Any way to see how many seats left on SWA

[leahjade]

I know you can check on Air Tran but don't see where to look for Southwest? Thanks

 

[a1tinkfans]

No, but you can get a "sorta kinda" feel for how booked they are by the categories and the prices availabilities...by that I mean, does each category have the full rate available or just the more expensive seats. Usually the lower seats go first and you can "see" that the flight is booking up. Good Luck, I guess you could also call...

 

[FINFAN]

you can call, I have always asked if there are 6 or more seats at the price available for the flight I am looking at, even if I only need 2 or so, just so I have an idea of how many. If there are less than I ma inquiring about, the agent simply tells me no, and then I ask how many.

 

[richmo]

I don't think there's really a way to get a count of availability. The only tip I have is that if you see the flight you want at a higher rate than others that day for your party, try knocking down the number of passengers to 1. Sometimes you'll find that a lower rate will show up for fewer passengers. If 1 passenger gets a lower rate, try 2, all the way up to one less than your party size. If this happens, you'll be able to book some of your seats at the lower price, but you'll have to split your itinerary. You also may have to create separate itineraries for each direction. But if you keep it all straight and don't mind checking in twice, you can save some $$$.

 

[ccgirl]

I was wondering that on our flights last week. The prices were not a great indication other than the Wanna get away fares said sold out. I then pretended to book more seats to see if it was allowed. For example, tried to book 8 seats and all categories said sold out. Tried to book 3 seats and it allowed me. I never actually went through and purchased the seats - just wanted to see if they were available. Good luck!

 

[Missytara]

No, but you can get a "sorta kinda" feel for how booked they are by the categories and the prices availabilities...by that I mean, does each category have the full rate available or just the more expensive seats. Usually the lower seats go first and you can "see" that the flight is booking up. Good Luck, I guess you could also call...

That is true of Airtran too - because of the $6.00 seat fee, not everyone selects their seats ahead of time.

I would assume (though I am not an expert at this) that once the flight is getting close to capacity, even though it won't look like it on the seating chart, that the fares will go up. Once the computer sees that all the seats will be filled, then the flight is completed booked and I am assuming you will no longer see it listed as available.

If someone waits until a few days before to see what seats are available, or waits until they get to the airport to get a boarding pass and take their chances on a seat, the computer knows what is available?