Southwest Airlines Joins Forces With Icelandair, China Airlines, EVA, Condor, And More To Strengthen US Travel Networks To Germany, Iceland, Taiwan, China And More

Published on December 3, 2025

Southwest Airlines unites with Condor, Icelandair, China Airlines, EVA Air, and more in a groundbreaking move to boost US travel connectivity to Germany, Iceland, Taiwan, China, and beyond, starting January 2026. This strategic partnership marks a significant expansion for Southwest, a carrier traditionally focused on domestic flights, allowing it to offer seamless international connections through its existing US hubs. By forming interline agreements with key global carriers, Southwest enhances its customers’ access to major international destinations, all while maintaining its signature low-cost and high-efficiency model. This shift is designed to meet the growing demand for long-haul leisure travel, positioning Southwest as a more competitive player in the global travel market.

In a bold move to expand its international footprint, Southwest Airlines has unveiled a game-changing partnership with Condor, Icelandair, China Airlines, EVA Air, and several other key global carriers. This collaboration, starting in January 2026, signals a new chapter for the Dallas-based airline, marking its entry into the world of interline agreements with a variety of international airlines. Southwest, which has historically been a domestic-focused carrier, is now taking significant steps to enhance connectivity to Europe, Asia, and beyond, offering its passengers more travel options than ever before.

This partnership comes on the heels of Southwest’s efforts to evolve its business model and compete more effectively in the fast-changing US aviation market. By joining forces with these international carriers, Southwest can offer a broader range of destinations, enhance its customer experience, and increase its market share in lucrative transatlantic and transpacific routes. Here’s everything you need to know about this new partnership and what it means for US travelers.

A Game-Changer in Airline Partnerships

Starting January 2026, Southwest Airlines will offer customers the ability to book itineraries that include segments operated by Condor, Icelandair, China Airlines, and EVA Air, through six major Southwest hubs in the US: Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle. These hubs will serve as the gateways for passengers connecting to destinations in Europe, Asia, and beyond.

The partnership is an interline agreement, which, although not as advanced as codeshare agreements or joint ventures, still marks a significant step for Southwest Airlines. Passengers will be able to purchase a single itinerary with flights operated by both Southwest and its partner airlines. One of the key benefits of this agreement is that passengers will receive a single boarding pass for their entire journey, and their luggage will be checked through to their final destination, making for a seamless travel experience.

Expanding Southwest’s Global Reach

For Southwest, this partnership is part of a larger strategy to tap into the growing demand for long-haul leisure travel. With no wide-body aircraft in its fleet and a focus on domestic routes, Southwest has traditionally been limited in its ability to capture premium international travel. This partnership allows Southwest to effectively serve international markets without the need to invest in long-haul flights, aircraft, or expanded route networks.

Here’s a breakdown of the key international airlines Southwest has partnered with:

These international airlines offer a wide array of destinations that are highly popular among US travelers. Condor, for instance, offers direct flights to Frankfurt and other German cities, while Icelandair opens up routes to Iceland and beyond. China Airlines and EVA Air, based in Taiwan, will provide access to Asia, particularly to Taiwan and other major destinations in the region.

The Strategic Benefits for Southwest

Southwest Airlines’ new interline agreement with these international carriers allows it to tap into long-haul travel markets that it has previously been unable to reach. By connecting its domestic network with international routes operated by its partners, Southwest can now offer customers access to a range of destinations, without having to invest in wide-body aircraft or long-haul flights.

These partnerships also help Southwest compete against its larger rivals in the US market, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, which already have extensive international networks. While Southwest may not be competing directly on long-haul flights, the ability to offer international connections through its partners gives it a competitive edge in attracting passengers who may otherwise choose other airlines for their overseas travel.

Condor’s Growing US Presence

For Condor, this partnership is a significant step in expanding its footprint in the US. Historically, Condor has been a leisure carrier with a strong presence in Germany and other European countries. The airline operates a fleet of Airbus A330-900 aircraft on its long-haul routes, including flights to the US. Condor currently serves nine US destinations, with several of them covered by the new interline agreement with Southwest.

Here is a list of Condor’s key US destinations, the aircraft it uses, and its operating months:

A Boost for Long-Haul Premium Leisure Travel

One of the major trends in global aviation over the past few years has been the rise of long-haul premium leisure travel. This segment has grown significantly, with more travelers opting for international vacations and experiences, particularly to Europe and Asia. Southwest Airlines, by expanding its network through interline agreements, can now cater to these customers who seek seamless, convenient connections to top international destinations.

As leisure travelers increasingly seek out long-haul experiences, Southwest Airlines can offer its loyal customers access to some of the most desirable vacation spots in Europe and Asia. By leveraging the existing networks of Condor, Icelandair, China Airlines, and EVA Air, Southwest can tap into these burgeoning markets without overhauling its business model or fleet.

Southwest’s Evolving Business Model

Southwest Airlines has undergone significant changes to its business model in recent years. The airline, which once focused exclusively on domestic flights, has increasingly sought to expand its reach and offer more travel options to its customers. The partnerships with international carriers like Condor and Icelandair represent a new era for Southwest Airlines, one that embraces the global nature of air travel.

In addition to its interline agreements, Southwest has already expanded its partnership with Icelandair, which initially covered only Baltimore. Now, Southwest offers connecting flights through several new US hubs, including Denver, Nashville, Orlando, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh-Durham. These expansions demonstrate Southwest’s commitment to offering a broader range of travel destinations and making travel more accessible for its customers.

Looking Ahead: More Partnerships to Come?

The future looks bright for Southwest Airlines as it continues to build its network of international partnerships. By working with Condor, Icelandair, China Airlines, and EVA Air, Southwest is positioning itself as a key player in the international travel space. The airline’s strategy to expand its global reach without overhauling its fleet or investing in long-haul aircraft appears to be paying off, offering more destinations for travelers while maintaining its signature low-cost, high-efficiency model.

While this interline agreement is a step in the right direction, it’s clear that Southwest has bigger plans for the future. Given the success of its partnership with Icelandair and the positive reception from passengers, Southwest will likely continue to expand its global network through additional interline agreements, codeshare arrangements, and potentially even joint ventures with international carriers.

Southwest unites with Condor, Icelandair, China Airlines, EVA Air, and more to boost US travel connectivity to Germany, Iceland, Taiwan, China, and beyond, starting January 2026. This partnership allows Southwest to offer seamless international connections through its US hubs, expanding its reach into key global markets without the need for wide-body aircraft.

Southwest Airlines’ new partnership with Condor, Icelandair, China Airlines, and EVA Air is a landmark move that expands its network and enhances its global connectivity. This collaboration allows Southwest to offer passengers seamless access to key international destinations in Europe and Asia, further strengthening its position in the competitive US market. The airline’s ability to adapt and evolve in response to shifting consumer demands, particularly in the growing market for long-haul leisure travel, is a testament to its commitment to offering more travel options and improving the customer experience. With further partnerships on the horizon, Southwest Airlines is poised to become a major player in the international aviation landscape.