Southwest bets on lounges with Chase-backed rollout across four cities

Southwest Airlines unveiled plans for its first airport lounges, set to open in late 2027 in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville, with seven additional lounges planned later. The lounges are part of a Chase-backed effort and will be accessible via a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card launching in 2027. This move extends Southwest’s strategic evolution—shifting to assigned seating and bag fees—while aligning with the industry trend of airlines expanding premium lounges to attract higher-spending travelers.