AVIATION: ETIHAD AIRWAYS AND SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ANNOUNCE LOYALTY PARTNERSHIP

• Etihad Guest and Rapid Rewards members will be able to earn and redeem their respective loyalty currency across both airlines’ flights and networks from Spring 2027
• Loyalty partnership will open more rewarding journeys on both Etihad’s global network and Southwest Airlines’ extensive network across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean

TTT NEWS NETWORK

KOLKATA | 16 OCTOBER 2026

Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of the UAE’s national airline, Etihad Airways, and Rapid Rewards, the loyalty programme of Southwest Airlines, the leading carrier for nonstop domestic travel in the US, have announced a loyalty partnership allowing members to earn and redeem across both airlines’ networks.

From Spring 2027, Etihad Guest members will be able to earn Etihad Guest Miles on eligible Southwest Airlines flights and redeem their miles for reward travel across Southwest’s network spanning the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Rapid Rewards members will likewise be able to earn Rapid Rewards points on eligible Etihad flights and redeem their points for travel across Etihad’s expanding global network, including new destinations like Krabi, Zanzibar and Hanoi.

Mark Potter, Managing Director, Etihad Guest, said: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Southwest Airlines and Rapid Rewards, an exciting addition to our growing portfolio of loyalty partners and Etihad’s presence across North America. We look forward to welcoming Rapid Rewards members onboard Etihad soon, to explore our growing global network and experience our signature hospitality, while offering Etihad Guest members greater access to destinations across the United States, Central America and the Caribbean. This partnership brings together two programmes with a shared focus on rewarding loyalty and giving members greater choice wherever their journeys take them.”

Nandika Suri, Vice President Rapid Rewards, Southwest Airlines, said: “Our international loyalty partnership with Etihad Guest will give Rapid Rewards members even more value from their membership and create exciting opportunities to earn and redeem points across Etihad’s global network beginning in Spring 2027. We’re pleased to connect our Members with more destinations and rewarding travel experiences, while welcoming Etihad Guest members to enjoy the Southwest Airlines network providing access to dozens of destinations across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.”

Etihad Guest Miles can be redeemed for flights, cabin upgrades, worldwide hotel stays and holidays, as well as a wide range of products through the Etihad Guest Reward Shop. Rapid Rewards is designed to make earning and using points simple and flexible, giving members the ability to 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.

Etihad operates direct flights to Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, New York City and Washington in the United States, as well as direct flights to Toronto in Canada, with direct Calgary flights launching on 25 October. Guests travelling to the US via Zayed International Airport enjoy the benefit of Abu Dhabi’s United States Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility, the only one of its kind in the region. This allows guests to clear U.S. immigration and customs before departure, arriving in the United States as domestic travellers and saving valuable time on arrival.