Southwest Airlines has recently announced a new partnership with German leisure carrier Condor, set to launch in January 2026. Through this interline agreement, Southwest will be able to book customers on itineraries that include a leg operated by Condor, with tickets routed through one of six Southwest hubs in the US. This marks yet another change in Southwest’s business model as it adapts to the current US market. The airline has previously formed partnerships with Icelandair, China Airlines, EVA Air, and Philippine Airlines.
Interline agreements are a basic level of cooperation between airlines, but they can pave the way for closer partnerships. In Southwest’s case, they have already worked on expanding their existing agreement with Icelandair. This new partnership with Condor allows Southwest to sell itineraries to Frankfurt and beyond with the transatlantic leg operated by Condor. Similarly, Condor will now be able to sell tickets to the US with the domestic leg operated by Southwest. Passengers will receive a single boarding pass and have their bags checked through to their final destination.
This partnership is a significant move for Southwest, as the airline has traditionally operated independently. However, with five airline partners now under their belt, it is clear that they are open to forming alliances. Interline agreements are just the first step, with other agreements potentially including codesharing, reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, and revenue sharing.
According to Southwest’s Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson, “Adding Condor to our portfolio of partners brings transatlantic journeys between dozens of airports in the U. S. and exciting and aspirational places Condor serves. ” This partnership will allow Southwest to offer more choices to potential customers around the world, showcasing their operational reliability and the warmth of their staff.
Condor currently serves nine destinations in the US from its hub in Frankfurt Airport. While three of these airports (Anchorage, New York-JFK, and Miami) are not covered in the interline agreement, they have little to no presence from Southwest. Southwest is now Condor’s fourth US interline partner, in addition to their codeshare agreement with Alaska Airlines.
In recent years, Condor has been making efforts to upgrade its fleet and interiors, as well as expanding its long-haul network out of Frankfurt. This move is seen as a way to compete with the major advantage that Lufthansa has across the Atlantic – their joint venture with United Airlines. By expanding their network of US partners, Condor hopes to strengthen their market position.
Southwest’s partnership with Condor is just one of the many changes the airline has made in recent years. These changes have been met with some controversy, but overall the interline agreements are a net benefit for both the airline and its customers. As a domestic-focused carrier with no widebody aircraft, Southwest has been unable to tap into the growing market for long-haul premium leisure travel. These partnerships now allow them to send their loyal customers to more international destinations, boosting loyalty.