Chase Sapphire Unveils Two New Airport Lounges: Dallas and LA Locations Announced

For years, premium credit cards competed on points, perks, and airport lounge access. Now, the lounge itself is becoming the strategy. Chase is the latest to double down, announcing new Sapphire Lounge locations at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

The expansion comes as airport lounges emerge as one of the most competitive battlegrounds in consumer finance. Chase is shifting its focus from access alone to crafting destination-like experiences that reflect the cities they serve.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport will host one of the new lounges later this year, followed by the Los Angeles International Airport location within the next 12 months.

“We’re really excited,” said Dana Pouwels, head of airport lounge benefits at JPMorgan Chase, in an interview with Fast Company. “Dallas is opening this year, and Los Angeles will be opening within the next 12 months.” Specific details about the lounges remain under wraps, but Chase’s broader strategy is clear: turning airport lounges into part of the travel experience.

The Lounge Arms Race: Two Competing Strategies

To understand Chase’s approach, it helps to examine its biggest rival: American Express. The company, which pioneered the modern airport lounge with its Centurion network, is expanding in two directions. It is building larger flagship lounges in key hubs like Boston and Dallas Fort Worth, while also introducing smaller “Sidecar” spaces for travelers with limited time.

This split reflects a fundamental truth: not all travelers use lounges the same way. Some seek a place to relax for hours, while others prefer a high-end, time-efficient experience—such as Capital One’s recently launched LGA lounge, which features a menu curated by chef José Andrés.

Chase, for now, is leaning into the first camp, but with a distinct twist: designing lounges that feel like the cities they inhabit.

Chase’s City-Inspired Lounges: A New Standard for Experience

Chase’s lounges stand out for their local cultural immersion. The Las Vegas lounge, opened at the end of 2025, embodies this philosophy with bold, shimmering finishes inspired by the city’s nightlife.

“We went for bold and shimmering finishes, and it’s really just inspired by that city’s nightlife,” Pouwels explained. The lounge includes:

• A champagne parlor
• A menu created in collaboration with Momofuku founder David Chang
• Cocktails like a jet-black libation topped with edible gummy dice, paying homage to the city’s history

The Philadelphia lounge takes a different approach, centering its 20,000-square-foot space around the city’s beer culture. Features include:

• A beer garden
• A beer flight program (already replicated in the Boston lounge due to its popularity)
• Sports memorabilia
• Retro arcade machines
• One of the lounge network’s few TV-equipped spaces, catering to local fan culture

The goal is consistency in quality, not uniformity in design—each lounge reflects the unique character of its city while delivering a premium experience.