Photo Caption: Southwest Airlines plane at Newark Liberty International Airport. Vincenzo Pace
With the possibility of lounges, Southwest is betting that it can capture more premium customers and boost engagement with its loyalty program.
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Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan gave what might be the clearest indication so far that the carrier is looking to open lounges in the near future.
“I know I've teased the lounges. That's something obviously — there's work underway,” he said during a call with analysts on Thursday. “We're not ready to formally announce that yet.”
Jordan said opening lounges would boost Southwest’s co-branded credit card portfolio.
“The whole purpose is to expand co-brand opportunities, expand the card set and provide to our customers something that they really want,” he said.
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