5 days ago
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This isn’t Herb Kelleher’s Southwest any longer. Free checked bags and open seating are gone, punishing basic economy fares replaced friendly Wanna Get Away fares, and fees are everywhere.
But if Southwest was going to pivot to become a traditional network carrier, it also had to address its deficiencies in order to compete. Those included no first class cabin, no hot or special meal service, no lounge network, weak WiFi, no long-haul flights or global alliance for mileage redemptions, no seat-back entertainment, and a lack of power ports.
The airline is working on its shortcomings. Starlink is coming for some of the fleet, and Southwest formally announced its lounge network plans today.
The first lounge will open in late 2027, and the first 4 lounges include Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville. At least 7 more lounges are in the pipeline “across high-demand business and leisure markets.”
A new premium Southwest Card with lounge access will debut in 2027. Southwest also writes that,
“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.”
That sounds like Chase is helping to fund these lounges, and there will be some reciprocity between the Sapphire Reserve card and Southwest lounges and perhaps between the new Southwest card and Sapphire lounges. We’ll have to wait and see what the details look like next year!
Are you looking forward to a Southwest lounge network?
