China Airlines and Southwest Launch Interline Partnership for 2026 Travel

(UNITED STATES) China Airlines and Southwest Airlines have switched on a long-expected interline partnership that links trans-Pacific flights with one of the largest U.S. domestic networks. The airlines opened bookings for combined itineraries on August 20, 2025, with the first travel date set for January 19, 2026.

Announced on June 2, 2025, the deal is Southwest’s first major bridge to Asia and China Airlines’ first U.S. domestic partner, routing connections through five West Coast gateways—Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Ontario (ONT), Seattle (SEA), and Phoenix (PHX). The agreement is an interline, not a codeshare: customers can buy one ticket and check bags to the final stop, but at launch they will not receive reciprocal elite status or full loyalty benefits across both carriers.

What the airlines say and strategic intent

Southwest’s leadership presents the partnership as part of a broader plan to link the carrier to long‑haul travel. CEO Bob Jordan said, “It’s coming soon, and more partners are coming soon,” pointing to faster work to support partner award bookings and deeper loyalty features. COO Andrew Watterson described the aim as “seamless trans‑Pacific journeys across the Southwest network,” saying the tie-up supports Southwest’s purpose “to connect People with important moments in their lives.”

China Airlines frames the tie-up as a way to simplify U.S. domestic access for travelers arriving on its nonstop routes from Taiwan. More than 30 inland points will be accessible via Southwest’s schedule, providing a direct feed beyond the coastal gateways.

How the partnership works at launch

• Type: Interline partnership (not a codeshare)
• Announcement: June 2, 2025
• Bookings opened: August 20, 2025
• First travel date: January 19, 2026
• Gateways: LAX, SFO, ONT, SEA, PHX
• Perks at launch: Single itinerary, through check-in, baggage transfer
• Not included at launch: Reciprocal elite status or full loyalty perks across both carriers
• Future plans: Rapid Rewards earning and redemption on partner trips “coming soon”

At launch:
– Customers can buy combined itineraries on China Airlines’ website and through major travel agencies.
– Southwest’s own sales channels will not initially list these linked trips; the U.S. carrier says it will add them after additional technical work.
– The interline setup allows through check‑in: passengers can receive boarding passes for all legs and hand over baggage once, with transfers handled between airlines behind the scenes.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, interline partnership deals typically deliver the basics—single itinerary, through check‑in, and baggage transfer—while deeper perks such as shared elite benefits and co‑earning across loyalty programs usually come later, if at all.

Booking and travel flow (step-by-step)

1. Choose a combined China Airlines / Southwest itinerary for dates on or after January 19, 2026.
2. Complete the purchase in a single transaction via China Airlines or a major travel agency.
3. Check in once (online or at the airport) and receive boarding passes for all segments.
4. Hand over checked baggage at the start; transfer between airlines is included under the interline.

This model reduces friction—fewer counter stops, fewer separate tickets, clearer rebooking in disruptions—while not carrying the perks of a codeshare at launch (no automatic elite recognition, no shared upgrade lists, no reciprocal lounge rights).

Impact on frequent flyers and loyalty

• Southwest Rapid Rewards: Southwest says it is accelerating plans to allow earning and redemption on international partner trips, with more loyalty features to follow after the initial launch date. Rapid Rewards members should watch for updates.
• China Airlines flyers: Immediate benefits include one‑ticket access to inland U.S. cities via Southwest, smoothing planning even without shared elite perks.
• If both carriers later add loyalty integrations, the partnership could become significantly more attractive for families and small businesses pooling points.

Network reach and traveler benefits

The tie-up adds reach to more than 30 inland U.S. cities from the five gateways. Examples of connecting destinations include:
– Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago
– Major vacation spots in Florida

Key traveler benefits:
– Single‑ticket itineraries from Asia to inland U.S. cities
– Through check‑in and baggage transfer, reducing the risk of missed connections
– Easier planning for families, students, and business travelers who previously needed separate tickets

Industry context and competitive implications

Southwest’s traditional focus has been point‑to‑point domestic flying. In late 2024 the carrier began building an international partner model; February 2025 saw its first deal with Icelandair. The China Airlines agreement expands that partner approach across the Pacific.

For China Airlines, the interline provides a U.S. domestic feed for the first time, rather than relying solely on global partners at gateway airports. Analysts say the move:
– Adds a tool in competition with EVA Air and Starlux Airlines for U.S.–Asia traffic
– Lets Southwest appear on itineraries that cross the Pacific without operating long‑haul aircraft
– May prompt legacy carriers (Delta, American, United) to defend market share, possibly with status match offers or targeted promotions

Corporate travel and policy considerations

Because it’s an interline, the partnership:
– Keeps pricing and settlement within standard global distribution and agency frameworks
– Simplifies duty‑of‑care tracking and rebooking during disruptions because the trip sits on one record
– Does not bring cross‑carrier elite benefits at launch—companies depending on those perks should brief travelers accordingly

Practical considerations for different traveler types

• Families and students: One booking, one check‑in, and one baggage handoff reduces stress; Ontario (ONT) and Phoenix (PHX) add convenient alternatives to busier LAX and SFO.
• Business travelers: Access to inland markets without separate tickets can save time; loyalty earn rules remain in flux.
• First‑time U.S. visitors: Review U.S. entry rules early—authoritative guidance is available on the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Waiver Program page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html.

Timeline and next steps

• Partnership announced: June 2, 2025
• Bookings opened: August 20, 2025
• First travel date: January 19, 2026

The interval allows system setup, staff training, customer education, and corporate travel planning. Both carriers say they plan to expand connecting cities and loyalty features over time, with partner award bookings and deeper loyalty integrations on an accelerated track.

What to watch for and final takeaways

• Southwest will add partner booking capability to its own channels after technical work is complete.
• Expect promotional activity and possible schedule adjustments from competitors, especially around early 2026 travel windows.
• The interline keeps the first phase simple—single ticketing and baggage transfer—while leaving room to layer loyalty and revenue features later.

Practical pointers:
– If your trip starts in Asia and ends beyond the U.S. West Coast, check China Airlines and major travel agencies for a combined itinerary covering all legs.
– Don’t expect cross‑carrier elite perks at launch; watch for updates on Rapid Rewards integration.
– Corporate travel managers should consider how one‑ticket itineraries simplify duty of care and disruption handling.

For customer assistance and confirmation:
– China Airlines U.S. customer service: (800) 227‑5118
– Southwest Airlines general inquiries: (800) 435‑9792
– Major travel agencies can also price combined itineraries and hold space while documents are finalized.

The partnership’s human story is straightforward: easier family reunions, simpler trips to university towns, and more reliable returns home. With booking open since August 20, 2025 and the first travel date on January 19, 2026, travelers and planners have a clear window to prepare. One ticket, one check‑in, and a planned handoff—those practical gains may be enough reason for many to try the new link when it begins.