Klarna lands Southwest Airlines, bringing flexible payments to millions of US travelers this fall
Klarna, the global digital bank and payments provider, and Southwest Airlines® today announced a long-term partnership to bring new flexible, transparent payment options to millions of Southwest® customers across the United States.
More than one in four Americans say they're more likely to book when flexible payment options are available at checkout1. Starting later this year, travelers booking on Southwest.com® and the Southwest® app will be able to choose from Klarna’s range of payment options at checkout, including paying in full, splitting the cost into four interest-free installments, or financing their trip over time.
"Southwest has spent over 50 years making flying accessible to more Americans, and we're proud to be the partner that takes that mission one step further," said David Sykes, Chief Commercial Officer at Klarna. "Whether booking a long weekend or a cross-country trip, millions of travelers will now have access to Klarna's flexible payment options at checkout, providing a smart booking experience that gives travelers more choice in how they pay."
The partnership places Klarna in front of one of the largest travel audiences in the country. Southwest carries more nonstop domestic passengers than any other U.S. airline, serving over 134 million customers in 2025.2 For Klarna, the deal marks another milestone in its push to become the default payment choice for travel. No other player in the space matches Klarna's global scale or the breadth - 119 million consumers across 26 countries - of its financial products, from flexible payments to savings and spending tools. Known for its transparent pricing and customer-first approach, Southwest is a natural partner for Klarna as it continues to scale its presence in travel.
