Southwest Airlines has spent the last couple of years overhauling the way it does business, from assigned seating to extra legroom seats. Now, as the airline moves forward with its biggest premium move yet, the airline has revealed some new details.
The new Southwest Icon Lounges are set to open at four airports in late 2027, with each one featuring a design inspired by its home city.
Southwest Icon Lounge Locations
The first four Southwest Icon Lounges are under construction at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, and Nashville International Airport.
Southwest plans to open at least seven more lounges after that, bringing the network to at least 11 locations. The airline hasn’t announced where those additional lounges will be.
Locally Inspired Designs
Every Icon Lounge will feature a bar inspired by golden hour, but each will also have its own space based on its city, according to Upgraded Points.
The Baltimore lounge will take inspiration from a local conservatory and botanical garden, with lots of greenery and natural light. Nashville’s lounge, meanwhile, will have a refined country-western feel, with walnut, leather, and amber glass.
“We didn’t necessarily want to bring in a honky-tonk, because that wasn’t premium enough for the lounge setting,” Southwest senior product strategy consultant Jordan Womack told the outlet.
Southwest’s vice president of Rapid Rewards, Nandika Suri, said the lounges will still feel like Southwest.
“The experience is going to be very elevated and premium, but at the same time very warm and truly Southwest,” Suri said, via NerdWallet. “We are not designing lounges where folks will have to wait in long lines.”
How to Get In
So far, Southwest has only confirmed one way into the lounges: a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card from Chase that’s set to launch in 2027.
The airline says it plans to offer other ways to access the lounges but hasn’t shared those details yet. It’s also unclear what the card’s annual fee will be, or whether cardholders will get guest privileges.
Amenities are expected to include a full-service bar and food, including hot options. However, Southwest hasn’t said whether the lounges will have showers, workspaces, or family areas.
Needless to say, it’s a major change for an airline that built its reputation on keeping things simple.
