Southwest Airlines Co. and China Airlines Group are in discussions to create an interline partnership in early 2026, with published connections expected to go on sale later this year. Executive Leadership from both carriers met this week at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in India to jointly announce the first trans-Pacific airline partnership for Southwest Airlines.
Southwest is attending its first AGM since becoming a member carrier earlier this year. "We've found great interest globally in potential partnerships with Southwest and continue discussions here in New Delhi with several like-minded carriers attracted to our consistent Reliability, friendly brand, and unmatched network in the United States," Watterson said. Earlier this year, Southwest launched a partnership with Icelandair that now connects Customers traveling between the U.S. and Europe on dual-carrier itineraries through gateway airports Baltimore/Washington, Denver, and Nashville.
Beginning July 14, 2025, Icelandair and Southwest will add connecting service through Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh-Durham, providing more access between Europe and cities across the extensive Southwest Airlines network.
