Southwest Airlines has undergone a major transformation in recent times. The company has started charging for checked bags, introduced assigned and extra legroom seating, etc. It’s not stopping there, though.
In early September 2026, the Dallas-based carrier formally revealed plans to launch an airport lounge network, with the first locations expected to open before the end of 2027, and for them to be run in partnership with Chase.
There’s now an additional detail — the airline has revealed the name of its lounge network, and has also released the first rendering. This revelation comes as part of a larger Rapid Rewards overhaul announcement, which I’ll cover in a separate post.
Southwest airport lounges opening as of late 2027
Southwest Airlines has unveiled plans for its first-ever airport lounge network, marking a new chapter for the Southwest travel experience.
The airline is “partnering with Chase to bring together Southwest’s signature Hospitality and the success of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network to create a premium and welcoming airport experience.”
As it’s described, “the lounges will combine premium amenities, thoughtful and local design, and the warmth of Southwest’s culture to create distinctive spaces where Customers can relax, get work done, or simply enjoy the lounge before they travel.”
We’ve now also learned the name of the lounge network, as they’ll be known as Southwest Icon Lounges, intended to “celebrate Southwest’s 55-year legacy — from Herb Kelleher’s people-first philosophy to the Customers and Employees who continue to shape its story.”
Construction has already started on the first four lounge locations, which are expected to open in late 2027. These locations include:
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
The airline claims this is only the beginning of a broader lounge footprint across the Southwest system, with at least seven more lounges planned to open over the next several years across high-demand business and leisure markets. While they haven’t been officially announced, we have reason to believe that work is underway for Southwest lounge locations to open in Dallas (DAL), Denver (DEN), Orlando (MCO), and Washington (DCA).
Below is the first rendering of a Southwest Icon Lounge, specifically, of the location in Nashville. I must say, that looks mighty elegant! These won’t just be break rooms with packaged peanuts.
Here’s what Tony Roach, Southwest’s Chief Customer & Brand Officer, had to say about the lounge network:
“Southwest Airlines has built one of the most trusted brands in travel1 by delivering authentic Hospitality that Customers value. Our lounges will be a natural extension of that experience, offering Customers a place to relax and experience the Southwest brand in a new way. The introduction of a lounge network represents a strategic investment in Rapid Rewards and deepens our 30-year partnership with Chase.”
Who will have access to Southwest airport lounges?
Southwest seems to be finding success just increasingly matching the competition, rather than trying to differentiate itself. So it’s also not surprising to see the airline open a lounge network, especially as part of a larger credit card strategy.
So, who will be able to access these lounges? As of now, all we know is that a new, premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card will launch in 2027, and that will provide access to the new Southwest lounge network. So it sounds like Southwest lounges won’t generally be open to Priority Pass members, though who knows how things will evolve.
I do think it’s interesting how there’s mention of the excellent Chase Sapphire Lounge network. I can’t help but wonder if we also see those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve get access to Southwest’s lounge network, with this essentially becoming an extension of the Sapphire Lounge network. Or maybe we’ll see a new spending requirement added to the Sapphire Reserve to get access to these lounges?
Conversely, could this premium credit card also offer access to Chase Sapphire Lounges? This is all speculation at this point, but I think there could be something creative here. That’s especially true when you consider Southwest also has a presence at several airports with Chase Sapphire Lounges, and I can’t imagine they’ll want to replicate networks.
Bottom line
Southwest Airlines plans to open airport lounges as of late 2027, and they’ll be known as Southwest Icon Lounges. These lounges will be accessible via a new premium credit card, which will also launch in 2027.
The airline plans to open at least 11 lounges, and the first four locations have been revealed, and will be in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville. Beyond that, we have very few details, so we’ll still have to mark this as “developing.”
What do you make of Southwest’s plans to open lounges?
Interestingly, I didn’t see Nashville mentioned as a potential location for a first round lounge and the airport has two open lounge spaces that have been sitting empty for almost 2 years…
Will be interesting to see the rules for use and access evolve. Personally, I think a WN / Chase collaboration will water down the Chase brand, especially with regard to its evolving lounge network.
I expected United and Chase to get to a similar tie up with reciprocal lounge access (such as amex plat / delta reserve) before southwest. Interesting choice on Chase's part, but perhaps the low quality of united clubs is partly the reason
I think a lot of people on here have suspected that United didn't want to offer CSR-holders club access in part to avoid the crowding issues that some Delta lounges have, and also because United wanted more people to directly engage with them through the co-branded cards (just like you have to book economy flights with their cards to get checked bags included).
Hope no “Roaches” show up!
SWA is horrible. Most delays and horrible customer service. Not expecting much different from their lounges either. Sometimes I miss Spirit lol
LAS and PHX would be hosed if cross-access is given, they’re already at capacity, and both have a large WN presence. My guess is CSR gets WN lounge access if flying WN, à la Amex Plat/ DL lounges.
Southwest lounges closely related to Chase Sapphire lounges... which are run by The Club. Wondering if they're just going to look like The Club but with Southwest colors
Surprised MDW wasn’t one of the first four? Maybe no current space?
You can't swing a dead cat at MDW without hitting something.
From the reaction, it's clear that no one under the age of 55 has ever heard of the phrase "swing a dead cat". Look it up, then delete your Yowzers!.
Other than charging folks more for things they used to not have to pay for... I remain skeptical that Southwest will actually pull-off any major changes, like these lounges, or actual recliners (2-2, domestic first, what I prefer to call 'premium economy'). Time will tell.
Clearly, these days, the 'name of the game' is the co-branded credit card revenue, so if Chase is backing this, like Amex does for Delta (and their SkyClubs), then...
Other than charging folks more for things they used to not have to pay for... I remain skeptical that Southwest will actually pull-off any major changes, like these lounges, or actual recliners (2-2, domestic first, what I prefer to call 'premium economy'). Time will tell.
Clearly, these days, the 'name of the game' is the co-branded credit card revenue, so if Chase is backing this, like Amex does for Delta (and their SkyClubs), then perhaps, this all can and will indeed happen. Otherwise, lotta hype.
Like, if it's for real, I wonder if CSR $75K spend benefits, like the $500 travel credit for WN purchases via Chase Travel, will include lounge passes, etc., if this does ever happen.
At this rate. I see them joining an alliance. Lol.
Which alliance would even be available to Southwest? All three are already well represented in the U.S. by major competitors.
Yeah, well, I’m gonna go build my own alliance … with blackjack and hookers!
Bad timing for folks in San Antonio. Southwest and the Airport spent who knows how much in attorney fees fighting in court over access to the new terminal C, which will feature clubs from the big three in 2028. Southwest was kept out, with one of the factors being ... not having lounges.
Post settlement, Southwest now gets gates across the three terminals, but I have to wonder if a larger Terminal C or...
Bad timing for folks in San Antonio. Southwest and the Airport spent who knows how much in attorney fees fighting in court over access to the new terminal C, which will feature clubs from the big three in 2028. Southwest was kept out, with one of the factors being ... not having lounges.
Post settlement, Southwest now gets gates across the three terminals, but I have to wonder if a larger Terminal C or a faster rebuild for Terminal B, including a Southwest lounge is in the works. We will see.
Elbee, the sleuth. Nice. Tbf Southwest doesn’t need to have a lounge in San Antonio to . It would be behoove them to spend that new lounge money in Houston and Dallas (ASAP!!) and other locations (New Mexico, AZ, Cali, Denver come to mind).
Besides. AA will probably need to give up their lounge space not too far out. lol AA is cooked.
Maybe I am jumping the gun, but when SW sued the city of San Antonio, the city was essentially offering them all of Terminal A, and they said no. Partially because it is cramped concourse wise, but I think also because it has no lounge space available. I think in an ideal world, they would want a lounge in all 4 of the big Texas cities as they are deeply tied to all four historically.
Southwest also announced codesharing with LOT Polish Airlines yesterday (on select routes). Looks like part of a wider strategy. Btw I was surprised LO no longer codeshares with UA (?)
I'm surprised that Southwest got a deal with Chase rather than United. If United is trying to be like Delta seems to me like they would want the same relationship AMEX and Delta have with CSR having access to United Clubs (maybe limited visits when flying United) and top United cardholders having access to Chase lounges
I don’t think United wants to bring even more people into their already overcrowded lounge network… ie every sapphire reserve card holder…
When the new concourse at STL gets built, I wouldn't be surprised if WN opens a lounge there as well. One of the +'s.
Why do a lounge there? There's already the luxury "wingtips" lounge
No mention of whether lounge access will be provided with certain tickets (I assume mostly domestic flights from those mentioned airports) or will it just be via credit card and lounge membership?
There haven't been any announcements yet of what the access rules are.
Chase and Southwest have already had a partnership--if you spend at least $75k annually on the CSR, you get Southwest A-list status and a $500 Southwest credit. Utterly useless to me as I don't fly Southwest. My ideal scenario would be that CSR members in that spend category get access to these Chase/WN lounges (even if not flying Southwest).
I wonder if AUS was one of the first cities in the rollout to help ensure DL remains a distant number two, or if it’s just a matter of where the space is.
Think it's a bit of both. I find it odd that SW is opening a lounge near security in Austin vs. near the gates themselves, the new concourse has a walk to the new concourse/Southwest gates from security according to the plans.
Based on that, I think they realized it was a bird in the hand scenario - take the available space in the airport bursting at the seams now vs. continuing to not have space through 2030.
The ideal scenario would be unlimited access for holders of Chase's new Southwest premium card along with access for Chase's Sapphire Reserve cardholders when flying Southwest (essentially the Delta/AMEX model). I don't know how realistic this is though since both Chase and Southwest will want to push the new card, so we may end up with access only with the co-branded card. Possibly a third scenario with limited access with the CSR after spend thresholds...
The ideal scenario would be unlimited access for holders of Chase's new Southwest premium card along with access for Chase's Sapphire Reserve cardholders when flying Southwest (essentially the Delta/AMEX model). I don't know how realistic this is though since both Chase and Southwest will want to push the new card, so we may end up with access only with the co-branded card. Possibly a third scenario with limited access with the CSR after spend thresholds (something added to the current perk of A-list plus a $500 credit, even if it's just 2 passes per quarter).
I worry this will become a sad day for the future of Chase Sapphire Lounges.
Everyone raves about how nice they are… but I can’t see that continuing on once Southwest and everyone that comes with it gets involved.
My exact thought! I do hope they keep Sapphire untouchable from the SWA club brand. Please, Chase, do NOT do any shared spaces if these two exist in the same terminal.
Now with Southwest joining JetBlue in the lounge game on top of the big 3 expanding their lounges and the countless credit card lounge offerings popping up, one has to wonder - where on earth are all these lounges going to go? Airports have limited footprints and at some point they’ll be maxed out of space. No?
I don't really understand Southwest strategy. It had been a while since I booked with them, but they're extremely expensive, and now lounges? wth?
3 more airports to guess then for the first 11? San Antonio, Houston-Hobby, and does Kansas City or San Diego have any space available?
These Icon Lounges sort of have that Delta One lounge aesthetic, and I mean that in a good way.
The key will be to have proper food/beverage to go with the nice space, otherwise, it's just yet another generic buffet slop lounge. But knowing how Chase has executed, they should have some stuff lined up.
Interesting to hear SW might put a lounge at DCA. It is a huge fail that Chase doesn't have a lounge at DCA given both Amex and Cap One are there. Yes, Chase has the Etihad lounge at IAD but IAD is a different passenger mix than DCA. A SW DCA lounge would be especially valuable if CSR holders get access.
There’s no mention of a membership option.
I wonder if southwest will offer a charter life membership?
Ok, “The name of the game is: ‘how fast can our customers and their kids trash this beautiful space’….. and one, two, three, go!!!!”
Has there been any whispers/rumors on which alliance SW might want to join. Given their recent moves, joining an alliance is the natural progression of things.
Southwest should have introduced first class seats or at least European-style, blocked middle-seat business class.
They are introducing a traditional FC seat/cabin soon. They already announced it, and it will roll out with upcoming Boeing deliveries.
As a chase customer I don't feel comfortable being associated with a budget airline with budget customers. What's next motel 6 and burger king?
lmao get off your high horse. Like 2/3 of the country is a chase customer
It doesn't feel too far-fetched to see this mirroring the AMEX Platinum and Delta Sky Club benefit. Access to SW Icon lounges is limited to Reserve cardholders holding Southwest boarding passes. Adding another opportunity for membership and ongoing club access when meeting a spend threshold (e.g., $75K per year) would sweeten the pot and encourage trial among those who prefer legacy U.S. carriers.