Southwest Airlines will open its first airport lounges in Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Honolulu and Nashville, launching a new premium ground-service network tied to a forthcoming Chase-issued Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card. Construction has already started, and the first guests are expected in late 2027.
The four initial locations are Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu and Nashville International Airport. Southwest also plans at least seven more lounges in later years, extending the programme across business and leisure markets in its network.
Access will be linked to the new premium card, which is due to debut in 2027. The move takes Southwest into airport lounges for the first time and broadens its loyalty and premium-travel offering as rivals increasingly use lounge access to attract frequent flyers and credit-card customers.