Southwest Airlines to open its own airport lounges

(CNN, KYMA) - Southwest Airlines is taking another step away from its low-cost carrier roots.

It announced Wednesday it will be opening its own airport lounges.

The first four are scheduled to open late next year in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville.

At least seven more are planned over the next several years in airports that haven't been revealed.

Southwest is tapping partner Chase to help with the project since it has experience running its own "Sapphire Reserve" lounges.

Passengers will have to get a Southwest Airlines credit card issued by chase to gain access to the lounges. That card will also launch next year.

Earlier this year, Southwest ended its well-known "cattle call" system of open seating on flights in favor of traditional assigned seats.