Southwest Airlines and China Airlines have announced a new interline partnership set to launch in early 2026. This agreement will allow passengers to book seamless connections through major US West Coast airports such as Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Ontario (ONT), and Seattle (SEA).
The move marks Southwest’s second global partnership after Icelandair, and its first trans-Pacific collaboration, potentially signaling a shift in the airline’s operational model. The interline partnership is part of Southwest’s gradual transition from a strictly domestic low-cost carrier to a more globally connected airline.
Under the agreement, China Airlines customers arriving at US West Coast hubs can connect seamlessly onto Southwest’s extensive domestic network. Interline connections will be available for booking in late 2025, with flights commencing in early 2026.
This partnership is notable given Southwest’s previously limited appetite for international partnerships and minimal cooperation between China Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The agreement does not include codesharing or loyalty integration, but it represents a pragmatic entry into international collaboration for Southwest.
Source: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/06/01/southwest-china-airlines-interline-partnership