Southwest Airlines Co. and Air Premia, a carrier based in South Korea, have established an interline partnership to facilitate travel across the Pacific Ocean. The agreement allows passengers to book connecting flights through shared gateway airports in Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Tickets for these combined itineraries are available via Air Premia’s direct channels, third-party travel agents, and online booking platforms.
Air Premia operates out of its global hub at Incheon International Airport, located in the greater Seoul area. The airline provides service to several Asian destinations, including Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its fleet consists of Boeing 787-9 aircraft configured with two distinct cabin classes.
Andrew Watterson, Southwest Airlines Chief Operating Officer, stated that the partnership aligns with the carrier’s goal of pairing value and comfort with high-quality service. He noted that the collaboration adds to Southwest’s portfolio of international partners, offering more global travel options for customers while exposing overseas markets to Southwest’s domestic network.
Yoo Myung-sub, Chief Executive Officer of Air Premia, expressed delight in partnering with one of the largest domestic carriers in the United States. He indicated that the agreement significantly expands travel opportunities for Air Premia customers by providing seamless access to a network of more than 120 destinations. He added that the airlines look forward to expanding the partnership to deliver greater convenience and value to travelers across the Pacific.
With the addition of Air Premia, Southwest now maintains nine active partnerships with overseas carriers. These alliances connect Southwest’s network to destinations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Southwest operates flights to 122 airports across 12 countries and carried more than 134 million customers in 2025.
Air Premia launched its first international service in July 2022. The airline focuses on long-haul routes that low-cost carriers typically avoid, offering premium services at reasonable prices. It has established key routes to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo since its inception.
