Southwest Expands Global Reach Through International Airline Partnership

Southwest Airlines will partner with Turkish Airlines beginning in early 2026 to offer one-ticket transatlantic journeys between the US and Istanbul. The partnership allows travelers to book single itineraries connecting Southwest’s US domestic network with Turkish Airlines’ global route system via shared gateway airports. According to AeroTime, Southwest Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson said the partnership is intended to expand the airline’s global reach while introducing international travelers to the Southwest brand. The agreement represents a continuation of Southwest’s evolving international strategy, which includes six overseas partnerships announced in 2025.