Southwest Adds Turkish Airlines as Sixth International Partner for 2025 Travel

Southwest Adds Turkish Airlines as Sixth International Partner: What It Means for Your 2025 Trips

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• Southwest adds Turkish Airlines as sixth international partner, tapping into global connectivity via Istanbul.
• U.S. travelers can now access over 290 global destinations with seamless flight links.
• Ideal for couples, families, and digital nomads heading to Europe, Asia, or the Middle East.
• Booking separate tickets? You’ll still need to plan baggage and immigration wisely.
• Learn how to maximize this new partnership for smarter international travel in 2025.

Table of Contents

1. Why Southwest’s Partnership with Turkish Airlines Is a Game Changer for 2025
2. Where Can You Fly Now? Turkish Airlines Opens Up a World of Possibilities
3. Best Way to Use the Southwest-Turkish Airlines Partnership in 2025
4. How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way
5. HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip

Why Southwest’s Partnership with Turkish Airlines Is a Game Changer for 2025

Until now, one of the biggest trade-offs with flying Southwest was its limited international reach. Yes, Southwest flew to select destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America — but global travelers needed more options.

Enter Turkish Airlines. With hubs in Istanbul — a vital geographic and cultural crossroad — Turkish Airlines serves more countries than any other airline. Thanks to this new interline agreement, Southwest customers can now:

• Fly domestically with Southwest to major U.S. hubs like Chicago (MDW), Dallas (DAL), or Houston (HOU)
• Then board a Turkish Airlines flight out of nearby international gateways (e.g., Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth)

Although these itineraries may involve airport changes (since Southwest operates from different airports), the potential for streamlined booking and checked baggage compatibility makes it worthwhile for savvy travelers.

The key? This is an interline agreement, not a full codeshare — meaning bags may not always transfer automatically, and you should plan for longer layovers or separate check-in processes. Still, it’s a major step toward global access with fewer booking headaches.

Where Can You Fly Now? Turkish Airlines Opens Up a World of Possibilities

This new partnership gives travelers access to Turkish Airlines’ enormous international route network. From Istanbul alone, you can easily reach:

Europe Highlights:

• Paris, Rome, Barcelona, London, Athens
• Hidden gems like Tbilisi (Georgia), Tirana (Albania), or Sarajevo (Bosnia)

Middle East & Africa:

• Cairo, Doha, Riyadh, Dubai, Nairobi, Johannesburg

Asia Adventure Picks:

• Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Mumbai, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur

Dream Islands & Remote Spots:

• Maldives, Seychelles, Zanzibar, Mauritius

For example, a traveler from Austin or Kansas City could fly Southwest to one of its U.S. gateways, then connect to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, and continue on to Cape Town, Tokyo, or Tbilisi — all in one relatively seamless trip.

This opens up a whole new batch of HopStrip-recommended itineraries, from romantic Eurotrips to adventure-fueled routes across Sri Lanka, Georgia, or Morocco.

Best Way to Use the Southwest-Turkish Airlines Partnership in 2025

Looking to plan your next big international trip in 2025? Here’s how to unlock the value of this two-airline deal.

• For Families: Use Southwest’s flexible, change-friendly domestic flights to reach Turkish Airlines’ U.S. hubs, especially if flying with kids. Istanbul Airport is one of the most family-friendly hubs in the world, with playgrounds, strollers, and free Wi-Fi throughout.
• For Digital Nomads: Take advantage of Turkish Airlines’ extensive network in Asia and the Balkans. Fly from Denver to Chicago on Southwest, connect to Istanbul, and continue to emerging nomad hubs like Tbilisi, Chiang Mai, or Baku.
• For Luxury Travelers: Turkish Airlines’ business class and award-winning lounge in Istanbul elevate any trip. Consider booking a premium ticket for long-hauls, while still using Southwest’s early flights to position yourself to a major hub.
• Bonus Tip: Even though checked bags may not transfer between Southwest and Turkish Airlines automatically, some destinations will be better than others for making your connection. Choose routes where both airlines fly into the same or nearby airports (e.g., Midway for Southwest and O’Hare for Turkish in Chicago — taxi or rideshare required).

How to Plan This Trip the Smart Way

1. Check flight prices with a comparison site
   Use tools like Kiwi.com to compare flight options that combine Southwest and Turkish tickets into a workable itinerary.
2. Choose your Southwest gateway city
   Southwest serves dozens of U.S. airports — but Turkish Airlines typically flies international routes out of major ones like Chicago O’Hare (ORD), DFW, and IAH. Plan your connecting stop accordingly.
3. Book international legs first
   Secure your Turkish Airlines tickets before adding Southwest segments on either end, especially for international journeys during peak season (summer, Christmas, New Year).
4. Leave extra time between flights
   Treat this like a DIY connection — at least 3-5 hours between arrivals and departures if you change airports. Some connections may require baggage re-check and new security screening.
5. Reserve your first night’s hotel ahead
   After a long-haul flight via Istanbul, you’ll want a smooth landing. Check hotel prices at your destination early to secure deals near city centers or key train stations.
6. Add essential travel insurance
   International travel means more moving parts. Protect your plans with reliable travel insurance coverage, especially if piecing together your own itinerary.

HopStrip-Style Tips and Tools for This Trip

At HopStrip, we believe smarter travel leads to better experiences — not just cheaper flight deals. Here’s how to make the most of Southwest and Turkish Airlines together:

• Combine domestic flexibility with global access: Many travelers can use Southwest points or low fares to position themselves in cities like Dallas, Atlanta, or LA — then fly long-haul in comfort via Turkish Airlines.
• Pack minimalist and smart: You may need to re-check luggage between airlines. Opt for carry-on-friendly travel bags like the Tortuga Setout or Nomatic Navigator. Don’t forget to pack compressible packing cubes.
• Choose top stopovers for your itinerary: Layovers in Istanbul can be magical. Turkish Airlines offers free stopover hotels or city tours for long-haul travelers. Check their TourIstanbul program for details.
• Combine two trips in one: Use the Southwest flight to build a U.S. city break (like a weekend in Nashville or Denver) just before your international adventure — perfect for using up Southwest points or vouchers.
• Need airport connections? Moving between airports in cities like Chicago or Dallas? Book a fixed-rate airport transfer in advance to reduce stress and potential delays.

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FAQ: Southwest Adds Turkish Airlines as Sixth International Partner

• Q: What does it mean that Southwest adds Turkish Airlines as sixth international partner?
  A: It’s an interline partnership which allows travelers to combine flights from both airlines into one itinerary. While not as seamless as a full codeshare, it offers expanded global access via Turkish Airlines’ routes.
• Q: Will my bags automatically transfer between Southwest and Turkish Airlines?
  A: Not always. Because this is an interline (not codeshare) agreement, travelers should double-check their itinerary and leave time to retrieve and re-check bags between airlines, especially if switching airports.
• Q: Can I book these combined flights directly on Southwest’s site?
  A: As of now, booking may still require using third-party sites or booking Southwest and Turkish legs separately. Use tools like Kiwi.com for smarter combinations.
• Q: What’s the benefit for international travelers in 2025?
  A: The partnership allows budget-savvy or loyalty-focused U.S. travelers to keep using Southwest domestically, while making it easier to access Turkish Airlines’ network to Europe, Africa, and Asia — streamlining logistics for international adventures.
• Q: What are other airlines in Southwest’s partner list?
  A: Before Turkish Airlines, Southwest had five international partners including Volaris, WestJet, and AirTran (now defunct).

Conclusion: Your 2025 Passport Just Got More Powerful

When Southwest adds Turkish Airlines as sixth international partner, it’s more than an airline update — it’s a pivot toward global access for everyday U.S. travelers. Whether you’re planning a classic European summer or crafting a multi-country journey through Asia, Istanbul might now be your ultimate connecting point.

Take the time to book wisely, plan a DIY stopover if you like, and think about travel as a layered experience: domestic positioning + international luxury + smart logistics.

From flexible family trips to adventurous solo escapes, the Southwest-Turkish combo gives HopStrip-style travelers more routes, less hassle, and a whole new reason to pack a bag.