Southwest’s CEO says the airline is “actively pursuing” the airport lounge network

Southwest Airlines The company 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 battle for premium travelers.

“I think the lounges will be a huge benefit to our customers,” Jordan said in an interview. “And you [would] You have a lounge network that allows you to offer a premium credit card that provides lounge access.”

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

Jordan declined to provide a time frame for opening what could be a “network” of airport lounges, but said, “It is clear that our customers want lounges, and we are going after the customer.”

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

Large carriers of Delta Airlines For the smallest example JetBlue Airlinesalong with credit card companies such as American Express, Capital One Both Chase and I have built airport lounges, spaces they have relied on to attract and retain high-spending consumers.

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

Southwest, which carries more domestic customers than any other airline, has radically changed its business model over the past year to eliminate open seating in favor of assigned seating, among other things. It even began charging customers to check bags earlier this year to boost revenue as pressure from activist Elliott Investment Management mounted.

Southwest this fall began offering free Wi-Fi to members of its loyalty program. Jordan said the company is open to pursuing other ISPs on board, including Space United Airlines I recently started using.