You've landed on the right page if you're curious about Southwest Airlines' partners! For a long time, Southwest was known for its "go it alone" philosophy, focusing solely on its robust domestic network. However, the times are changing, and so is Southwest's strategy. They are now actively expanding their global reach through strategic interline partnerships. This is a significant shift, offering exciting new possibilities for travelers.
So, let's dive deep and discover exactly who Southwest Airlines partners with and what that means for your travel plans!
Step 1: Are You Ready to Expand Your Travel Horizons?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, take a moment to consider your travel aspirations. Have you always wanted to explore beyond the borders of the United States on a single ticket with the convenience you've come to expect from Southwest? Perhaps a trip to the land of ice and fire, or even further afield to Asia? If so, then understanding Southwest's partners is crucial for you!
This guide will illuminate how these partnerships work and how you can leverage them for more seamless international journeys. Let's get started!
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| Who Are Southwest Airlines Partners |
Step 2: Unpacking Southwest's Recent Partnership Strategy
For decades, Southwest Airlines operated primarily as a point-to-point domestic carrier, famously avoiding traditional codeshare and interline agreements common among most major airlines. This was part of their low-cost, high-efficiency model. However, to offer more choices and expand their network internationally, Southwest has embraced a new approach: interline agreements.
What is an Interline Agreement?
An interline agreement is a less complex form of partnership than a codeshare. In an interline agreement:
Airlines sell tickets on each other's flights. This means you can book an itinerary that includes segments on both Southwest and a partner airline under a single ticket.
Passengers and their checked baggage can be coordinated. This allows for a more seamless transfer between flights operated by two different carriers as part of the same itinerary.
Crucially, it does NOT involve one airline placing its designator code on another airline's flight. This is the key difference from a codeshare.
This new strategy allows Southwest to connect its vast domestic network with international destinations without fully integrating complex systems or sharing flight codes. It's about providing connectivity and convenience for customers looking to travel further.
Step 3: Meet Southwest's Current International Interline Partners
As of mid-2025, Southwest Airlines has officially launched its first international interline partnerships, with more on the horizon. These agreements mark a significant milestone in Southwest's evolution.
Sub-heading: Icelandair: Your Gateway to Europe
Southwest's first official international interline partner is Icelandair. This partnership launched in February 2025, opening up exciting possibilities for travel between the U.S. and Europe.
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
How it Works: You can book itineraries that combine Southwest flights within the U.S. with Icelandair flights to and from Europe. Initially, these bookings are primarily available through Icelandair's website and other third-party booking channels. Southwest aims to eventually offer these bookings directly on Southwest.com.
Key Connection Points: The initial gateway cities for connecting between Southwest and Icelandair include:
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (as of February 2025)
Denver International Airport (DEN) (as of May 2025)
Nashville International Airport (BNA) (as of May 2025)
Beginning July 14, 2025, additional connection points are being added at Orlando International Airport (MCO), Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
Rapid Rewards Benefits: A fantastic benefit of this partnership is that Rapid Rewards® Members who book an itinerary through Icelandair that includes a Southwest Airlines-operated segment can earn Rapid Rewards points on the Southwest portion of their journey.
Sub-heading: China Airlines: Bridging the Pacific
Looking further east, Southwest has also announced a future interline partnership with China Airlines (CAL), a Taiwan-based carrier. This is a major step for Southwest into the trans-Pacific market.
Planned Launch: Published connections for this partnership are expected to go on sale later in 2025, with service operating in early 2026.
Seamless Connections: This agreement aims to provide seamless trans-Pacific journeys across the Southwest network. China Airlines' customers will be able to connect from their West Coast destination points onto the Southwest network.
Key West Coast Gateways: The initial shared gateways for this partnership are expected to be:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Future Rapid Rewards Integration: Eventually, Southwest anticipates that Rapid Rewards members will be able to redeem points on China Airlines-operated trans-Pacific flights booked through this partnership.
Step 4: Understanding the Scope of Southwest's Partnerships
It's important to differentiate between traditional airline alliances and Southwest's current partnership model. Southwest is not part of a major global airline alliance like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. Their partnerships are bilateral interline agreements, meaning they are direct agreements with specific airlines, not a broader network.
Sub-heading: No Codeshare Yet (Mostly)
While Southwest is now forming interline agreements, it's generally not entering into codeshare agreements in the traditional sense, where one airline markets and sells flights operated by another under its own flight number. The focus remains on connecting itineraries.
Historical Context: Southwest did have a brief codeshare agreement with ATA Airlines in the mid-2000s, but this was an exception rather than the rule. Their current strategy is specifically geared towards interlining.
Step 5: Leveraging Southwest's Loyalty Program with Partners
Beyond the flight partnerships, Southwest's Rapid Rewards program offers numerous ways to earn and redeem points with a wide array of non-airline partners. These are primarily focused on everyday spending and travel-related services.
Sub-heading: Hotel Partners
You can earn Rapid Rewards points when you stay with Southwest's hotel partners. This is a great way to accumulate points even when you're not flying. Some prominent hotel partners include:
Marriott Bonvoy™: Earn points for qualifying stays and even convert Marriott Bonvoy points to Rapid Rewards.
Choice Hotels®: Exchange Choice Privileges® points for Rapid Rewards points.
Best Western®
Hyatt®
MGM Resorts®
Radisson Hotels
Sub-heading: Car Rental Partners
Renting a car? You can earn Rapid Rewards points with a variety of car rental companies, often even without booking a flight.
QuickTip: Pause when something feels important.
Alamo
Avis Budget*
Dollar
Hertz
National
Payless
Thrifty
Sub-heading: Shopping & Dining Partners
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Southwest has a robust network of partners where you can earn points on your everyday purchases and dining experiences.
Rapid Rewards Shopping: This online portal allows you to earn points at hundreds of popular online retailers (e.g., Macy's, Sephora, Staples).
Rapid Rewards Dining: Earn points by dining at participating restaurants and bars.
1-800-Flowers.com®: Earn points on floral arrangements and gourmet gifts.
Harry & David®: Get points for delicious gourmet gifts.
Laithwaites: Earn bonus points with introductory wine club cases and points on future purchases.
Sub-heading: Credit Card Partners
One of the most popular ways to earn Rapid Rewards points is through Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Cards issued by Chase. These cards often come with lucrative sign-up bonuses and ongoing earning opportunities on Southwest purchases and everyday spending. They can also help you earn Companion Pass qualifying points.
Sub-heading: Home and Energy Partners & Specialty Partners
Southwest also partners with various other businesses, including home and energy providers and specialty retailers, where you can earn additional points. Check the Rapid Rewards website for the most up-to-date list.
Step 6: How to Book with Southwest's Interline Partners
Booking with Southwest's new interline partners might feel a little different than a typical Southwest-only flight, especially in the initial stages.
Sub-heading: Booking with Icelandair
Through Icelandair's Channels: Currently, the primary way to book an itinerary combining Southwest and Icelandair flights is directly through Icelandair's website or through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia.
What to Look For: When searching, ensure the itinerary clearly shows segments on both Icelandair and Southwest.
Future on Southwest.com: Southwest has stated that eventually, these interline itineraries will also be bookable directly on Southwest.com. Keep an eye out for these updates!
Adding Your Rapid Rewards Number: When booking via Icelandair or an OTA, ensure you add your Rapid Rewards number to your reservation to earn points on the Southwest-operated segments.
Sub-heading: Booking with China Airlines
Anticipate Later in 2025: As the China Airlines partnership is still in development for sales later in 2025 (with service in early 2026), exact booking procedures are still being finalized.
Expect Similar Processes: It's reasonable to expect a similar initial approach as with Icelandair, where bookings will likely be available through China Airlines' channels and third-party sites first, with Southwest.com integration to follow.
Step 7: Maximizing Your Benefits with Southwest Partners
Tip: Stop when you find something useful.
Now that you know who Southwest partners with, here are some tips to make the most of these relationships:
Join Rapid Rewards: If you haven't already, sign up for the free Southwest Rapid Rewards program. This is essential for earning points on eligible partner activities.
Cross-Reference Fares: Always compare fares when booking international travel. Sometimes, booking separate tickets might be cheaper, but the convenience of interlining and baggage transfer can be invaluable.
Read the Fine Print: For each partnership, especially with earning points, always check the specific terms and conditions on Southwest's Rapid Rewards partner pages. Earning rates and eligibility can vary.
Stay Informed: Southwest is actively expanding its partnerships. Keep an eye on their official announcements and their "Airline Partnerships" page on Southwest.com for the latest updates.
Consider a Southwest Credit Card: If you fly Southwest frequently or want to boost your Rapid Rewards earnings significantly, a co-branded Chase Southwest credit card can be a powerful tool for earning points and achieving Companion Pass status.
Step 8: The Future of Southwest Partnerships
Southwest's recent moves indicate a clear strategic shift towards a more connected global network. The initial success of the Icelandair partnership and the announcement of China Airlines suggest that more international interline agreements are likely to follow. Southwest has explicitly stated they are actively pursuing partnerships with other international carriers for transpacific and transatlantic service.
This means more choices, more destinations, and more opportunities for Southwest loyalists to leverage their Rapid Rewards benefits for truly global journeys. The traditional "Southwest bubble" is expanding, and it's an exciting time for travelers!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find Southwest Airlines' current international airline partners?
You can find Southwest Airlines' current international airline partners listed on their official website under the "Airline Partnerships" section, which details their interline agreements.
How to book a flight with Southwest Airlines and one of its international partners?
Currently, you primarily book flights involving Southwest and an international partner (like Icelandair) through the partner airline's website or through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs). Southwest plans to make these bookings available on Southwest.com in the future.
How to earn Rapid Rewards points when flying with Southwest's international partners?
You can earn Rapid Rewards points on the Southwest-operated segments of an interline itinerary by ensuring your Rapid Rewards account number is added to your reservation when booking through the partner airline or an OTA.
How to use Rapid Rewards points for flights on Southwest's international partners?
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
As of mid-2025, Rapid Rewards points can generally be earned on Southwest-operated segments of partner itineraries. Redemption for flights on partner airlines is expected to be introduced in the future for some partnerships, like China Airlines.
How to transfer baggage between Southwest and a partner airline?
With interline agreements, Southwest and its partners coordinate checked baggage. This means your bags should be transferred seamlessly between flights operated by the two different carriers on a single ticket, reducing the need for you to recheck them.
How to check if a specific international route is available through a Southwest partnership?
You'll need to check the websites of Southwest's specific international partners (e.g., Icelandair.com, https://www.google.com/search?q=China-Airlines.com) or use a major online travel agency (OTA) to search for itineraries that combine flights from both airlines.
How to understand the difference between an interline agreement and a codeshare agreement?
An interline agreement allows airlines to sell tickets on each other's flights and coordinate baggage, but each airline operates its own flight under its own flight number. A codeshare agreement involves a deeper level of cooperation where one airline places its designator code on a flight operated by another, essentially selling it as its own.
How to find non-airline partners for earning Rapid Rewards points?
You can find a comprehensive list of Southwest's non-airline partners (hotels, car rentals, shopping, dining, etc.) on the Rapid Rewards section of the Southwest Airlines website under "Partners."
How to get updates on new Southwest Airlines partnerships?
To stay updated on new Southwest Airlines partnerships, regularly check the "Airline Partnerships" section on Southwest.com, follow Southwest's official social media channels, and subscribe to their email newsletters.
How to maximize earning points with Southwest's credit card partners?
To maximize earning points with Southwest's credit card partners, consider applying for a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card from Chase, utilize it for Southwest purchases, and take advantage of any bonus categories or sign-up offers.
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