Southwest Adds Turkish Airlines as Sixth International Partner: What Travelers Need to Know for 2025
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!- Southwest adds Turkish Airlines as sixth international partner, expanding new travel opportunities to Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.
- Travelers can now link Southwest’s domestic routes with Turkish Airlines’ vast global network through one simple booking.
- Ideal for both U.S.-based travelers wanting to explore internationally and global travelers flying into the U.S.
- Great news for digital nomads, solo travelers, and luxury seekers looking for seamless global connectivity.
- Learn how to book smarter, connect your flights with less stress, and explore new destinations more easily.
Table of Contents
- What Does the New Southwest–Turkish Airlines Partnership Mean for Travelers?
- Where Can You Fly With This New Turkish Airlines Link?
- Best Way to Use the Southwest–Turkish Airlines Partnership in 2025
- How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way
- HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip
- FAQ: Southwest Adds Turkish Airlines as Sixth International Partner
What Does the New Southwest–Turkish Airlines Partnership Mean for Travelers?
If you’re a traveler based in the U.S. or planning to connect through it, the announcement that Southwest adds Turkish Airlines as sixth international partner opens a treasure trove of travel possibilities.
Turkish Airlines, based in Istanbul, is one of the most globally connected carriers, serving 340+ destinations across 129 countries—including major cities in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Meanwhile, Southwest dominates domestic U.S. skies with over 120 U.S. destinations.
The new partnership allows passengers to “interline” between the two airlines. That means you can book a single ticket that includes both a Southwest and Turkish Airlines leg. Instead of juggling two separate bookings, luggage re-checks, and uncertain connections—you get:
- Through-checked baggage for the entire journey
- Simplified booking through Turkish Airlines’ systems or travel agents
- Smoother transfer between domestic and international flights
This setup is especially handy for travelers starting from less globally connected U.S. cities like Nashville, Kansas City, or Austin—places where Turkish Airlines doesn’t fly directly. Now, you can catch a Southwest flight to one of Turkish’s U.S. gateways like Chicago, Houston, or New York (JFK) and connect onward with ease.
You can read more about the announcement from The Points Guy’s original coverage here.
Where Can You Fly With This New Turkish Airlines Link?
Once you’re aboard Turkish Airlines, the world opens up—literally. From Istanbul (IST), which serves as a strategic hub between continents, Turkish Airlines connects to:
Europe
- Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Prague, Athens, Amsterdam, and over 100 cities from Western to Eastern Europe.
Asia & the Middle East
- Top hubs like Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Mumbai.
Africa
- Nairobi, Johannesburg, Cairo, Accra—Turkish Airlines offers more African routes than almost any other global airline.
Emerging Luxury & Digital Nomad Destinations
- Think Tbilisi, Baku, Bali, and Bishkek—all easily reachable via Istanbul.
This is great news for digital nomads chasing co-working vibes in Lisbon or Tbilisi, foodies dreaming of Tokyo, or couples planning an exotic honeymoon in Zanzibar.
Looking to start planning? Here’s an easy way to compare flights for your preferred travel dates.
Best Way to Use the Southwest–Turkish Airlines Partnership in 2025
So what are the use cases where this new partnership truly shines for real travelers?
One-Stop International Routing
- Connect seamlessly from, say, Denver to Paris via Chicago—all on one itinerary.
- Avoid the chaos of re-checking bags and multiple vendors.
Start International from Small & Mid-Sized U.S. Cities
- Places like Albuquerque, Indianapolis, or Boise are often left out of international options.
- Now, just link a Southwest domestic hop to a Turkish international leg.
Travel With Less Stress
- Through-check baggage makes tight connections feasible and reduces lost luggage risk.
- Booking on one itinerary adds protection in case of delays or cancellations.
Ideal for:
- Digital nomads relocating overseas
- Luxury travelers flying business class with Turkish’s high-end product
- Solo travelers who want to keep the logistics simple
As Turkish Airlines grows its U.S. footprint, this partnership will only get better over time.
How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way
Planning to take advantage of the Southwest–Turkish connection? Here are key steps to execute it like a pro:
- Start by checking your destination on Turkish Airlines’ network via Istanbul.
- Identify which Southwest cities can connect you to Turkish Airlines gateways (e.g., Chicago, Houston, New York).
- Use a platform like Kiwi to check prices and filter for connections via Istanbul.
- Book both flights under one reservation, through Turkish’s site or a global OTA (ask a travel agent if in doubt).
- Leave at least 2 hours for connection time in your U.S. departure hub when combining itineraries.
- Want to stay overnight at your connecting city? Check hotel prices near the airport to make it smoother.
HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip
Here’s how to travel smarter and easier with this airline partnership:
- Consider a stopover: You can often add a free or low-cost layover in Istanbul (on Turkish Airlines itineraries)—perfect for turning a connection into a two-in-one trip.
- Pack with efficiency: Short Southwest flights → long-haul Turkish leg means layering essentials in your carry-on is key. Use travel gear like compression cubes or RFID pouches (available on Amazon or travel shops).
- Flying for work? Turkish’s business class offers lounge access, lie-flat seats, and premium meals—a great way to arrive rested.
- Arrange arrival transfers: Whether you’re landing in Tokyo or Lisbon, use a service like Kiwitaxi to reserve airport pickup with fixed pricing.
- Don’t skip the policy: For long itineraries with 2+ flights, it’s smart to have travel insurance to cover missed connections or delays.
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FAQ: Southwest Adds Turkish Airlines as Sixth International Partner
Q: Why is the Southwest–Turkish Airlines partnership important for U.S. travelers?
A: It brings easier access to overseas destinations—especially from cities not served by big international airlines. You can now book smoother flights from your home airport to global cities across Europe, Africa, and Asia with one connected itinerary.
Q: How do I book a Southwest and Turkish Airlines flight together?
A: Use Turkish Airlines’ website or a reputable online travel agency. Look for interline ticketing, so your bags and boarding passes are handled all the way through to your final destination.
Q: Will I need to collect my luggage at the U.S. layover?
A: No—if you’re flying on an interline ticket, your bags will be automatically transferred between Southwest and Turkish, making connections easier.
Q: Can I earn miles on both airlines?
A: Not yet. While the partnership allows booking and ticketing ease, it doesn’t currently support shared loyalty earning. Southwest’s Rapid Rewards and Turkish’s Miles&Smiles programs operate separately.
Q: Which U.S. airports does Turkish Airlines fly from?
A: Major hubs include New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Miami, Los Angeles (LAX), Washington D.C., and Boston. From there, you can connect via Southwest on the U.S. end.
Whether you’re an experienced globetrotter or booking your first international adventure, the fact that Southwest adds Turkish Airlines as sixth international partner unlocks an exciting new way to travel—and makes seeing the world feel just a little bit closer.
Now, who’s ready for brunch in Barcelona after breakfast in Boise?
Safe travels from the HopStrip team.
