Southwest will launch a branded lounge network in partnership with Chase, with construction underway on four sites and at least seven more planned. Access will tie to a new premium Rapid Rewards credit card expected in 2027.
Southwest confirmed its first-ever airport lounges will open starting in late 2027, developed with Chase.
Construction has started on four lounges: Austin (AUS), Baltimore (BWI), Honolulu (HNL), and Nashville (BNA).
The airline plans at least 11 lounges total, with at least seven additional locations to open over several years.
Southwest Airlines announced it will build its own airport lounges in partnership with Chase, with the first venues scheduled to open in late 2027. Construction is already underway on four initial locations, and the carrier says these are the first of at least 11 lounges planned across its route network.
Southwest describes the lounges as a blend of its customer-focused hospitality and the design and benefits associated with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network. The airline says lounges will offer locally inspired dining, high-quality amenities, and a welcoming, premium environment. No public renderings or detailed guest amenity lists have been released yet.
These four sites are under construction now and are expected to open before the end of 2027.
Southwest says the four initial lounges are only the start. The airline has committed to opening at least seven additional lounges over the next several years, bringing the minimum planned footprint to 11 locations. The carrier framed the lounge rollout as a broader investment in its Rapid Rewards program and in its long-standing partnership with Chase.
Southwest has tied lounge access to a new premium Rapid Rewards credit card scheduled to launch in 2027. The airline has not confirmed whether access will extend to Priority Pass members, existing Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, or other partner programs. The announcement suggests the new credit card will be the primary access pathway at launch.
Southwest has historically promoted a simpler, lower-fee approach to air travel. Introducing a branded lounge network marks a strategic shift toward more premium, monetized offerings. For frequent Southwest flyers, the new lounges add a potential benefit to loyalty and credit-card relationships. For travelers deciding between carriers, lounge access could influence card choice and ticket purchase decisions in markets where Southwest competes directly with airlines that already offer lounge access.
Southwest will open its first airport lounges in late 2027 in partnership with Chase, starting with Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville. The program will expand to at least 11 locations, and initial access will be tied to a new premium Rapid Rewards credit card launching in 2027. Many operational details are still pending, so travelers should expect more announcements as openings approach.
Southwest Airlines’ plan to build lounges with its credit card partner, Chase, has been about the worst-kept secret in the industry. The airline has today announced the first four lounges that will begin opening before the end of 2027, and that it has a minimum […]
Southwest Airlines has unveiled plans for its first-ever airport lounges. The airline is partnering with Chase to bring flyers a new experience before heading on one of their flights.
The airline said that lounges in Baltimore, Honolulu, Nashville and Austin, Texas, would debut starting late next year, and that seven more were in the works.
The first four are scheduled to open late next year in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville. At least seven more are planned over the next several years in airports that haven't been revealed. The post Southwest Airlines to open its own airport lounges appeared first on KYMA .
Construction is already underway on four locations, with outposts in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville expected to open late next year.
Southwest Airlines is taking another major step away from the bare-bones business model that defined the carrier for… The post Southwest to open its first lounges in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville appeared first on AeroTime .
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