Business & Finance
Southwest Airlines announces plans for first airport lounges
The carrier is partnering with Chase to open lounges in four initial cities by late 2027, accessible via a new premium credit card.
The short version
- Southwest Airlines announced its first network of airport lounges, with initial locations in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville.
- The lounges will open in late 2027 and will be accessible to holders of a new premium Chase-issued Rapid Rewards credit card.
- The airline plans to expand the initiative with seven additional lounge locations in the coming years.
Key facts
- Southwest Airlines announced initial lounge locations in Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Honolulu; and Nashville, Tennessee, with construction already underway.[CNBC]
- The first four lounge locations are scheduled to open in late 2027.[CNBC]
- Southwest is partnering with Chase to integrate the lounges with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network.[CNBC]
- Entry to the lounges will be offered through a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card issued by Chase starting next year.[CNBC]
- Southwest stated it intends to open seven additional lounges across business and leisure destinations over the next several years.[CNBC]