Southwest Airlines' First-Ever Lounges to Debut in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville; with at Least Seven More Planned
Southwest Airlines (LUV) announced plans for its first-ever airport lounge network, developed in partnership with Chase, with initial locations under construction in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville and first guests expected in late 2027.
Rhea-AI Summary
Southwest Airlines (LUV) announced plans for its first-ever airport lounge network, developed in partnership with Chase, with initial locations under construction in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville and first guests expected in late 2027.
The lounges will feature locally inspired dining, high-quality amenities, and travel benefits aligned with the existing Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network. At least seven additional lounges are planned across high-demand business and leisure markets, and a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card issued by Chase, launching in 2027, will provide lounge access.
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Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10 | Board appointments | Positive | +1.4% | Added Jason Liberty and Varun Krishna to the board, expanding board capabilities. |
| Aug 03 | Companion Pass promotion | Positive | +3.5% | Introduced a promotional Companion Pass for qualifying Rapid Rewards members. |
| Aug 03 | Business travel benefits | Positive | +4.7% | Added Business Priority benefits and expanded Southwest Business booking connectivity. |
| Jul 30 | Quarterly dividend | Positive | +2.8% | Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share. |
| Jul 22 | Second-quarter earnings | Negative | -6.2% | Reported second-quarter results and reduced 2026 adjusted EPS guidance. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Southwest's customer, commercial, dividend, and board announcements were followed by positive reactions, while its latest earnings release was followed by a negative reaction.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Southwest lounge network represents the latest step in elevating the Customer Experience
Southwest is partnering with Chase to bring together Southwest's signature Hospitality and the success of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network℠ to create a premium and welcoming airport experience. Each lounge will combine the warmth and friendliness Customers expect from Southwest with sophisticated design, locally-inspired dining, high-quality amenities, and valuable travel benefits that are offered today in the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Network.
"Southwest Airlines has built one of the most trusted brands in travel1 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," said Tony Roach, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer & Brand Officer at Southwest Airlines. "The introduction of a lounge network represents a strategic investment in Rapid Rewards and deepens our 30-year partnership with Chase."
At which airports will I be able to access Southwest lounges?
Construction has begun on the first four Southwest lounges, and the first guests are expected to be welcomed in late 2027. These locations include:
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
- Daniel K. Inouye (
Honolulu ) International Airport Nashville International Airport
This is just the beginning of a broader footprint across the Southwest system, with at least seven more lounges planned to open over the next several years across high-demand business and leisure markets.
How do I gain access to the Southwest lounges?
A new, premium, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Card issued by Chase will be launching in 2027 and will provide access to the new Southwest lounge network.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 120 airports across 12 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline2. By empowering its more than 73,0003 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
- As ranked in the Forbes' Most Trusted Companies in America for 2026.
- Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q4 2025.
- Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of June 30, 2026.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to (i) Southwest's airport lounge network, including with respect to expected timing, number, and locations of the lounges; and (ii) Southwest's strategic investments in its loyalty program, including expected benefits and Customer experiences. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of geopolitical conflicts, fears or actual outbreaks of diseases, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, actions of competitors (including, without limitation, pricing, scheduling, capacity, and network decisions, and consolidation and alliance activities), governmental actions, consumer perception, consumer uncertainties with respect to trade policies or government shutdowns (including the imposition of tariffs), economic conditions, banking conditions, fears or actual acts of terrorism or war, sociodemographic trends, and other factors beyond Southwest's control, on consumer behavior and Southwest's results of operations and business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (ii) Southwest's ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, operate, and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives, including with respect to revenue management and assigned and premium seating; (iii) consumer behavior and response with respect to Southwest's new commercial products and policies; (iv) the impact of fuel price changes, fuel price volatility, and fuel availability on Southwest's business plans and results of operations; (v) the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions, including with respect to government shutdowns, as well as Southwest's ability to obtain any required governmental approvals, on Southwest's business plans, results, and operations; (vi) Southwest's dependence on The Boeing Southwest ("Boeing") and Boeing suppliers with respect to Southwest's aircraft deliveries, Boeing MAX 7 aircraft certifications, fleet and capacity plans, operations, maintenance, strategies, and goals; (vii) Southwest's dependence on the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to, among other things, the certification of the Boeing MAX 7 aircraft; (viii) Southwest's dependence on other third parties, in particular with respect to its technology plans, its plans and expectations related to revenue management, online travel agencies, operational reliability, fuel supply, maintenance, Global Distribution Systems, environmental sustainability, and the impact on Southwest's operations and results of operations of any third-party delays or nonperformance; (ix) Southwest's ability to timely and effectively prioritize its initiatives and focus areas and related expenditures; (x) the impact of labor matters on Southwest's business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (xi) Southwest's ability to obtain and maintain adequate infrastructure and equipment to support its operations and initiatives; (xii) Southwest's dependence on its workforce, including its ability to employ and retain sufficient numbers of qualified Employees with appropriate skills and expertise to effectively and efficiently maintain its operations and execute Southwest's plans, strategies, and initiatives; (xiii) the cost and effects of the actions of activist shareholders; and (xiv) other factors, as described in Southwest's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Southwest's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.