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.
For a long time now, we’ve had reason to believe that the airline would start opening airport lounges. Well, that’s no longer just speculation — the airline has today announced that it will open lounges before the end of 2027, in partnership with Chase, and the first locations have just been revealed.
In this post:
Southwest plans to open lounges starting in late 2027
Southwest Airlines has today 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, each lounge “will combine the warmth and friendliness Customers expect from Southwest with sophisticated design, locally-inspired dining, high-quality amenities, and valuable travel benefits that are offered today in the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network.”
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. So far, no renderings or additional guest experience details about the lounge network have been released.
Here’s what Tony Roach, Southwest’s Chief Customer & Brand Officer, had to say about this:
“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 generically 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.
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
While there have been a lot of hints about Southwest possibly opening lounges, it’s now officially, formally confirmed. Southwest has announced it plans to open its first airport lounge in late 2027, and it 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?
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 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.
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 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.
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).
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.
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
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…
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 (?)
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.
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!
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.
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!.
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
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.
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
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
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).
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.