Southwest, Icelandair Expand Partnership

Three more U.S. airports will join the two airlines' tie-up.

Icelandair and Southwest 737 MAX aircraft (Photo – Top: Shutterstock | Ceri Breeze Bottom – AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

[ News ]June 2, 2025 6:30 am ET

By Ryan Ewing

Southwest and Icelandair are deepening their partnership, building on a collaboration that has already connected passengers across North America and Europe through a growing number of interline gateways.

The two carriers formalized their partnership in January, following an initial Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2024. This agreement marked Southwest’s first airline partnership, enabling customers to book itineraries that combine flights from both airlines.

In addition, the partnership allows passengers to check their luggage through to their final destination.

A Southwest 737 MAX 8 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Initially, the partnership launched with connections through Southwest’s Baltimore hub. Subsequently, additional connecting points were added in Nashville, Tennessee, and Denver.

More Gateways

On Monday, the airlines announced the next phase of their cooperation: the addition of three new U.S. gateway cities, including Orlando, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina. These newly added connections are now available for booking, with flights set to begin on July 14, a Southwest spokesperson shared.

Currently, customers can book these combined itineraries through Icelandair’s website and select third-party booking platforms. Southwest plans to integrate these options into its own booking channels in 2026, coinciding with the introduction of assigned seating.

The airline also added a new international airline partner this weekend. China Airlines will begin partnering with Southwest later this year, with connections from a handful of West Coast markets.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Follow Ryan

Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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