Southwest in talks for interline partnership with China Airlines

Southwest (LUV) Airlines 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 2025 Annual General Meeting in India to jointly announce the first trans-Pacific airline partnership for Southwest Airlines. “We’re on a journey to bring more choices to our Customers. This initial work to partner with Taiwan-based China Airlines would allow for seamless trans-Pacific journeys across the Southwest network, furthering the reach of our Vision and Purpose-to connect People with important moments in their lives,” said Andrew Watterson, COO. “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.”