In a move that continues its aggressive pivot from a domestic low-cost icon to a global network player, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today it has entered into a major international partnership with Turkish Airlines. Scheduled to begin in early 2026, the deal marks the sixth international tie-up for the Dallas-based carrier this year, significantly expanding its reach into Europe, Asia, and Africa via the world’s most connected hub in Istanbul.

The partnership, structured as an interline agreement, will allow travellers to book "one ticket" journeys across both airlines’ networks. For Southwest customers, this unlocks access to Turkish Airlines’ staggering roster of over 350 destinations in 132 countries. For Turkish Airlines, it provides a seamless "last mile" connection into the heart of the United States through Southwest’s sprawling domestic network.

The Gateway Strategy

Turkish Airlines currently operates at 10 U.S. airports that are also served by Southwest. While the airlines have not officially listed every specific transfer point, industry analysts point to key "gateway" hubs where the two carriers overlap:

East Coast: Boston (BOS), Washington Dulles (IAD), Atlanta (ATL), and Miami (MIA).

Midwest/West: Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA).

Under the new agreement, international travellers arriving from Istanbul will be able to transfer onto Southwest flights with their baggage checked through to their final destination, a major convenience for a carrier that once famously avoided any form of interlining.

A "New Southwest" for the New Year

This announcement is the latest milestone in their "Southwest. Even Better." transformation plan. After decades of sticking to a rigid, single-class domestic model, the airline has spent 2025 reinventing itself.

The Turkish Airlines partnership joins a growing list of international allies Southwest has secured this year, including Icelandair, Condor, China Airlines, EVA Air, and Philippine Airlines.

"Both Southwest and Turkish Airlines are known for the warmth of our Employees and the reliability of our operations," said Andrew Watterson, Southwest’s Chief Operating Officer. "We’re grateful for this relationship that will usher thousands of international travellers each week through experiences that showcase the best of both carriers."

What This Means for Passengers

The partnership is timed to coincide with Southwest’s massive onboard product overhaul. Starting January 27, 2026, Southwest will officially move away from its historic open seating policy.

Assigned Seating: Passengers can finally choose their seats in advance.

Premium Options: Roughly one-third of the cabin will offer extra legroom, aligning Southwest’s product more closely with the international standards of its new partners, like Turkish Airlines.

Redeye Flights: To support these international connections, Southwest has already begun operating redeye flights, maximising aircraft utilisation and providing better timing for transatlantic transfers.

Booking and Loyalty

Tickets for the joint itineraries are expected to become available in the first half of 2026 through Turkish Airlines’ website and various travel agencies. While full integration with Southwest’s own website is expected later in the year, Rapid Rewards members can look forward to earning points on the Southwest-operated segments of these international trips.

As Southwest prepares to enter 2026, the message is clear: the "maverick" airline is no longer just for short hops between U.S. cities. By hitching its wagon to the global reach of Turkish Airlines, Southwest is officially inviting its customers to see the world.