Southwest Airlines is currently undergoing a major transformation, which includes charging for checked bags, introducing assigned and extra legroom seating, etc. It goes beyond that, though, as Southwest is also increasingly launching airline partnerships.
Earlier this year, we saw Southwest launch its first partnership with Icelandair, and the expectation is that Southwest will fly to Iceland. Then we saw the airline announce China Airlines as its second partner, EVA Air as its third partner, Philippine Airlines as its fourth partner, and Condor as its fifth partner. Now we’re seeing the airline reveal its sixth partner, so these are coming along pretty quickly…
In this post:
New Southwest & Turkish partnership details
Southwest Airlines and Turkish Airlines are launching an interline agreement, which is expected to kick in as of early 2026. With this, travelers will be able to book tickets that include travel on both Southwest and Turkish. This will initially be available at the 10 airports in the United States that are served by both airlines.
Turkish Airlines is a Star Alliance member, and it flies to more countries than any airline in the world (and has massive growth plans).
Here’s how Southwest Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson describes this:
“Both Southwest and Turkish Airlines are known for the warmth of our Employees, the authenticity of our Hospitality, and the reliability of our airline operations. We’re grateful for this new relationship that will usher thousands of international travelers each week through experiences around the globe that showcase the best of both carriers and globally enhances awareness of the Southwest brand.”
This partnership only includes an interline agreement, which is the most basic level of cooperation two airlines can have. There’s no codeshare agreement, or loyalty collaboration, or anything. The interline agreement simply makes it possible to book a ticket that includes travel on both airlines, including through Turkish’s website, as well as through online travel agencies.
I’m done reporting on Southwest’s interline agreements
Southwest is still new to the world of airline partnerships, so it’s interesting to see the approach the carrier is taking. For example, Icelandair was announced as the first partner, and it seems pretty clear the airlines are actually planning a higher level of cooperation, eventually having a codeshare agreement, frequent flyer reciprocity, etc.
However, it seems that Southwest’s strategy for adding partners after that has been a little more casual, with no plans for cooperation beyond a basic interline agreement.
At first I reported on Southwest’s partnerships because the whole concept of Southwest partnering with other airlines was still new. But at this point, I think there’s just not a whole lot to it, so I won’t be writing about these announcements going forward.
I find it strange how Southwest’s Chief Operating Officer is making it sound like the interline agreement is because the airlines share values of friendly employees and authenticity of hospitality. Like, an interline agreement is barely a partnership, and it doesn’t show any sort of shared values or business. It’s just a super basic level of cooperation. For example, British Airways has an interline agreement with Lufthansa, and I don’t think it’s because the oneworld airline thinks highly of its Star Alliance competitor.
Bottom line
Southwest Airlines and Turkish Airlines are launching a partnership. In reality, this is the most basic form of cooperation you can have, as this is simply an interline agreement that allows you to book travel including flights on both airlines (while also being able to check bags).
Turkish is Southwest’s sixth airline partner, and fifth partner in a row where there are just plans for an interline agreement, and nothing more. I can understand why Southwest is adding interline partners, but at this point, I don’t think there’s much to report on anymore, since airlines typically have dozens of interline partners.
What do you make of Southwest & Turkish partnering?
I don't see a lot of overlap between Southwest customers and Turkish airlines fliers... Maybe they think this will generate more feeder traffic, but without being able to check bags through the benefits are really minimal and the hassles very real. I wouldn't bother.
I'll take "combinations I'll never take" for $1,000.
Before codesharing and alliance agreements, airlines liberally used their T&B agreements to get people around the globe on one ticket. Now, with alliances, everything is much more orthodox, and you have to stay on one alliance to make connections at competitive fares. Otherwise, you have to buy tickets and make transfers on your own. The agreements are still there, but most fare rules now exclude anyone who isn’t an alliance member. In other words, Southwest...
Before codesharing and alliance agreements, airlines liberally used their T&B agreements to get people around the globe on one ticket. Now, with alliances, everything is much more orthodox, and you have to stay on one alliance to make connections at competitive fares. Otherwise, you have to buy tickets and make transfers on your own. The agreements are still there, but most fare rules now exclude anyone who isn’t an alliance member. In other words, Southwest is thinking TK will ignore its longstanding alliance and codeshare relationship with UA and put people on WN instead. It won’t happen. Besides, DEN, LAX and ATL are the only TK gateways with potential.
Alex, interesting theory, though the overlap is a little greater than just LAX and ATL. Like, BOS, IAD, MIA, ORD, DEN, DTW, SFO, and SEA, might work, too, since TK and WN both operate there as well.
Only an industry insider/blogger/travel agent would possess that sort of detailed knowledge, which you keep on proving in your posts 1990.
I do kind of like Turkish Airlines but a warmly welcoming customer service is DEFINITELY not their strong suit. Their crew are usually cranky.
Southwest grasping for straws for anything that looks like they are supposed to do to become a normal airline.
Still waiting for them to install an actual First Class (recliners) and open some lounges. If they could pull a jetBlue and do lie-flat like Mint, that’d be even better. This way there’d be something worthwhile to use the new $500 CSR +$75K credit on…
I would expect a domestic F product. A lay flat product like JB Mint doesnt make sense due to the small segment lengths Southwest usually does and the small number of redeyes they operate.
Fail
Has there been any word on Southwest interlining bags for connections on separate tickets to these airlines?
Boo. Hiss.
1990, you are becoming as evasive as Ben, when asked direct questions. Why is the similarity so striking? Your silence only adds to one’s curiosity and belief that you are part of the OMAAT team, if not Ben, himself, yes?
Aero, I assure you, I am not Ben, nor am I affiliated with the site. I'm just a guy who follows the various travel blog sites because I travel frequently. Like you, I also enjoy commenting.
Separately, I hope that the individual impersonating you and I (and Eskimo and others) would please not do so any further (especially if they're going to pick fights with others). I much prefer their use of clever aliases and pseudonyms instead.
Sorry 1990, one remains unconvinced. Nothing whatsoever that you have posted leads one away from believing that you post only the OMAAT ‘party line’. Like some, you profess to dislike having your login misused, however, you do not call upon OMAAT to take action to prevent this blatant violation from recurring.
You appear to possess sufficient knowledge of websites mechanics to know that a solution can be easily found, however, you choose to remain...
Sorry 1990, one remains unconvinced. Nothing whatsoever that you have posted leads one away from believing that you post only the OMAAT ‘party line’. Like some, you profess to dislike having your login misused, however, you do not call upon OMAAT to take action to prevent this blatant violation from recurring.
You appear to possess sufficient knowledge of websites mechanics to know that a solution can be easily found, however, you choose to remain silent, why? How many times have you asked OMAAT/Ben to put an end to the practice? No 1990, you like Ben, choose to remain silent when asked legitimate questions, furthermore, you fail to ask pertinent questions too, what else is one to think?
I admire your commitment and passion. And, I respect your fearlessness in posting many times on the same posts, as I also like to do, much to the disappointment of a few others. (Keep going. Never stop. MORE IS MORE.)
Roger that, message received and fully understood ….
There is a distinction smell in the air, some of us have traveled around the block many times and have been on the receiving end of BS spouted by experts. Tonight an amateur is distinctly observed, one expects nothing less.
Often.. the one who smelt it... dealt it...
That ancient schoolboy saying is typically a truth dodging rhetoric rhyme, yes 1990?
No! The smell is most definitely NOT emanating from the right side of the pond. I know that, OMAAT knows that, you know that 1990 and so does the thinking readership too. To coin an over used, poor taste, American term. This has turned into a most unpleasant “*hit show”. You and others throw it, Ben ignores it, therefore, there is only...
That ancient schoolboy saying is typically a truth dodging rhetoric rhyme, yes 1990?
No! The smell is most definitely NOT emanating from the right side of the pond. I know that, OMAAT knows that, you know that 1990 and so does the thinking readership too. To coin an over used, poor taste, American term. This has turned into a most unpleasant “*hit show”. You and others throw it, Ben ignores it, therefore, there is only one solution …. one will simply return the ‘compliment’ to the rightful owners.
Game On, yes?
This is one of the dumbest back-and-forths I've ever seen on this blog
And there's been quite some competition!