China Airlines and Southwest Launch US Transfer Network for Taiwan Travel

Key Takeaways

• China Airlines and Southwest Airlines announced an interline partnership on June 2, 2025, starting early 2026.
• Single tickets with through-checked baggage enable seamless travel from Taiwan to 30+ U.S. cities via four gateways.
• The partnership marks Southwest’s first trans-Pacific market entry without loyalty program integration initially.

On June 2, 2025, China Airlines and Southwest Airlines announced a new interline partnership at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in New Delhi. This agreement marks a major milestone for both airlines, especially for Southwest Airlines, which is entering the trans-Pacific market for the first time. The partnership is set to begin in early 2026, with tickets for joint itineraries expected to go on sale later in 2025. This move is designed to make travel between Taiwan and the United States 🇺🇸 much easier, especially for those heading beyond the main gateway cities.

What Is the China Airlines and Southwest Airlines Interline Partnership?

An interline partnership is an agreement between two airlines that allows passengers to book a single ticket for flights operated by both carriers. This means travelers can check in once, have their baggage transferred automatically to their final destination, and receive boarding passes for all flights at the start of their journey. It is different from a codeshare, where airlines share flight numbers and often integrate loyalty programs. In this case, the partnership is strictly interline, so there is no sharing of frequent flyer benefits or points at this stage.

Key Details:
– Announcement Date: June 2, 2025
– Booking Opens: Late 2025
– Service Launch: Early 2026
– U.S. Gateways: Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Ontario (ONT), Seattle (SEA)
– Domestic Reach: Over 30 U.S. cities via Southwest Airlines
– Type of Agreement: Interline (not codeshare)
– Loyalty Programs: No integration at launch

Why Is This Partnership Important?

This partnership is a big step for both airlines and for travelers between Asia and the United States 🇺🇸. For the first time, passengers flying from Taiwan and other parts of Asia with China Airlines can easily connect to Southwest Airlines’ large domestic network in the United States 🇺🇸. Southwest is the largest U.S. domestic airline by passenger volume and operates the fourth-largest fleet in the world. Until now, Southwest has focused mainly on domestic flights and has avoided international partnerships.

Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Airlines, said:
“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.”

Kevin Chen, President of China Airlines, added:
“Growing our long-haul network always has been China Airlines’ long-term plan. As we expand our gateway operations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, as well as Ontario, California, we are pleased to include Southwest as one of our partners with its unique network that further expands North American connection opportunities into the Midwest and toward the East Coast.”

How Will the Partnership Work for Passengers?

Travelers will benefit from a much simpler and more convenient travel experience. Here’s how the process will work step by step:

1. Booking

• Passengers can book a single ticket that includes both China Airlines and Southwest Airlines flights.
• Bookings will be available through the China Airlines website, major travel agencies, and possibly Southwest’s own channels in the future.

2. Check-In

• Travelers check in at their starting airport (for example, Taipei) and receive boarding passes for all flights, including their Southwest connection.

3. Baggage

• Bags are checked through to the final destination in the United States 🇺🇸.
• There is no need to collect and re-check baggage at the U.S. gateway airport.

4. Transfer

• Upon arrival at one of the four U.S. gateway airports (LAX, SFO, ONT, SEA), passengers proceed directly to their Southwest Airlines connection.
• They do not need to leave the secure area or handle their bags during the transfer.

5. Arrival

• Passengers collect their baggage at their final U.S. destination.

This process removes many of the headaches that travelers often face when connecting between international and domestic flights in the United States 🇺🇸, such as having to claim and re-check bags or manage separate tickets.

Which U.S. Cities Will Be Connected?

The partnership focuses on four major West Coast gateways:
– Los Angeles (LAX)
– San Francisco (SFO)
– Ontario (ONT)
– Seattle (SEA)

From these airports, travelers can connect to more than 30 cities across the United States 🇺🇸 using Southwest Airlines’ network. This includes many destinations in the Midwest and East Coast that are not always easy to reach from Asia with a single ticket.

What Does This Mean for Travelers from Taiwan and Asia?

For travelers from Taiwan and other parts of Asia, this partnership brings several important benefits:

• Seamless Connections: Book one ticket from Asia to your final U.S. city, even if it’s not a major hub.
• No Baggage Hassles: Bags are checked through to your final destination, so you don’t have to worry about collecting and re-checking them at the transfer airport.
• More Choices: Access to Southwest’s large domestic network, including cities that are not served by other major international airlines.
• Time Savings: Faster and easier transfers mean less stress and shorter layovers.

What Does This Mean for U.S. Travelers?

For travelers in the United States 🇺🇸, the partnership opens up new, easier ways to reach Asia, especially Taiwan. If you live in a city served by Southwest Airlines, you can now book a single ticket to Asia with a simple connection at one of the four West Coast gateways. This is especially helpful for business travelers and families who want a smoother journey without the hassle of managing separate bookings.

Why Did the Airlines Choose an Interline Partnership?

An interline partnership is a practical first step for both airlines. It allows them to work together without the complexity of a full codeshare agreement, which would require deeper integration of systems and loyalty programs. For Southwest Airlines, which has traditionally focused on domestic flights, this is a way to test international partnerships and learn what works best for its customers.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this approach also gives both airlines flexibility to expand or adjust the partnership in the future. If the interline agreement is successful, they may consider adding codeshare flights, integrating frequent flyer programs, or even expanding to more international partners.

What Are the Challenges and Next Steps?

While the partnership promises many benefits, there are also challenges to overcome:

• Operational Readiness: Southwest Airlines will need to invest in new systems and staff training to handle international transfer passengers and baggage at its gateway airports.
• IT Integration: Both airlines must coordinate their reservation and check-in systems to ensure a smooth experience for travelers.
• Customer Service: Staff at both airlines will need to be trained to handle questions and issues related to the partnership.
• No Loyalty Integration Yet: At launch, travelers will not be able to earn or redeem frequent flyer miles across both airlines.

Both airlines have said they are working closely together to address these challenges before the partnership launches in early 2026.

How Does This Fit into Broader Airline Industry Trends?

The airline industry is seeing more partnerships like this as carriers look for ways to expand their networks without launching new long-haul flights. Interline and codeshare agreements allow airlines to offer more destinations and better service to their customers while keeping costs down.

Southwest Airlines has traditionally avoided international partnerships, but this is starting to change. Earlier in 2025, Southwest launched its first international partnership with Icelandair, connecting U.S. cities to Europe. The new partnership with China Airlines is its first step into the Asia-Pacific market.

China Airlines, on the other hand, is Taiwan’s flagship carrier and a member of the SkyTeam alliance. It has a strong presence on trans-Pacific routes but has limited access to the U.S. domestic market. By partnering with Southwest, China Airlines can offer its passengers more options for reaching cities across the United States 🇺🇸.

What Are the Implications for Immigration and Travel Policy?

This partnership could have several important effects on immigration and travel between Taiwan and the United States 🇺🇸:

• Easier Access for Students and Workers: Many people from Taiwan travel to the United States 🇺🇸 for study or work. The new partnership makes it easier for them to reach smaller cities and universities that are not served by direct international flights.
• Business Travel: Companies with offices in both countries will benefit from simpler travel arrangements for their employees.
• Family Visits: Families visiting relatives in the United States 🇺🇸 can now book a single ticket to their final destination, making the journey less stressful.
• Tourism: Tourists from both countries will have more options and greater flexibility when planning their trips.

For official information on U.S. visa requirements for travelers from Taiwan and other countries, readers can visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa page.

What Do Industry Experts Say?

Industry observers see this partnership as a major shift in how airlines approach international travel. While the agreement does not include codeshare flights or loyalty program integration at launch, it sets the stage for deeper cooperation in the future.

Experts point out that the success of the partnership will depend on how well Southwest Airlines can handle the new demands of international transfer passengers. If successful, it could encourage other U.S. carriers to pursue similar partnerships and expand their global reach.

What’s Next for the China Airlines and Southwest Airlines Partnership?

Looking ahead, both airlines have hinted at possible upgrades to the partnership, including:

• Adding More Asian Partners: Southwest Airlines may look to partner with other carriers in Asia, further expanding its international network.
• Deeper Integration: Future enhancements could include codeshare agreements, loyalty program integration, and expanded booking options.
• Operational Improvements: Both airlines will continue to work on improving IT systems, baggage handling, and customer service to ensure a smooth experience for travelers.

Summary Table: Key Features of the Partnership

Practical Takeaways for Travelers

• Plan Ahead: Watch for booking options to open in late 2025 for travel starting in early 2026.
• Check Baggage Rules: Enjoy the convenience of through-checked baggage to your final U.S. destination.
• Stay Informed: Look for updates from both airlines as they finalize operational details and possibly expand the partnership.
• Visa Requirements: Make sure you have the correct visa for your trip. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa page for the latest information.

Where to Find More Information

• China Airlines: www.china-airlines.com
• Southwest Airlines: www.southwest.com
• IATA: www.iata.org
• U.S. Department of State Visa Information: travel.state.gov

Conclusion

The new interline partnership between China Airlines and Southwest Airlines is set to change the way people travel between Taiwan and the United States 🇺🇸. By making it easier to book single-ticket journeys with seamless baggage transfers and connections to over 30 U.S. cities, the partnership offers real benefits for students, workers, families, and tourists alike. While there are still challenges to address, the move signals a new era of cooperation between airlines and greater convenience for travelers on both sides of the Pacific. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this partnership could become a model for future airline collaborations, making international travel simpler and more accessible for everyone.

Learn Today

Interline Partnership → Agreement allowing passengers to book flights with multiple airlines using one ticket and seamless baggage transfer.
Codeshare → An airline arrangement sharing flight numbers but not necessarily offering through-ticketing or baggage transfer.
Through-Checked Baggage → Luggage checked once at origin that is transferred automatically to the final destination during connecting flights.
Gateway Airport → Major airport serving as an entry point for international flights connecting to domestic networks.
Frequent Flyer Program → Airline loyalty scheme allowing customers to earn and redeem points for flights and benefits.

This Article in a Nutshell

China Airlines and Southwest Airlines launch an interline partnership in 2026, simplifying travel from Taiwan to over 30 U.S. cities. This unique deal offers seamless check-in, baggage handling, and connections, opening new U.S. routes and marking Southwest’s first trans-Pacific market entry. Booking starts late 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com