Southwest Airlines, headquartered at Love Field in Dallas, has recently announced a new partnership with a German-based ticketing distributor, HahnAir. This partnership will allow Southwest to expand its global reach by providing ticketing access to 100,000 travel agencies in 190 markets outside of the United States.

According to Andrew Watterson, Southwest’s chief operating officer, this partnership is especially beneficial for visitors to the US who need to travel within the country. He states, “Our partnership with Hahnair allows for the sale of Southwest tickets in geographies where we don’t fly today, in local currencies.

While Southwest CEO Bob Jordan has hinted at the possibility of long-haul international flights, it is uncertain if this partnership is a step in that direction. However, it could potentially help Southwest establish a presence with customers overseas.

This partnership with HahnAir is the fourth international collaboration that Southwest has entered into this year. These agreements with EVA Air, China Airlines, and Icelandair allow Southwest to connect its domestic route network with the international routes of its partner carriers.

Alexander Proschka, chief commercial officer of Hahnair, expressed excitement about welcoming Southwest to their network of over 350 partner carriers. He stated, “Through this partnership, Hahnair is offering travel agencies around the globe access to Southwest Airlines’ extensive flight offerings, while at the same time delivering an efficient and comprehensive distribution solution.

As Southwest continues to evaluate the possibility of long-haul international flights, this partnership with HahnAir will allow them to reach a wider audience and potentially pave the way for future expansion. With their extensive domestic network and now global reach, Southwest is well-positioned to meet the needs of travelers both within and outside of the United States.