Icelandair and Southwest enter bilateral partnership

Icelandair and Southwest Airlines have entered a bilateral partnership set to begin in 2025.

The partnership will allow travellers to “easily connect” between the two airlines’ networks and marks the first international airline partnership for the US low-cost carrier.

The initial gateway city for this partnership will be Baltimore, with other destinations to follow, according to the carriers.

Icelandair president and CEO, Bogi Nils Bogason, said: “We are very excited to add Southwest to our impressive partnership portfolio and are honored to be chosen as their initial airline partner… As part of our strategic focus on expanding our global partnership network, we seek out airlines known for exceptional service and connectivity.”

Southwest executive vice president, commercial transformation, Ryan Green, added: “Icelandair will become our initial partner through a shared focus on warm hospitality and value in air travel that both carriers strive to offer, enabling Southwest to further our global reach beyond the nearly 120 destinations we serve in North America.”

Icelandair on Thursday also announced the addition of a new four-times-weekly service to Nashville as part of its 2025 schedule. The direct service between Reykjavík and Nashville, Tennessee will operate from 16 May, 2025, through to October, 2025.

The carrier’s network currently consists of 34 destinations in Europe and 17 in North America.