Southwest CEO says airline ‘actively pursuing’ airport lounge network


A Southwest Airlines plane takes off from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., November 7, 2025.

Tim Evans | Reuters

Southwest Airlines is “actively pursuing” the possibility of opening a network of airport lounges, CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC on Wednesday, as the airline industry continues to fight over premium travelers.

“I think lounges would be a huge, next benefit for our customers,” Jordan said in an interview. “And you (would) have a lounge network that allows you to offer that premium credit card that provides lounge access.”

Southwest is discussing airport leases and lounge possibilities, along with its credit card partner, Chase. The Dallas-based airline in October won approval for an airport lounge at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Jordan declined to provide a timeframe for opening what would likely be a “network” of airport lounges but said “it’s clear our customers want lounges, and we’re pursuing the customer.”

“We’re gonna make sure that we have a network of lounges that that meets the needs of the network that we have,” he said.

Read more CNBC airline news

Large carriers from Delta Air Lines to smaller ones like JetBlue Airwaysalong with credit card companies like American Express, Capital One and Chase have been building airport lounges, spaces they’ve leaned on to reel in and retain higher-spending consumers.

A J.D. Power report released Wednesday said 82% of people it surveyed said they chose an airline based on lounge access.

Southwest, which carries more customers domestically than any other airline, has drastically changed its business model over the past year to scrap open seating in favor of assigned seats, among other things. It even started charging customers to check bags earlier this year to increase revenue as pressure ramped up from activist Elliott Investment Management.

Southwest this fall started offering free Wi-Fi to members of its loyalty program. Jordan said the company is open to pursuing other onboard providers for inflight internet, including Space X’s Starlink, the service United Airlines recently started using.


Related Posts

Trump administration finalizes Medicare Advantage payment rate

Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz speaks during an event sponsored by the Action for Progress Coalition, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.,…

United announces Base Polaris business class with more restrictions

United Airlines new Polaris seat on one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners Leslie Josephs/CNBC Does it matter where you sit if you’re sipping Champagne in first class? United Airlines is…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Missed

Shah Rukh Khan’s Eden ‘fairytale’ moment ignites call for Sourav Ganguly’s KKR comeback: ‘Bring him back as coach’

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 2 views
Shah Rukh Khan’s Eden ‘fairytale’ moment ignites call for Sourav Ganguly’s KKR comeback: ‘Bring him back as coach’

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson Steps Down Before Term Ends in 2027

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 1 views
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson Steps Down Before Term Ends in 2027

Carson Wallace’s sweet tribute to Kiki Rice after Bruins’ Championship win leaves fans buzzing

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 1 views
Carson Wallace’s sweet tribute to Kiki Rice after Bruins’ Championship win leaves fans buzzing

Stocks to watch: Nykaa, PC Jewellers, IRFC, NMDC among 10 shares in focus today

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 3 views
Stocks to watch: Nykaa, PC Jewellers, IRFC, NMDC among 10 shares in focus today

Trump administration finalizes Medicare Advantage payment rate

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 3 views
Trump administration finalizes Medicare Advantage payment rate

NASA’s Artemis II breaks Apollo 13’s distance record as humans travel farther from Earth than ever before | Technology News

  • By admin
  • April 7, 2026
  • 3 views
NASA’s Artemis II breaks Apollo 13’s distance record as humans travel farther from Earth than ever before | Technology News