Southwest Airlines Passengers Can Now Earn and Use Points on Icelandair

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards members will soon be able to redeem points for travel on Icelandair, adding new value to Pittsburgh International Airport’s nonstop service to Iceland and expanding travel options across both airlines’ networks.

Beginning in spring 2027, Southwest Rapid Rewards members will be able to earn and redeem points on eligible Icelandair travel. Icelandair loyalty program members, meanwhile, will be able to earn points and credits when flying on Southwest.

The expanded benefits mark the next phase of the carriers’ partnership, which is especially important in Pittsburgh where Southwest is the leading carrier of passenger traffic. Previously, Southwest customers could earn points only on a Southwest-operated portion of an eligible interline itinerary, not on flights operated by Icelandair.

An Icelandair Boeing 737 MAX 8 comes into land at PIT from Reykjavik on June 19, 2026. (Photo by Evan Dougherty)

The partnership, formalized in January 2025, allows customers to book single itineraries combining flights on both airlines and check baggage through to their final destinations. The expanded loyalty benefits will further integrate the carriers’ networks, giving travelers more ways to earn rewards while accessing destinations beyond both airlines’ nonstop routes.

The new perks will be in place for any passengers heading to Iceland and beyond to Europe when Icelandair resumes Pittsburgh service May 20, 2027.

“Southwest is an excellent partner, and as our partnership develops, more and more travel options are becoming available to customers of both airlines,” said Icelandair Chief Commercial Officer Tómas Ingason in a statement. “This latest addition is a welcome one, as customers can now both earn and redeem their loyalty points for the entire journey across the two airlines’ route networks.”

Pittsburgh is one of only seven U.S. airports named as a designated gateway for both Southwest and Icelandair, making PIT an important North American market for the partnership.

For PIT travelers, the expanded loyalty benefits increase flexibility for individuals flying between Pittsburgh and Europe as airline mileage pooling and sharing have become top priorities for consumers.

A Southwest Boeing 737-800 departs from PIT on July 3, 2026. (Photo by Evan Dougherty)

For Southwest, the partnership’s expansion comes as the airline continues to add more service in Pittsburgh. It is already PIT’s largest carrier by market share, accounting for over 26 percent of the airport’s total traffic, as of September 2026. In the first half of 2027, Southwest is scheduled to increase its capacity at PIT by 14 percent year-over-year, giving the carrier its largest spring and summer schedules ever in Pittsburgh.

In its latest schedule extension issued earlier this month, Southwest announced new nonstop, seasonal service to Panama City Beach, Fla.; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Savannah, Ga., and expanded daily service to Destin-Fort Walton Beach, beginning in June 2027. The expansion brings Southwest up to 25 nonstop destinations from PIT, the most of any airline at the airport.

Icelandair began seasonal service at PIT in 2024, connecting Pittsburgh with Reykjavik. The route is one of three nonstop routes between Pittsburgh and Europe, alongside British Airways to London-Heathrow and Aer Lingus to Dublin, which began in May 2026. Icelandair operates up to four weekly flights between Pittsburgh and Reykjavik from May through October.

Beyond Reykjavik, Icelandair serves nearly 35 destinations across Europe. The airline’s European network includes major destinations such as Paris, London and Amsterdam; Nordic cities including Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo; and popular year-round markets such as Rome, Lisbon, Barcelona and Prague. Starting April 9, 2027, Icelandair will add service to Madrid, further expanding its European service for travelers connecting through its Reykjavik hub.

Additionally, Icelandair offers its unique “stopover” option where travelers can add up to a week-long layover in Iceland at no extra airfare cost before continuing to their final destinations.