Southwest Airport Lounges to Debut in Late 2027
Southwest airport lounges tie access to a Chase-issued premium Rapid Rewards card and could shift trading focus to card revenue and ancillary growth.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Construction began on four Southwest airport lounges with first guests expected in late 2027.
- Access will be primarily via a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards card issued by Chase in 2027.
- Company said lounges aim to attract higher-spending travelers and diversify ancillary revenue; no financial guidance disclosed.
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Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) said in a PR Newswire release on Sept. 2, 2026, that it will open its first Southwest airport lounges in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville. Construction has begun, and the airline expects to welcome the first guests in late 2027 as part of a premium push tied to a new Chase-issued credit card.
Four Lounges Under Construction
Southwest has started building its first four branded lounges at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu (HNL), and Nashville International Airport (BNA). The company expects these initial locations to open by the end of 2027.
Airport and municipal records show substantial spaces for these projects, including about 20,000 square feet in Austin, nearly 30,000 square feet in Nashville’s south mezzanine marketplace, and at least 9,577 square feet in Honolulu with room for expansion and a rent waiver tied to improvements. Southwest described these four lounges as the start of a broader network, with at least seven more planned over the next several years to serve high-demand business and leisure markets.
Chase Partnership and Premium Strategy
Southwest is co-developing the lounges with JPMorgan Chase, leveraging the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network as a baseline for standards. Access will be primarily through a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card issued by Chase, which is also planned to launch in 2027. The airline said the lounges will combine Southwest’s hospitality with sophisticated design, locally inspired dining, and high-quality amenities.
The press release did not disclose capital expenditures, operating costs, or revenue guidance for the lounge rollout. No separate SEC filings tied solely to the lounge announcement were identified.
Southwest framed the lounge initiative as part of its effort to attract higher-spending premium travelers and diversify ancillary revenue beyond fares. Analysts view the tie between lounge access and the co-branded premium card as a key commercial lever, potentially generating recurring annual-fee and interchange revenue for Chase while creating a higher-margin, predictable revenue stream for Southwest.
The lounge network, combined with the premium card, positions Southwest to compete more directly with carriers that already offer airport lounges and premium co-branded credit cards. This move follows recent product changes at Southwest, including assigned seating, extra-legroom options, and baggage fees, signaling a shift toward higher-margin services.
Construction timelines are targets and subject to airport leasing and permitting processes. Southwest did not provide a detailed schedule for the additional lounges beyond the initial four.
