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Southwest expands global reach through new partnerships with China Airlines and Icelandair

Southwest expands global reach through new partnerships with China Airlines and Icelandair
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Webp ryangreen
Ryan Green former Chief Transformation Officer of Southwest Airlines | Southwest Airlines Website

Southwest Airlines has announced new partnerships with China Airlines and Icelandair, expanding its network to include more international destinations. These collaborations aim to provide seamless travel experiences for customers by allowing them to book single-ticket itineraries across multiple airlines.

During the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting on June 2, Southwest Airlines and China Airlines revealed their plans to establish an interline agreement. While the specifics are still being finalized, both airlines have expressed optimism about the potential benefits for travelers. Southwest Airlines COO Andrew Watterson emphasized the value of offering more choices to customers, stating that "Southwest Customers could benefit immediately from having access to connections overseas through China Airlines."

In addition to its partnership with China Airlines, Southwest has also joined forces with Icelandair. This collaboration was officially launched in January 2025 and is designed to facilitate transatlantic travel. Ryan Green, former Chief Transformation Officer of Southwest Airlines, noted that the partnership allows passengers access to new destinations and praised Icelandair's guidance in developing this initiative.

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The Icelandair partnership began operations at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and will expand later this year to include Denver International Airport and Nashville International Airport. Starting July 14, travelers can book Icelandair interline flights from Orlando International Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport, and Raleigh–Durham International Airport.

Data from Cirium’s Diio Mi airline planning tool indicates that Icelandair has scheduled 146 weekly departures from Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport to 15 U.S. destinations in July. At the same time, Southwest maintains a strong presence with over 7,266 weekly departures from six U.S. airports involved in the agreement.

The proposed interline agreement with China Airlines would allow customers to connect flights from four West Coast gateways: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. As of June 2025 schedules show significant activity at these locations with Southwest operating numerous weekly departures.

Overall, these partnerships mark a strategic move by Southwest Airlines to enhance its service offerings by providing more international connectivity options for its customers.

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