DALLAS , Nov. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) has appointed Danielle Collins – a veteran of corporate finance, strategy, and investor relations – as its Managing Director of Investor Relations. Her Southwest Airlines® tenure began Nov. 3.

“Danielle has a proven track record in corporate strategy and investor engagement and is a trusted voice within the institutional investor community,” said Tom Doxey, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Southwest Airlines. “She will be an outstanding asset to Southwest as we continue communicating our transformation, strategic priorities, and long-term value proposition.”

Collins joins Southwest® after a nearly two-decade stint with Shell, where she held roles in accounting, finance process management, and strategic performance while based in Canada . For the past seven years, she led Shell’s relationships with shareholders, analysts, and institutional investors in North America from the company’s Houston headquarters.

“I’m thrilled to join Southwest during such a transformative and exciting period in the Company’s history,” said Collins. “Southwest has a great financial story to tell, and I’m excited to share it with the investment community.”

Originally from the Canadian Province of Newfoundland and Labrador , Collins holds a Bachelor of Arts with a political science focus and Bachelor of Commerce with an accounting focus from Memorial University of Newfoundland .

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. By empowering its more than 72,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 140 million Customers carried in 2024. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025 Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of Sept. 30, 2025

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-announces-danielle-collins-as-airlines-new-head-of-investor-relations-302606169.html

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

Southwest Airlines is currently undergoing a major transformation, which includes charging for checked bags, introducing assigned and extra legroom seating, etc. It goes beyond that, though, as Southwest is also increasingly launching airline partnerships.

Earlier this year, we saw Southwest launch its first partnership with Icelandair, and the expectation is that Southwest will fly to Iceland. Then we saw the airline announce China Airlines as its second partner, and EVA Air as its third partner. Now we’re seeing the airline reveal its fourth partnership, so these are coming along pretty quickly…

New Southwest & Philippine Airlines interline agreement

Southwest Airlines and Philippine Airlines have introduced an interline agreement, which kicks in effective immediately. With this, travelers can start booking tickets that include travel on both Southwest and Philippine Airlines. This is initially available at four transpacific gateways — Honolulu (HNL), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA).

Philippine Airlines is Southwest’s newest airline partner

Here’s how Southwest Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson describes this:

“Each airline partnership brings unique and incremental reach to places around the globe for both carriers and gives more consumers an opportunity to begin or end their journey with Southwest. With nearly 90 flights a day in our schedule that touch the Hawaiian Islands and as California’s largest air carrier, Southwest is positioned like no other airline in serving Philippine Airlines’ passengers arriving or departing the United States.”

For now this partnership only includes an interline agreement. This is the most basic level of cooperation two airlines can have. There’s no codeshare agreement, or loyalty collaboration, or anything. The interline agreement simply makes it possible to book a ticket that includes travel on both airlines. This possibility is already available online, on Philippine Airlines’ website, plus through online travel agencies.

Book tickets with Southwest & Philippine Airlines flights

There’s not really a whole lot to this partnership

Southwest is still new to the world of airline partnerships, so it’s interesting to see the approach the carrier is taking. For example, Icelandair was announced as the first partner, and it seems pretty clear the airlines are actually planning a higher level of cooperation, eventually having a codeshare agreement, frequent flyer reciprocity, etc.

However, it’s interesting to see Southwest now seemingly randomly partnering with Asian carriers. For example, Southwest is partnering with both China Airlines and EVA Air, which are competitors in Taiwan, suggesting there won’t actually be a close level of cooperation between those airlines.

Interestingly, Philippine Airlines also partners with Alaska Airlines, and that comes with more reciprocity in terms of earning and redeeming miles. There’s a lot more consumer benefit there, if you ask me.

I can see big upside to Southwest establishing close partnerships with foreign carriers that enhance the value proposition of the loyalty program. However, just picking up low pro-rated interline revenue doesn’t exactly seem like a strategy that will materially impact financial performance.

Then again, with Southwest no longer being a “premium” airline that includes all kinds of services, I guess the company is more happy with that than in the past, and there’s not much downside to this. Southwest is increasingly dabbling with partnerships

Side note — it’s funny how Southwest’s image used for this partnership shows the tail of a Philippine Airlines Boeing 737, even though the airline doesn’t operate that aircraft type.

Philippine Airlines has Boeing 737s?!

Bottom line

Southwest Airlines and Philippine Airlines have just launched a partnership. In reality, this is the most basic form of cooperation you can have, as this is simply an interline agreement that allows you to book travel including flights on both airlines (while also being able to check bags).

It’s interesting how Southwest’s first partner was Icelandair, where there are actually plans to have closer cooperation over time. Meanwhile the three most recent partnerships all seem to be pretty casual, without any stated plans to expand them beyond the initial phase.

What do you make of Southwest & Philippine Airlines partnering?

Philippine Airlines and Southwest Airlines Revolutionize Pacific Travel with Groundbreaking New Partnership Expanding Global Connectivity and Enhancing Passenger Convenience

Philippine Airlines and Southwest Airlines have teamed up in a groundbreaking partnership that is set to revolutionize cross-Pacific travel. This strategic collaboration combines the strengths of both airlines, offering passengers unparalleled convenience and seamless connections between major U.S. cities and destinations across Asia. By allowing travelers to book single-ticket itineraries that merge the networks of both carriers, the partnership ensures smoother transitions, greater travel options, and more efficient routes. With this alliance, Philippine Airlines strengthens its U.S. connectivity, while Southwest expands its international reach, creating an exceptional travel experience for passengers moving between the Asia-Pacific region and the United States.

Southwest Airlines and Philippine Airlines Forge New Partnership to Boost Pacific Travel Connectivity

Southwest Airlines and Philippine Airlines have unveiled a game-changing interline partnership that aims to enhance travel options between the United States and Asia. The new collaboration expands connectivity across the Pacific, making it easier than ever for passengers to book seamless, single-ticket itineraries that combine both carriers’ networks.

This strategic alliance will allow Philippine Airlines passengers to seamlessly connect to Southwest’s domestic flights from major U.S. hubs, such as Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle/Tacoma (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), and Honolulu (HNL). These key airports will serve as gateways to an array of Southwest destinations, including nearly 50 daily interisland flights in Hawaii. With this new agreement now active on Philippine Airlines’ booking platforms and leading travel websites, travelers can access an expanded array of travel options across both airlines’ extensive networks.

Philippine Airlines, known for its broad range of destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, is strengthening its U.S. connections through this partnership. The airline offers long-haul flights to key American cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, and this new collaboration further aligns its global reach with Southwest’s domestic routes. With smoother transitions between North America and the Asia-Pacific region, passengers can enjoy more options and greater convenience when traveling internationally.

For Southwest Airlines, this partnership marks a significant step in its broader international expansion strategy. Traditionally known as a domestic carrier, Southwest is now broadening its global footprint through interline agreements with international airlines. Philippine Airlines becomes Southwest’s fourth overseas partner, following similar arrangements with other global carriers. The agreement is designed to simplify international transfers for passengers who prefer Southwest’s U.S.-based network, making it easier to combine flights between the two carriers on a single ticket.

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This interline agreement is part of Southwest’s ongoing strategy to expand its international services. As part of its international expansion efforts, Southwest has committed to improving its passenger experience. Beginning January 27, 2026, the airline will offer assigned seating, extra legroom options, and a redesigned cabin on select flights. These upgrades are aimed at enhancing comfort for travelers connecting between Southwest’s domestic flights and international carriers, further improving the overall passenger experience.

Philippine Airlines, which will celebrate its 84th anniversary in 2025, views this partnership as a vital addition to its growing network. With Southwest’s strong presence in U.S. domestic markets, the partnership allows Philippine Airlines to better serve passengers traveling between the U.S. and Asia. The collaboration aligns with Philippine Airlines’ ongoing recovery and post-pandemic expansion plans, which include fleet modernization and digital upgrades designed to streamline the passenger journey.

This partnership also reflects the broader trend of increased cooperation between U.S. and Asia-Pacific airlines, driven by the surging demand for international travel. Both leisure and business travelers stand to benefit from this expanded connectivity, as the new interline option offers greater convenience and efficiency for cross-Pacific travel. The partnership also promises to enhance options for passengers who may have previously faced challenges coordinating international connections with domestic travel in the U.S.

Looking ahead, Southwest Airlines and Philippine Airlines are committed to exploring further opportunities to enhance passenger experiences. With the Asia-U.S. travel market continuing to grow, both airlines are dedicated to expanding their services and improving their connectivity. This partnership is just the beginning of what could be a more extensive network of seamless travel options between the U.S. and Asia in the coming years, further positioning both airlines as key players in international aviation.

Philippine Airlines and Southwest Airlines have launched a groundbreaking partnership to offer seamless connections between the U.S. and Asia, providing travelers with more convenient routes and better travel options. This collaboration enhances connectivity, allowing passengers to easily book combined itineraries across both carriers’ networks.

As the airlines strengthen their collaboration, they are focused on providing a hassle-free travel experience for customers, ensuring that both leisure and business travelers have more choices when navigating the busy Pacific routes. The partnership highlights the growing demand for more integrated and streamlined air travel services, setting the stage for future developments as both Southwest and Philippine Airlines continue to expand their global offerings.

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Southwest Airlines Co welcomes Philippine Airlines as its newest partner carrier, as the two airlines teamed up to connect transoceanic travelers with Southwest-operated flights.

With Philippine Airlines, dozens of new travel options across the Pacific are now available for Southwest patrons through the Philippine flag-carrier as well as third-party travel booking sites.

Philippine Airlines serves airports across the Philippines, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

At present, Southwest Airlines has four overseas air partner-carriers and is actively exploring additional transatlantic partnerships for later this year.

It should also be noted that Southwest is working to bring more choice and enhance the quality and quantity of travel experiences it offers, including a redesigned cabin experience and an ability to book assigned and extra legroom seating on flights operating from 27th January 2026.

Improving connectivity

In the United States, Philippine Airlines and Southwest® are working together to serve international travelers connecting through Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle/Tacoma (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), and Honolulu, Oahu (HNL), where Southwest operates nearly four dozen interisland arrivals and departures a day.

According to Southwest Airlines’ chief operating officer Andrew Watterson: “Each airline partnership brings unique and incremental reach to places around the globe for both carriers and gives more consumers an opportunity to begin or end their journey with Southwest. With nearly 90 flights a day in our schedule that touch the Hawaiian Islands and as California’s largest air carrier, Southwest is positioned like no other airline in serving Philippine Airlines’ passengers arriving or departing the United States.”

Philippine Airlines’ vice-president for revenue management Christoph Gaertner added: “Our interline partnership with Southwest Airlines enables seamless connections and single-ticket journeys across both of our networks. As we continue to expand PAL’s global reach, this collaboration provides more travel options and greater flexibility, giving our guests access to a wider range of destinations in the United States.”

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has added Southwest Airlines Co. as its third US partner, strengthening its trans-Pacific network and giving travelers more seamless connections across America.

The new interline partnership links PAL’s long-haul flights with Southwest’s extensive domestic routes, allowing passengers to book single-ticket journeys and check bags through to their final destination, even without a full codeshare setup.

This latest deal complements PAL’s existing US partnerships with American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, expanding its reach to more cities nationwide.

Under the arrangement, PAL travelers can now connect via Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, and Honolulu—major Southwest hubs with nearly four dozen interisland flights daily.

Management’s view

“Each airline partnership brings unique and incremental reach to places around the globe for both carriers and gives more consumers an opportunity to begin or end their journey with Southwest,” said Andrew Watterson, chief operating officer at Southwest.

“With nearly 90 flights a day in our schedule that touch the Hawaiian Islands and as California’s largest air carrier, Southwest is positioned like no other airline in serving Philippine Airlines’ passengers arriving or departing the United States,” he added.

“Our interline partnership with Southwest Airlines enables seamless connections and single-ticket journeys across both of our networks,” said Christoph Gaertner, vice president of revenue management at PAL.

“As we continue to expand PAL’s global reach, this collaboration provides more travel options and greater flexibility, giving our guests access to a wider range of destinations in the United States,” he said.

—Edited by Miguel R. Camus