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We've said it before, and I'm sure we'll say it several times again: Southwest Airlines is a changed airline in 2025. The former low-cost carrier has added seat assignments and checked bag fees, a major departure from its old way of doing business. And now there's news that Southwest is adding airport lounges, with the first location in Honolulu, Hawaii, set to break ground in the near future.
Let's dig into all the details.
Southwest Airlines to Open Honolulu Lounge
First, let's discuss what we know so far about Southwest Airlines airport lounges from documents that were first uncovered by Enilria. We know the location in Southwest's terminal at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). We also know that the lounge will occupy two rooms of 9,577 and 2,664 square feet, respectively.
That leads us to believe this will be a two-story lounge. The location is adjacent to the outdoor Cultural Gardens, where several other airport lounges already operate. This will be in the former space of the conference center.
What we don't know is when construction will begin or when the lounge will open. We do know that a minimum of $20,000,000 is being spent on the project by the airline, and the initial lease is for five years.
On top of that, we still don’t know exactly what it’ll take to access the lounge once it opens. There’s been rumors that Southwest might launch a premium travel rewards card, so it’s likely that cardholders could receive lounge access as part of their benefits.
It’s also possible that higher fare types, such as “Choice Extra,” might include entry as well. For now, we’ll have to wait and see how Southwest decides to handle the access piece.
Related: Southwest Credit Cards: Get Bonus Miles, Travel Perks & a Fast-Track to the Companion Pass
- Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
- Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 2X points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases
- 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
What Are the Implications of Southwest Building Airport Lounges?
As we know well here at AwardWallet, credit card products are the most important aspect of a loyalty program in this day and age. CEO Bob Jordan understands the same. He mentioned the importance of airport lounge access for credit card holders on a recent earnings call.
Southwest has been known as a low-cost carrier in the past, but with the introduction of new, upgradeable onboard products, international airline partnerships, and now lounges, it's clear the airline is attempting to attract higher-end customers.
Lounges are a core benefit of some of the highest-end travel credit cards available. If Southwest is to launch a compelling credit card product, lounges across the U.S. will be required to fill that customer need.
Bob Jordan mentioned Nashville (BNA) as a potential other location in recent statements. And while busy Southwest airports like Dallas Love Field (DAL), Baltimore (BWI), and Denver (DEN) aren't officially announced, reading the tea leaves, we'd expect them to come online soon after Honolulu.
Honolulu is an interesting first pick for Southwest, but it shows how crucial the state has become to its overall strategy. Southwest only began flying to Hawaii in 2019. Since then, we've seen a merger of Hawaii's own Hawaiian Airlines with Alaska Airlines.
Nearly 10 million visitors a year visit the islands. Adding a lounge as a premium option for visitors returning home on Southwest Airlines may help the airline compete better against other mainline carriers.
Related: Upgrade Your Travel Experience: Best Travel Credit Cards With Lounge Access
Bottom Line
Southwest Airlines is in the early stages of building an airport lounge, something that would have been unheard of less than five years ago. The airline is now trying to compete more aggressively than in years past, with a total airline makeover that shocked loyal customers.
Will lounges help the airline win more customers, or at the very least, more credit card sign-ups? We'll have to see when the lounge opens and what new credit card products Southwest has planned for the future.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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