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Southwest Airlines has announced a new interline partnership with Taiwan’s EVA Air.
Unveiled on Aug. 25, the interline will enable customers to book transpacific itineraries with EVA through an initial four gateways: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago.
“This partnership is another step forward as we continue our mission to bring more choices (and new horizons) to our customers,” Southwest said in a social media post. It marks the third interline relationship to be announced by the carrier in 2025, following Icelandair and Taiwanese flag carrier China Airlines.
EVA has a 48.5% market share from Taiwan to the U.S., according to CAPA data for the week of Aug. 25, with 50,000 weekly seats. The carrier operates an in-service fleet of 80 aircraft; Aviation Week Network’s Fleet Discovery database shows a mix comprising Airbus A321s (15), A330s (seven), Boeing 777s (39), and 787s (19).
Dallas-based Southwest has voiced enthusiasm for international partnerships as it looks to expand its reach and evolve the brand’s offerings in pursuit of sustained profitability. A “progression” of its partnerships may be ahead, as those relationships “can become more comprehensive over time,” CFO Tom Doxey noted during a June TD Cowen conference.
Meanwhile, the carrier is exploring the potential for transatlantic flying on its own metal and has initiated discussions with flight attendant and pilot unions to negotiate any required changes to the contracts in place. The limited international flying under consideration is “outside of the regions of North, Central, and South America,” and “would be accomplished solely by SWAPA pilots,” on 737 MAX aircraft, detailed Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) President Jody Reven.
Southwest already serves near-international destinations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, with roughly 2% of its seats deployed into international markets, according to data from CAPA for the week of Aug. 25.
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