{"id":233918,"date":"2025-11-06T22:00:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T22:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=233918\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:27:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:27:27","slug":"southwest-lounges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/southwest-rapid-rewards\/southwest-lounges\/","title":{"rendered":"Southwest Airlines to Build an Airport Lounge in Honolulu \u2014 Here\u2019s Everything We Know So Far"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a> and checked bag fees<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

Let's dig into all the details.<\/p>\n

Southwest Airlines to Open Honolulu Lounge<\/span><\/h2>\n

First, let's discuss what we know so far about Southwest Airlines airport lounges from documents that were first uncovered by Enilria<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"southwest
Credit: Enilria<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

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<\/a>, and the initial lease is for five years.<\/p>\n

On top of that, we still don\u2019t know exactly what it\u2019ll take to access the lounge once it opens. There\u2019s been rumors that Southwest might launch a premium travel rewards card, so it\u2019s likely that cardholders could receive lounge access as part of their benefits.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also possible that higher fare types, such as \u201cChoice Extra,\u201d might include entry as well. For now, we\u2019ll have to wait and see how Southwest decides to handle the access piece.<\/p>\n

Related: Southwest Credit Cards: Get Bonus Miles, Travel Perks & a Fast-Track to the Companion Pass<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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