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- Yes, Southwest is building a lounge at HNL. On September 2, 2026, Southwest confirmed Honolulu is one of its first four lounges, with Austin, Baltimore, and Nashville.
- It's scheduled to open in late 2027. Southwest says construction has started, but there's no exact HNL date yet.
- Access will come through a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card from Chase launching in 2027. The name, annual fee, and full benefits haven't been announced.
- It's in Terminal 2, Building 342, the old Garden Conference Center next to the Cultural Garden, at roughly 12,000 to 13,000 square feet.
- No current card, status, or ticket gets you in yet. Southwest hasn't said whether A-List, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or day passes will work.
Here's the honest answer on the Southwest lounge in Honolulu: it's real, it's under construction, and it's scheduled to open in late 2027. Southwest confirmed on September 2, 2026 that HNL is one of its first four lounges, built with Chase and modeled on the Chase Sapphire Reserve lounges. Right now, nobody can get in because it doesn't exist yet.
What we don't know is the part that matters most to local families: exactly who gets in, how many guests you can bring, and what the new card will cost. Southwest says those details come closer to the card launch in 2027. So this page is what we know, what we don't, and what I'd do while we wait.
Who will be able to use the Southwest lounge at HNL?
Southwest has only said that a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card from Chase, launching in 2027, will provide access to its lounge network, including Honolulu. Every other access path, from A-List status to day passes, is unannounced as of October 2026.
| Your situation | Gets in? | Guests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New premium Southwest Rapid Rewards card from Chase (2027) | Yes | Not announced | Confirmed as an access path, terms not released |
| Current Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | No | N/A | No lounge benefit announced |
| A-List or A-List Preferred | No | N/A | No lounge benefit announced |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | No | N/A | Built with Chase, but no access announced |
| Priority Pass | No | N/A | Not announced |
| Paid day pass | No | N/A | Not announced |
Is Southwest really opening a lounge at Honolulu airport?
Yes, Southwest is building its first ever airport lounge at HNL, and it's one of four the airline confirmed on September 2, 2026. The state approved Southwest's lease in October 2025, and Southwest says construction on all four first lounges has started, with first guests expected in late 2027.
- Lease approved: October 2025 by the Hawaii Department of Transportation, a five-year direct lease for a "VIP Airline Lounge."
- Investment: at least $20 million in build-out.
- Size: originally about 12,241 square feet on two levels. A January 2026 amendment reportedly moved it entirely to the ground level at about 12,650 square feet, and Southwest's own figure is roughly 13,000.
- Partner: Chase, drawing on the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge network for design and hospitality.
- First four lounges: Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Honolulu, and Nashville. At least seven more are planned.
What hasn't Southwest announced about the Honolulu lounge?
Southwest hasn't announced the exact opening date, hours, guest policy, menu, or full access rules for the Honolulu lounge. It also hasn't named the new premium card or its annual fee. Southwest's CEO has told investors that lounge access could support a card fee in the $495 to $595 range, but that was a comment, not a price.
A lot of posts are guessing about A-List access, day passes, and Chase Sapphire Reserve access. None of that is confirmed. Don't open or close a card based on rumors about this lounge. I'll update this page the day Southwest publishes real rules.
Where will the Southwest lounge be at HNL?
The Southwest lounge will be in Terminal 2 at HNL, in Building 342, the former Garden Conference Center next to the airport's Cultural Garden. That puts it in the same garden-side area as the IASS Hawaii Lounge, the Korean Air Lounge, and the Ko Olina Lounge. Southwest flies from the Diamond Head side of Terminal 2, so expect a short walk to your gate.
Why is Southwest adding lounges now?
Southwest is adding lounges as part of a bigger shift toward premium travel. In 2026 the airline moved to assigned seating and started adding extra legroom seats, and a premium credit card with lounge access is the next piece. Starting in Honolulu makes sense, since Hawaii flights are long, leisure-heavy, and full of families who'd pay for a quieter wait.
How do you get ready for the Southwest VIP Lounge?
- Nothing to do at HNL yet. The lounge is under construction and not open.
- Watch for the card launch in 2027. That's when Southwest says access details will come out.
- Don't apply for a card on rumors. Wait for the official name, fee, and lounge terms.
- Need a lounge now? Priority Pass gets you into the IASS Hawaii Lounge in the same Terminal 2 garden area.
Real, coming, and still a big question mark.
Real talk, I'm excited Hawaii got picked as one of Southwest's first four lounges. A lot of local families fly Southwest interisland and to the West Coast, and we've never had a Southwest option to sit somewhere quiet before a flight.
But right now it's a construction site and a promise. We don't know the card fee, the guest policy, or whether A-List gets anything. Don't apply for anything yet. When Southwest publishes the real terms, I'll break down whether it makes sense for local families.
Southwest VIP Lounge FAQ
Does Southwest have a lounge at Honolulu airport?
Not yet. Southwest is building its first lounge at HNL in Terminal 2, and it's scheduled to open in late 2027. Southwest confirmed Honolulu as one of its first four lounges on September 2, 2026, along with Austin, Baltimore, and Nashville.
When will the Southwest lounge at HNL open?
Southwest says its first four lounges, including Honolulu, are scheduled to open in late 2027. Construction has started, but Southwest has not given an exact opening date for the HNL lounge.
How will you get into the Southwest lounge in Honolulu?
Southwest says a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card issued by Chase, launching in 2027, will provide access to its lounges, including HNL. The card's name, annual fee, and guest policy have not been announced. No other access paths have been confirmed.
Will Southwest A-List members get lounge access at HNL?
Southwest has not announced any lounge benefit for A-List or A-List Preferred members. As of October 2026, the only confirmed access path for the Southwest lounge at HNL is the upcoming premium Chase card.
Where will the Southwest lounge be at Honolulu airport?
The Southwest lounge will be in Terminal 2 at HNL, in Building 342, the former Garden Conference Center next to the Cultural Garden. It's in the same garden-side area as the IASS Hawaii Lounge and the Ko Olina Lounge.
Will Chase Sapphire Reserve get into the Southwest lounge?
Not as far as anyone knows. Southwest is building its lounges with Chase and modeling them on the Chase Sapphire Reserve lounges, but it has not announced access for Sapphire Reserve cardholders at the HNL lounge.