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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) continues to cement its status as one of the fastest-growing airports in the country with significant terminal expansions underway and airlines racing to strengthen their position there. Newly signed airport lease documents reveal that two of the airport’s largest carriers (Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines) are planning new lounges.
According to the airport’s recently finalized use and lease agreement, Delta intends to secure more than 40,000 square feet of space for two separate lounges. The plan calls for dividing the footprint into two distinct spaces. Delta’s current 9,000-square-foot Delta Sky Club® is expected to be converted into a dedicated Delta One® Lounge. Roughly 30,000 square feet will be allocated for a brand-new, expanded Sky Club®.
The larger Sky Club® is rumored to potentially include a jet bridge, which will allow eligible passengers to board directly from the lounge (similar to what is offered at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) lounge).
While Delta does not currently operate long-haul international service from Austin, its SkyTeam partner KLM Royal Dutch Airlines serves Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Delta has been steadily expanding in Austin in recent years and industry observers expect the carrier to eventually introduce its own long-haul European service and possibly routes to Asia, which would help justify the addition of a Delta One® Lounge (this would be he first outside of a hub).
Southwest Airlines is also staking a significant claim by reserving approximately 40,000 square feet of space in the new lease agreement. It’s officially labeled as a crew lounge in documents, but the scale of the space suggests something more substantial. With projections showing roughly 2,000 Southwest employees based at Austin by mid-2027, industry analysts believe the allocated space far exceeds what would be necessary for crew facilities alone. Southwest has recently signaled a strategic shift toward branded passenger lounges. The airline has confirmed it will open its first-ever passenger lounge at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and has expressed interest in developing a lounge at Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL). The Austin project could represent another step in Southwest’s evolution toward premium airport offerings.
Neither Delta, Southwest, nor Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has publicly confirmed construction timelines for the new lounges. However, with the airport in the midst of a broad physical expansion, the projects appear to align with Austin’s long-term growth strategy.
Austin has become one of the most competitive airports in the United States. It continues to attract new domestic routes and international service as the city’s population and corporate presence expand. With airlines adding capacity and vying for high-value travelers, upgraded lounge offerings signal an escalating battle for premium passengers.
Anthony’s Take: For travelers passing through Austin in the coming years, the airport experience could look vastly different. I’m excited to see these lounges once they finally are confirmed and open.
(H/T: View from the Wing.)
(Image Credit: Southwest Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
