Southwest Plans First Asia Partnership with China Airlines

Southwest Airlines travelers could soon book flights to Taipei through the airline, and eventually use their Rapid Reward points on them, as the airline nears an interline agreement with Taiwanese carrier China Airlines.

Southwest said it is “in discussions” with China Airlines to launch an interline partnership in early 2026.

Photo: Courtesy of Southwest Airlines / Stephen M. Keller

Interline agreements allow airlines to sell tickets on each other’s flights and passengers to transfer themselves and baggage between flights operated by two different carriers as part of the same itinerary.

Southwest’s arrangement with China Airlines will likely get off to a slow start but will gradually be expanded to allow travelers to book transpacific flights operated by China Airlines through Southwest channels.

China Airlines currently flies to five U.S. destinations. All except New York (JFK) are served by Southwest:

• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Ontario, CA (ONT),
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Seattle-Tacoma (SEA)
• New York (JFK)

“As the largest carrier of domestic Passengers in the United States, we also carry more people to, from, and within California than any other airline, and expect Southwest Customers could benefit immediately from having access to connections overseas through China Airlines,” Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines, said.

Photo: Courtesy of Airbus / A. Domenjou

Additionally, China Airlines passengers will be able to “seamlessly connect” to Southwest destinations through the carrier’s four West Coast destinations.

“Growing our long-haul network always has been China Airlines’ long-term plan. As we expand our gateway operations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, as well as Ontario, California, we are pleased to include Southwest as one of our partners with its unique network that further expands North American connection opportunities into the Midwest and toward the East Coast,” Kevin Chen, China Airlines President, said.

Eventually, members of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards loyalty will be able to redeem points on China Airlines-operated transpacific flights. However, unless the airlines agree to closer ties, they won’t enjoy reciprocal loyalty benefits on the flights.

The deal with China Airlines is only Southwest’s second international partnership and comes as the airline, known for its idiosyncratic business practices, is undergoing a major transformation.

Photo: Courtesy of Icelandair

Southwest’s first international partnership—with Icelandair—launched in January. Initially, travelers could tap into Icelandair’s network through just one airport—Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)—although Denver (DEN) and Nashville (BNA) airports were quickly added.

Alongside its announcement of its cooperation with China Airlines, Southwest has also revealed that starting on July 14^th, travelers will also be able to book Southwest-Icelandair connections through three additional airports:

• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
• Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

Currently, travelers can book these Southwest-Icelandair itineraries through Icelandair and third-party websites such as Expedia. They will eventually also be bookable through Southwest, with travelers able to redeem Rapid Rewards points on them.

Agreements with international airlines are just one way Southwest is trying to attract more high-paying travelers. The airline is also launching premium and assigned seating and red-eye flights as it tries to reverse several years of losses and following pressure from hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, which has taken an 11 percent stake in the company.