Southwest Airlines is taking another major step away from the bare-bones business model that defined the carrier for decades, announcing plans to open its first airport lounges in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville beginning in late 2027.
The move follows Southwest’s shift to assigned seating and extra-legroom products, the launch of a growing international partnership network that now includes LOT Polish Airlines, and other changes aimed at attracting more premium and higher-revenue travelers.
The airline announced the first locations for its new lounge network on September 2, 2026, and said more will follow.
Construction has already started on the first four lounges at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu and Nashville International Airport (BNA).The airline said at least seven additional lounges are planned over the following several years in high-demand business and leisure markets, although it did not identify them.
The lounges are being developed in partnership with Chase and will draw on features already offered through the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network. Southwest said they will include locally inspired food and other amenities, but has not yet released details about the size or specific features of the first four locations.
Access will be tied to a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card from Chase scheduled to launch in 2027. The airline has not yet announced the card’s annual fee or whether passengers will have other ways to enter the lounges.
“The introduction of a lounge network represents a strategic investment in Rapid Rewards and deepens our 30-year partnership with Chase,” Southwest Executive Vice President and Chief Customer & Brand Officer Tony Roach said.
Southwest operates at 120 airports across 12 countries and carried more than 134 million passengers in 2025.