Southwest Airlines flyers can now compare airfares to other major airlines on Google’s flight search engine.
The Dallas-based airline has long been off the Google platform and other third-party sites, where many travelers search for a flight based on when they plan to travel and how much they are looking to spend. Google Flights even lets travelers look at one airline there and another back during a trip. Instead, the airline has always emphasized on its website and mobile app. Southwest is currently “piloting” this partnership with Google, to extend its marketing efforts.
Holders of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards card have been able to book directly through Chase’s travel portal.
Southwest flyers can now compare different fare options and click directly to the company’s website to book a selected itinerary along its 800 nonstop routes during the peak summer travel season.
It’s among a few changes the airline is considering right now as it reevaluates its operation. Last quarter, the airline announced it would cut service to four airports. Southwest also reported a $231 million loss and the airline’s CEO Bob Jordan said the air carrier was “considering more transformational options” which includes a study around customer preference for seating and the cabin.