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Is Southwest looking to change course and partner with other airlines?

June 03, 2022
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2 min read
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Is Southwest looking to change course and partner with other airlines?
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Is Southwest Airlines about to form alliances or partnerships with other carriers for the first time in recent decades? A new job posting suggests that might be on the table.

The airline posted a new opening for a senior manager of "airline partnerships" role based out of its Dallas headquarters.

Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and founder of Atmosphere Research, first spotted the listing. It wasn't immediately clear when the job was first posted.

In the posting, the carrier suggests it's looking to initiate partnerships with other airlines, including interline and codeshare agreements, with the goal of "deliver[ing] incremental revenue to Southwest and enhance Southwest’s Customer proposition while aligning with Southwest’s Commercial priorities."

The manager in the new role would "[m]anage the development, communication, and execution of Southwest’s entry into airline partnerships and develop and maintain relationships with potential partner carriers so that Southwest can successfully launch and build strong partnerships," according to the job summary.

"Collaborate across both Commercial and Operational Divisions to ensure smooth entry and implementation of agreements and working with partner carriers to ensure a smooth journey for all Customers," the summary reads.

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The listing did not give a timeline for any potential partnerships, and Southwest declined to comment when TPG reached out.

It's not clear what potential partnerships might look like. This movement could involve interlining with foreign carriers to enable Southwest to serve connecting passengers from abroad; it could also involve partnering with another U.S. airline, similar to the Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue. It could also mean something else entirely.

One potential option could be a joint venture like the one between Allegiant and Mexican low-cost airline Viva Aerobus, in which the airlines essentially distribute each other's flights but don't offer connecting or overlapping flights on any routes.

Such a partnership could also help Southwest begin to effectively sell tickets to foreign-originating travelers; thus far, the airline has been unable to make sales in a foreign currency. For instance, Southwest can't profitably serve an international market like Canada without accepting ticket purchases in Canadian dollars.

This job posting suggests Southwest is serious about the prospect of partnering with other airlines, but it's likely still early in the process.

Featured image by DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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