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.