Southwest Airlines to Launch Airport Lounges in 2027 With Chase

Southwest Airlines will enter the airport lounge segment in late 2027, with the first locations set for Austin, Baltimore, Nashville, and Honolulu. The airline described the move as part of a broader effort to evolve from a low-cost carrier into a more comprehensive service operator.

The lounges will be developed with JPMorgan Chase, which is also partnering with Southwest on a new credit card that will provide lounge access. Detailed features of the card and the lounge amenities have not yet been disclosed.

Beyond the first four cities, Southwest has at least seven more lounges in development for the coming years, targeting what it calls "high-demand business and leisure markets." That would bring the total planned to at least 11.

Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday that the airline is investing in experiences that respond to changing traveler expectations and create long-term value. He called lounges a natural next step in that journey.