Both the US and India are high-traffic markets for Turkish Airlines. After having expanded beyond New Delhi and Mumbai through IndiGo in India, Turkish Airlines is eyeing expansion across USA through Southwest Airlines, a leading low-cost carrier headquartered in Texas. The recently announced Turkish-Southwest partnership will take effect in early 2026, enabling seamless domestic connections through America for both inbound and outbound passengers of Turkish Airlines.
Benefits of Turkish–Southwest partnership for US–India travelers
Currently, Turkish Airlines operates point-to-point flights between USA and India via Istanbul. Within the US, it does not serve destinations beyond its 14 American gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, Dallas DFW, Houston, NY JFK, Newark EWR, and Washington DC (IAD). As an interline partner, Southwest Airlines will provide further domestic connections from 10 of Turkish Airlines gateways in the US.
Starting in 2026, you will be able to continue your journey on Southwest Airlines’ domestic flights from:
- Atlanta to Memphis, Nashville, Montgomery, Charleston, Raleigh
- Boston to Philadelphia, Portland, Hartford, Atlantic City
- Chicago to Minneapolis, Columbus, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville
- Seattle to Alaska, Portland, Boise, Salem
- Los Angeles to Phoenix, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston
- San Francisco to Las Vegas, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Santa Barbara
- DC IAD to Charleston, Charlotte, Lexington, Cleveland
- Detroit to Madison, Cincinnati, Des Moines, Indianapolis, Cleveland
Precisely, Turkish Airlines’ passengers from India and other countries can fly to their final destinations from the above 10 entry airports in USA. Likewise, travelers from Southwest Airlines’ domestic network can seamlessly board Turkish Airlines flights to India and other destinations at those major US gateway airports. The Southwest-Turkish partnership will help expand your itineraries on single flight tickets, making it easier to manage the journey. Turkish Airlines’ global passengers can travel to over 100 US cities where Türkiye’s flag carrier does not fly to.
Turkish Airlines’ baggage allowance through Southwest’s domestic network
Effective 28 May 2025, Southwest Airlines eliminated its liberal “bags fly free” policy to charge domestic passengers for checked bags. Southwest Airlines’ new checked baggage fee is $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second bag. But Turkish Airlines’ passengers are exempt from paying Southwest Airlines’ checked baggage fees due to the Turkish-Southwest partnership. Turkish Airlines’ free checked baggage allowance will apply throughout your itinerary including the leg to be operated by Southwest Airlines.
