Southwest Airlines wants in on the airport lounges business
For Southwest, having lounges would attract business and frequent flyer customers, who have grown accustomed to the perk at other carriers
Mario Tama
While airport lounges from the big three airlines are common sights at airports across the country, discount carriers have historically eschewed that luxury. Southwest Airlines, however, is rethinking that stance, with one in the works already and active discussions with airports around the country to create more.
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Two months ago, Southwest won approval for an airport lounge at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. And in an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said the carrier is "actively pursuing" the idea of a network of lounges, along with its credit card partner Chase.
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“I think lounges would be a huge, next benefit for our customers,” Jordan said. “And you [would] have a lounge network that allows you to offer that premium credit card that provides lounge access.”
Jordan did not provide a timeline for that network, but said it's clear customers wanted these areas.
Chase is fairly new to the airport lounge business itself, opening its first in 2023 at Boston Logan International Airport, which was followed by locations in New York, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and San Diego. That let it better compete with American Express, which has a series of Centurion lounges at 13 airports in the U.S. as well as a number of international locations. Platinum and Business platinum cardholders (along with up to two guests) have access to those facilities, which offer similar perks.
For Southwest, having lounges would attract business and frequent flyer customers, who have grown accustomed to the perk at other carriers. Airport lounges are havens for travelers who have long layovers or who arrive at the airport several hours before their flight. Recently, though, at least one major carrier has made it harder for flyers to gain entry into its lounges.
In 2023, Delta Air Lines changed its access policies to lounges, barring passengers from basic economy and no longer letting holders of American Express’s Delta SkyMiles Platinum card purchase a one-day pass. (Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card still receive a limited number of visits.)
Lounges would be just the latest change for Southwest, which will change its boarding procedures starting next year and has done away with its beloved free checked bag policy.