By Rajwa Quasim
Southwest Airlines Co. announced the debut of its lounge service at four U.S. airports in a bid to create a premium and welcoming airport experience. In a statement on Sept. 2, the airline said it is partnering with Chase and leveraging the experience of Chase’s Sapphire Reserve Lounge network.
The lounges are expected to open at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Nashville International Airport in Tennessee. The airline also plans to open at least seven additional lounges across its network over the next several years.
READ: American Airlines rejects merger with United, more than 4% stocks fall off (April 20, 2026)
The company said its lounges will have high-quality amenities, sophisticated design, locally inspired dining, and valuable travel benefits currently offered in the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge network.
Tony Roach, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer & Brand Officer at Southwest Airlines, said: “Southwest Airlines has built one of the most trusted brands in travel 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.”
To access the lounge, the company will launch a premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card next year. It has not disclosed details, including the annual fee.
READ: Starlink expands in-flight Wi-Fi to 48 airlines (August 18, 2026)
The airline has faced several challenges and major changes over the past few years. In 2024, Elliott Investment Management acquired a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest Airlines in hopes of improving market performance with changes at the leadership level. That same year, Southwest ended its 50-year-old tradition of open-seat boarding, which had become part of its brand identity.
In 2025, it ended its free checked baggage policy, which it had offered for about 60 years and featured in advertising with the slogan “Bags Fly Free.” It now charges for the first and second checked bags. Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest, said at the time in a press release: “We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect.”