Southwest Airlines begins interline partnership with Singapore Airlines
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine, its editorial staff or the publisher.
Southwest Airlines has announced an interline partnership with Singapore Airlines. Image credit: Southwest Airlines Instagram
In what many might wonder is a slightly bizarre move, Singapore Airlines has teamed up with Southwest on a major code-sharing agreement. This means for Asia-based travelers into the U.S., onward journeys can be all inclusively tied to a Southwest connection, and obviously vice versa.
Andrew Watterson, Southwest's COO said that “Singapore Airlines becomes the eighth carrier in our partnership portfolio, exemplified by its quality and reach... Journeys that pair Southwest and Singapore Airlines not only connect new geographies but also create consistent high-quality customer experiences.”
My obvious comment here is that whilst codesharing and interlining connecting locations is convenient and welcome, to assert a similarity in “quality” is probably pushing it.
The other big question is where does it leave Star Alliance and United? Surely this is supposed to be the Dream Team with miles and alliance benefits all included.
As an interline agreement, there is no reciprocal loyalty benefits for earning or spending miles.
The single advantage here is allowing travelers smoother booking itineraries that include both carriers on a single ticket and checking bags to their final destinations.
Southwest and Singapore Airlines share three U.S. airports (LAX, SFO, SEA). Asian passengers can fly Singapore Airlines, enter the U.S. at any of these three gateways, and continue onward to 120 Southwest locations from these points.
My concern is the consistency and quality level. Southwest is not a bad airline by any means, but to suggest you can transit from Singapore's Business or Premium/Economy onto a U.S. domestic carrier and not feel the difference is unrealistic. And again… where does this leave United which also flies direct from the three U.S. entry points to many of the same Southwest locations?
I am sure it has been thought through, but has it? Really?
