Airline Corporation of America initiates booking collaboration with Southwest Airlines

China Airlines and Southwest Airlines Announce Interline Booking Partnership

China Airlines Ltd (CAL) and Southwest Airlines have announced a new interline booking service, marking a significant milestone for both airlines. The partnership, which was announced at a joint news conference in Long Beach, California, makes CAL Southwest's first partner in Asia.

The service, available for booking from January 19, 2023, will be available for itineraries starting from the same date. Passengers can book a single ticket from CAL that includes flights from Taiwan to US gateways and connections to Southwest flights to cities such as Las Vegas, Nevada; Dallas and Houston, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, Ontario and San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and Toronto.

CAL currently offers nonstop flights to Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, Ontario and San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and Toronto. With this partnership, the airline aims to expand its US network and attract more tourists to Taiwan.

Steven Swan, managing director of networks and alliances at Southwest Airlines, visited Taiwan in early March to initiate alliance discussions. Southwest Airlines, the fourth-largest airline operator in the US, transports more domestic passengers than any other US airline, with over 4,000 flights daily.

The alliance opens the possibility for the recognition of mileage points between the two airlines, allowing passengers to earn and redeem points across both airlines. This is expected to be a significant benefit for frequent flyers on both sides.

The first partnership of China Airlines Ltd was with EVA Air. Recently, another Taiwanese airline, Starlux Airlines, signed a similar agreement with American Airlines last week. This trend of partnerships among Taiwanese airlines and their global counterparts is expected to continue, strengthening Taiwan's position in the global aviation industry.

CAL president Kevin Chen was present at the news conference, expressing his excitement about the partnership. He said, "We are thrilled to partner with Southwest Airlines, one of the leading airlines in the US. This partnership will provide our passengers with more travel options and a seamless travel experience."

The new service allows passengers to book a single ticket for their entire journey from Taiwan to various cities in the US, making travel planning easier and more convenient for passengers. This partnership is expected to boost tourism between Taiwan and the US, benefiting both economies.