Southwest Airlines is making big changes this year. Not only will they be charging for checked bags and offering assigned seats, but they’re also adding airline partners. After teaming up with Icelandair earlier this year, Southwest has announced China Airlines as their second partner.

This new partnership will connect Southwest flights with China Airlines’ routes on the West Coast. Travelers will be able to book trips using both airlines starting in 2025, with flights beginning in 2026. The connection points will be Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ontario, and Seattle. This makes it easier for passengers to fly between the U.S. and Asia on a single ticket.

Asia trip booked with China Airlines.

Our Take

Our view is that this partnership matters for a few reasons. First, it’s Southwest’s first partner across the Pacific Ocean, which is a big step. Second, it shows that China Airlines is looking beyond its SkyTeam alliance with Delta for more U.S. connections. This gives points and miles travelers more options when planning trips to Asia.

However, this is only an interline agreement, which is the most basic type of airline partnership. There are no shared codes, no points earning between programs, and no special perks yet. While not a game-changer right now, we think this move shows Southwest is slowly building up to bigger partnerships. For travelers who earn Southwest points, it’s worth watching how these partnerships grow in the future.