Etihad Airways and US carrier Southwest Airlines have announced a loyalty partnership that will let members of their frequent-flyer programmes earn and redeem rewards across both airlines’ networks from Spring 2027, Etihad said.

Under the deal, members of Etihad Guest, Etihad’s loyalty programme, will be able to earn miles on eligible Southwest flights. They can redeem them for travel across Southwest’s network in the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, according to an Etihad press release.

Members of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards programme will be able to earn points on eligible Etihad flights and redeem them across Etihad’s global network, which the airline said includes new destinations such as Krabi, Zanzibar and Hanoi.

Mark Potter, managing director of Etihad Guest, said the partnership adds to the programme’s growing list of loyalty partners and to Etihad’s presence in North America. “We look forward to welcoming Rapid Rewards members onboard Etihad soon,” he said.

Nandika Suri, vice president of Rapid Rewards at Southwest, said the partnership would give members more value from their membership. She said Southwest was pleased to “connect our Members with more destinations and rewarding travel experiences.”

Etihad said its Etihad Guest miles can be redeemed for flights, cabin upgrades, hotel stays, holidays, and items from its reward shop. Southwest said Rapid Rewards members can earn points on all fares and redeem them for any available seat on Southwest-operated flights, with no blackout dates and points that do not expire.

The release said Etihad operates direct flights to Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, New York City and Washington in the United States, and to Toronto in Canada. Direct flights to Calgary are due to begin on Oct 25. It added that passengers travelling to the US via Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport can clear US immigration and customs before departure at the airport’s US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility.

Further details will be available on Etihad’s website after the partnership launches next year, the airline said.

Source: PR