Southwest Names Its First Lounges “Southwest Icon Lounge” — Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville First

October 16, 2026 — Southwest Airlines’ first airport lounges now have a name: the Southwest Icon Lounge. They are expected to open in late 2027.

What happened

Item	Details
Name	Southwest Icon Lounge
Expected opening	Late 2027
First four airports	Austin (AUS), Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Honolulu (HNL), Nashville (BNA)
Later lounges	At least seven more planned in later years, for at least 11 in total; airports TBA
How to get in	Through a new premium Southwest credit card from Chase, expected to launch in 2027
Annual fee, guest rules, full access rules	TBA

Southwest has not said whether existing Southwest credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Priority Pass or Rapid Rewards elite status will get you into the lounges, so it is best not to assume they will.

Why it matters

These will be Southwest’s first airport lounges. Access is set to come through a new premium Chase credit card, so the lounges will be aimed at paying cardholders rather than every traveler.

What it means for non-revs

Nothing changes for standby travel right now. The lounges are not due to open until late 2027.
The sources do not say whether employees, retirees or pass riders will be able to use the lounges (TBA). The access rules announced so far are tied to a paid credit card.
Southwest has not said who will staff the lounges (TBA).