On Monday, 2nd June 2025, Southwest Airlines announced future Partnership With China Airlines. Southwest Airlines and China Airlines announced that they are looking into a possible interline agreement at the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 2, which also featured announcements of several other possible alliances, such as the four-way partnership between Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, IndiGo, and Virgin Atlantic. After passing the association’s IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in January, the former only joined IATA this year.
In contrast to China Airlines, which said that “travelers from the US can now enjoy seamless journeys to top destinations throughout Asia,” Southwest Airlines revealed that the two airlines “are in discussions to create an interline partnership in early 2026.” The US-based airline said the first tickets should go on sale “later this year.”
According to Southwest Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer (COO), Andrew Watterson, the airline is working to give its customers more options, and the partnership with China Airlines will allow for smooth transpacific travel throughout the Southwest Airlines network, expanding the carrier’s reach.
According to a statement from China Airlines, the interline cooperation will deliver connectivity through its four gateways in the US, allowing passengers to book their trips on a one ticket. Andrew Watterson went on to say:
“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.”
About China Airlines (CAL)
In 1959, China Airlines (CAL) was established. With over 10,000 employees globally and 111 aircraft in its fleet, the Taiwan-based airline aims to become the top airline in Asia-Pacific and fly worldwide by giving every passenger the best possible flying experience. China Airlines consistently provides a safe, excellent, environmentally responsible, and inventive flying experience, guaranteeing passengers a relaxing trip and peace of mind while generating more amazing occasions via flight. China Airlines Cargo Services, Taiwan’s top air cargo carrier, offers consignors a dependable, practical, and constantly improving transportation service.
About Southwest Airlines Co.
One of the world’s most renowned and honored airlines, Southwest Airlines Co., provides its unique value and hospitality in 117 airports in 11 countries. Founded in 1971 to democratize air travel via affordable, dependable, and courteous service, Southwest currently transports more passengers nonstop within the United States than any other airline. The pioneer airline enjoys fervent loyalty from over 140 million passengers flown in 2024 by enabling its more than 71,0002 employees to provide unmatched hospitality. Southwest uses its distinctive heritage and goal to support communities globally, putting communities at the center of its success by utilizing the strength of its people and purpose.
Possible Interline Partnership Routes Between Southwest Airlines and China Airlines
Likely, China Airlines and Southwest Airlines have not finalized their interline partnership. Nevertheless, the former’s statement explained that passengers could connect to or from flights from four of its US West Coast gateways: Seattle-Tacoma, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Ontario International Airport (ONT).
Although Southwest Airlines has not yet submitted its schedules for January 2026—possibly the worst month for air travel demand after the Christmas holiday—the airline does have 1,313 weekly departures from the four airports, according to schedules for June 2025. With 589 weekly takeoffs throughout the month, Los Angeles has the most significant presence.
According to Cirium’s Diio Mi, China Airlines will operate ten weekly flights to Los Angeles in June, five weekly flights from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Seattle-Tacoma, and daily flights to Ontario, California, the US, and San Francisco. The US West Coast arrivals occur from 1355 hours to 1955 hours local time (UTC -7). Customers of China Airlines will have plenty of opportunities to board Southwest Airlines aircraft, given the airline’s departures from the four airports and the identical minimum and maximum connection times of 90 minutes and 12 hours, respectively. For instance, travelers on the Taiwanese carrier can board 27 flights on 15 different destinations on June 13 with an arrival time of 1355 hours in Los Angeles. The routes are shown below. Travelers may be able to connect to 25 aircraft on 20 different routes if the China Airlines flight arrives at 2045 hours on the same day.
Limited Connectivity from Ontario International Airport
In June, there are only nine possible connecting Southwest Airlines flights on seven different itineraries due to China Airlines’ daily flights to Ontario landing at 18:00 (first map below). The Taiwanese airline plans to land in San Francisco at 19:55, creating opportunities for fictitious transfers onto seven Southwest Airlines departures to seven different airports on June 13. These include destinations such as Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Flight CI22, operated by China Airlines, arrives at Seattle-Tacoma at 19:30. This arrival time enables connections to Southwest Airlines flights bound for Denver, Dallas Love Field (DAL), Baltimore/Washington International, and other major US airports.
Wrapping Up
Southwest Airlines announces future Partnership With China Airlines. Travelers can link across several airlines without having to recheck their bags or purchase additional tickets thanks to an interline agreement, which allows partner airlines to handle passenger and baggage operations on a single route.
Through cities where both airlines operate, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Ontario, California, the partnership between Southwest and China Airlines will give China Airlines passengers access to connections.
Related FAQs
The action comes after the announcement in February of its first international cooperation with Icelandair. Joint itineraries are anticipated to go on sale later this year, with the China Airlines cooperation, which was announced on June 2, 2025, starting in early 2026.
Later in 2025, published connections are anticipated to go on sale, with service starting in early 2026. Stay tuned for additional information as we expand our trans-Pacific airline agreements.
In most cases, the response is in the middle. Free checked bags on all flights are a huge advantage, customer happiness is high, and flight flexibility has always been outstanding.
It’s wonderful that Southwest has added a trans-Pacific partner, which could give Asian tourists more ways to reach the Midwest and East Coast of the United States. Additionally, it might give domestic tourists more ways to get to Asia and Oceania via Taipei.
The foundation of Southwest Airlines’ business strategy is its incredibly effective operations, affordable prices, and creative logistics solutions.
