Southwest Airlines has announced a new partnership with Turkish Airlines that will begin in early 2026, expanding its international reach with one-ticket transatlantic journeys between the U.S. and Istanbul.
The agreement will allow travelers to book connections across both carriers’ networks, linking Southwest’s U.S. route map with Turkish Airlines’ global operation.
Partnership Expands Network for Southwest
Turkish Airlines currently serves more than 350 destinations in 132 countries from its hub at Istanbul Airport, including service to 10 U.S. airports also served by Southwest. Under the partnership, international travelers will be able to connect through shared U.S. gateway airports on a single ticket, with bookings available through Turkish Airlines, travel advisors and major travel websites beginning next year.
The Turkish Airlines agreement marks Southwest’s sixth partnership with an overseas carrier announced this year, as the airline continues to expand its network access to destinations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Southwest is also rolling out enhancements to the onboard experience, including a redesigned cabin and the introduction of assigned and extra-legroom seating. Those updates are scheduled to take effect on flights operating from Jan. 27, 2026.
