansion plans include Denver International Airport and Nashville International Airport. Deeper integration is expected in 2026 when Southwest introduces assigned seating.

The ceremonial launch included gift exchanges and a toast with Brennivin, Iceland's national drink. "This will be a wonderful partnership," said Svanhildur Hólm Valsdóttir, Iceland's ambassador to the U.S.

Southwest aims to announce another international partner in 2025 as part of efforts to offer more destinations through Rapid Rewards. "We're having conversations with both additional transatlantic carriers as well as transpacific carriers," Green mentioned.

In recent years, Southwest has invested significantly in modernizing its technical infrastructure to facilitate such global partnerships and other enhancements like redeye flights.

"This is a new capability we have. And that's what transformation is all about," Watterson noted regarding future expansions.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group recently announced on LinkedIn the celebration of employee participation in the Sue Gin Fund at its Honolulu facility.

Jul 1, 2025

The 2025 Paris Air Show has concluded with numerous orders placed by major aircraft manufacturers including Airbus, ATR, Boeing, and Embraer.

Jul 1, 2025

First class air travel in the United States has seen a decline, yet it remains significant for premium domestic markets.

Jul 1, 2025

Both the IAE V2500 and CFM56 families of engines are widely recognized as successful turbofans in the aviation industry.

Jul 1, 2025

Embraer and CommuteAir have entered into an agreement to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Perot Field Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jul 1, 2025

Boeing has constructed a total of 1,573 Boeing 747 aircraft, including two Air Force One models pending delivery.

Jul 1, 2025