Southwest Airlines Plans Second International Partner, Adds Three More Global Gateways
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Southwest Airlines is moving quickly to globalize its reach. The Dallas-based low-cost carrier has revealed plans to partner with Taiwan’s China Airlines and will expand its existing interline arrangement with Icelandair to three new U.S. gateways starting next month. These developments are part of Southwest’s broader strategy to transform from a domestic-focused airline into a player with meaningful international connectivity.
Southwest Eyes Partnership With China Airlines
Southwest Airlines announced Monday it is in advanced talks to launch an interline partnership with China Airlines, marking what would be its second international airline partnership—and its first connection to Asia.
“This initial work to partner with Taiwan-based China Airlines would allow for seamless trans-Pacific journeys across the Southwest network,” said Andrew Watterson, Southwest’s Chief Operating Officer.
The proposed agreement would enable Southwest customers to book China Airlines-operated flights to Taipei (TPE) through Southwest’s own booking channels. While not confirmed yet, the potential for Rapid Rewards points redemptions on China Airlines flights is on the table for the future.
This partnership would mirror the model Southwest has rolled out with Icelandair, which allows customers to book connecting itineraries to Europe, though Rapid Rewards earning/redemption is not yet available on those flights.
China Airlines currently flies to five U.S. airports, any of which could potentially serve as connecting points with Southwest:
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New York (JFK)
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Los Angeles (LAX)
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Ontario (ONT)
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San Francisco (SFO)
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Seattle (SEA)
A Broader Global Strategy
The China Airlines tie-up follows Southwest’s first-ever international airline partnership with Icelandair, announced earlier this year. That relationship was designed to extend Southwest’s footprint across the Atlantic, and it appears to be gaining momentum.
As part of its international expansion strategy, Southwest executives have made clear that more partnerships are likely coming, aligning with sweeping changes to the airline’s historically insular model.
Among the other major changes:
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Assigned seating is coming later this year
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Extra legroom seats are being introduced
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Checked bag fees began on May 28, ending the long-standing “Bags Fly Free” policy
Icelandair Partnership Adds Three More U.S. Gateways
In addition to the China Airlines news, Southwest announced that its partnership with Icelandair will expand to three more U.S. airports starting July 14:
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Orlando (MCO)
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Pittsburgh (PIT)
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Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
These join the existing Icelandair-Southwest interline gateways:
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Denver (DEN)
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Baltimore (BWI)
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Nashville (BNA)
For now, bookings must be made through Icelandair (or third-party platforms like Expedia), and no Rapid Rewards accrual or redemptions are available. However, Southwest has said it hopes to integrate partner flights into its own booking platforms later this year—potentially alongside the debut of assigned seating.
Bottom Line
Southwest Airlines continues to evolve from a point-to-point domestic carrier into a more internationally connected brand, with strategic partnerships opening new doors. Its forthcoming interline agreement with China Airlines could offer Southwest customers one-stop access to Asia for the first time, while its Icelandair deal continues to grow, adding three more U.S. cities to the mix.
Though still early days for these partnerships, they mark a significant shift in Southwest’s once-isolated strategy—one that investors and frequent flyers will be watching closely.
