Southwest and EVA Air Expand US Network with New Interline Partnership

Southwest Airlines and EVA Air have announced an interline partnership, connecting EVA Air passengers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago to other US cities with Southwest's network. The agreement provides coordinated ticketing, through-checked baggage service, and streamlined connections across participating airports. Passengers can book a single itinerary with flights operated by both carriers, making connections more efficient.

Southwest Airlines and EVA Air have recently announced a strategic interline partnership aimed at enhancing travel connectivity between the U.S. and Asia. Effective immediately, the agreement connects EVA Air passengers in key U.S. cities, including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), and Chicago (ORD), to other destinations across the United States via Southwest Airlines' extensive network.

The partnership offers several key benefits to travelers. It allows for coordinated ticketing, through-checked baggage service, and streamlined connections across participating airports. Passengers can now book a single itinerary that includes flights operated by both carriers, making connections more efficient and convenient. This new arrangement ensures that passengers receive boarding passes for all segments of their journey at the first point of departure, simplifying the travel process and minimizing the hassle often associated with multiple flight connections.

"This partnership positions EVA Air for long-term growth in an evolving market by combining resources with Southwest Airlines," said EVA Air America Head Office Executive Vice President Andrew Su. "Together, we're streamlining operations, connecting with a broader range of travelers, and responding more swiftly to changing market needs" [1].

Southwest Airlines Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Watterson, also expressed gratitude for the partnership, highlighting its potential to bring new opportunities for access between Asia and the United States. "We're grateful for this new partnership and the additional dimension it brings to our ongoing work to bring more choice in travel experiences with global reach" [1].

The partnership is expected to significantly enhance travel flexibility, making it easier for travelers to explore key destinations across the U.S. and Asia. Currently, EVA Air offers 89 weekly flights to major cities in the U.S. and Canada, with that number increasing to 94 weekly flights by the end of 2025 [2].

This interline agreement unites the flight networks of both airlines, linking EVA Air’s U.S. gateways with Southwest’s extensive domestic routes. Consequently, passengers departing from these four cities can now book a single itinerary that incorporates flights from both carriers, ensuring a smooth, coordinated travel experience.

The streamlined travel experience for passengers is one of the most significant advantages of this interline agreement. For those flying on a combined EVA Air and Southwest Airlines itinerary, the process of ticketing is simplified, and baggage is checked through to the final destination. This means that passengers will not need to retrieve and re-check their luggage when transferring between the two carriers, reducing the usual stress and confusion associated with connecting flights [3].

In summary, the interline partnership between EVA Air and Southwest Airlines is set to revolutionize travel between the U.S. and Asia by providing enhanced connectivity, streamlined booking processes, and a more convenient travel experience for passengers.

References:

[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eva-air-and-southwest-airlines-launch-interline-partnership-to-expand-seamless-travel-between-asia-and-north-america-302539209.html

[2] https://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines-airports/southwest-airlines-and-eva-air-travel-partnership

[3] https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/eva-air-and-southwest-airlines-launch-new-interline-agreement-connecting-travelers-across-u-s-and-asia-with-streamlined-booking-and-travel/