Southwest Airlines officially moved forward with a controversial change to its boarding process earlier this year, with travelers selecting an assigned seat rather than being assigned a boarding group.
“All tickets purchased for travel starting Jan. 27, 2026, will feature assigned seating. Moreover, Southwest Airlines Customers can choose their preferred fare bundle, including the opportunity to purchase assigned and premium seating and select a seat at booking,” the airline said in a statement at the time.
The airline followed that decision up with new bag fees, but those were just the first of many sweeping changes to the company.
Southwest Airlines Making Another Change
During a second quarter earnings call this week, Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan hinted another change is coming: a new credit card tied to airport lounges that are in the works.
“[W]e fully intend to continue to expand the co-brand offering and opportunities for our customers. I know I’ve teased the lounges. That’s something, obviously, that there’s work underway,” he said, via View From the Wing.
“We’re not ready to formally announce that yet. The whole purpose, again, is to expand co-brand opportunities, expand the card set, and provide to our customers something that they really, really want.”
Southwest Already Signed Lease Space for Lounges
View From the Wing reported that Southwest already confirmed “they’ve been signing leases for lounge space, even though they haven’t officially announced their lounge plans” with at least five locations in the works: Austin, Dallas, Nashville, Denver, and Honolulu.
The airline insider also revealed Southwest is looking into $395 – $650 price point with its new card that would include access to the airline’s lounges, as well as potentially a Priority Pass card.
Southwest is in a current state of flux, overhauling itself to become like every other airline.
Related: Southwest Airlines Reverses Course on Major Change
Source: Life – Fitness – mensjournal
