Southwest Airlines released Oct. 15 the first rendering of its new lounge coming to Nashville International Airport next year. The Dallas-based air carrier has been planning the project since late 2025, according to construction permits filed with Metro Nashville. The permits value the renovation and construction at $53 million, and Southwest officially confirmed details in September.
"The airline is bringing its hospitality to a new part of the journey in late 2027 with the Southwest Icon Lounge network, in partnership with Chase," the company said. "The lounges will combine premium amenities, thoughtful and local design, and the warmth of Southwest's culture to create distinctive spaces where Customers can relax, get work done, or simply enjoy
the lounge before they travel."
The first slate of lounges will open in Nashville, Austin, Baltimore and Honolulu. Access will be granted to those who open an account with a new Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card issued by Chase, which will also begin in 2027.
Southwest's first rendering of the lounge shows an ornate gold bar in the center of the room with cocktail tables surrounding it, floor-to-ceiling windows and potted greenery. The company has not yet released its menu but said there will be local elements in each location.
The lounge is the latest in a string of investments made at the Nashville airport by and for Southwest. They include numerous new flights, taking on additional gates across the terminal and $539 million in renovations for its BNA hub in Concourse D over the last decade.
Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work,subscribe to The Tennessean.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: See inside Southwest's Icon Lounge coming to Nashville in 2027
