Is Southwest part of an alliance?

Southwest Airlines does not belong to an airline alliance, nor does it partner with any other airlines independently, so your Rapid Rewards points cannot take you to places such as Europe or Asia when used directly for flights.



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There are three major airline alliances: SkyTeam, Star Alliance and Oneworld. Each has different partner airlines. You may have benefitted from an alliance without even realizing it.

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Members of the Star Alliance include: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, Eva Air, Lot Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, ...

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The current list of non-alliance partners includes:
  • Jet Airways.
  • Aegean Airlines - another leftover Star Alliance partner.
  • Air China - yet another leftover Star Alliance partner.
  • Hawaiian Airlines - (inter-island and South Pacific flights only).
  • South African Airways - another leftover Star Alliance partner.


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With Star Alliance, you can redeem these for flights on any member airline, irrespective of where you earned them.

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With 26 members, the Star Alliance also has the largest number of airlines in its portfolio. SkyTeam has 19 members, including Air France and KLM in Europe. Oneworld is the smallest alliance, with only 13 members (including British Airways).

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Star leadership in Frankfurt and Chicago would have vetoed the plan. Emirates Airlines is a unique airline that has chosen to remain independent and not join any of the leading airline alliances. This allows them to maintain their own identity, while still providing customers with access to an extensive global network.

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With an impressive 26 members, Star Alliance was founded in 1997 by Lufthansa, Air Canada, United Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Thai Airways. Today it services 1,200-plus airports (even more with their connection partners) and is the largest airline alliance.

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Budget airlines, also, are chosen not for their ease, efficiency or amiability, but solely on the basis of their price – and so RyanAir and EasyJet, among others, are not part of any alliance.

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Southwest isn't a major international carrier. To go to Europe, Asia, South America, Africa or Oceania, you'll need to fly another airline: » Learn more: Which Southwest Airlines credit card should I get?

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SkyTeam sits in the middle of the pack as far as global airline alliances go. Star Alliance is the largest with 26 members, and Oneworld is the smallest with 14 carriers on its roster.

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You can get into Star Alliance lounges by flying in a premium cabin or holding Star Alliance Gold status. Some lounges also offer access via Priority Pass or day passes. However you access a Star Alliance lounge, it's a great place to enjoy some peace and quiet before a flight.

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Oneworld alliance vs. When flying within the U.S., Star Alliance members must fly United to enjoy Star Alliance perks. But Oneworld members can enjoy perks on either American or Alaska. Also, as previously mentioned, Star Alliance only offers two tiers of elite status vs. Oneworld's three tiers of elite status.

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