Best guess for SW, AT & JB sched. rel. for Easter

[Anal Annie]

Haven't booked a domestic trip in awhile now. It seems like Jet Blue, SW, Air Tran (and yes, I know they're soon to be SW but they haven't converted YET) used to release their flight schedules around 4-6 months out. But I see Air Tran is into Feb. now which is more like 7 months. And JB and SW are into January. When do we think they will post schedules for the end of March, beginning of April?! Are they doing releases more often and for longer dates now? Are they doing month by month or still large chunks?

Since Easter is in early April do you think the odds are that the 2 months will be split into 2 different releases so that we'll have to book one-ways for the best rates? My DS's break starts Fri. 3/30 so I want to go down on Thurs. night, spend 5 or 6 nights & get home before the worst crowds hit at Easter - but this means spanning 2 months time frame.

United has a round trip out of Dulles for the dates I want for $227....that's not TOOOO bad considering the dates but of course I'm hoping for a few bucks less if I can....AND I prefer to use BWI but that usually means waiting for SW or AT. Starting to hedge my bets. Set up a fare alert on Kayak...but looking for thoughts from the experts here on the DIS!

 

[Jestocost]

SWA currently says they will open through March 9, 2012 on July 26, 2011. Based on the past few years release dates (see a full list here), my best guess is that the next release date after that would be sometime in October or maybe early November. They should announce the next release date when they open their schedule on July 26 or whenever it winds up being.

 

[Anal Annie]

THANKS....looks like odd number years have fewer release dates. At least it appears that whenever the next release is after the July 26 one that it should include all of spring break so that it's not split into 2 different releases.


Anybody familiar with how Jet Blue operates?!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

First Monday in Nov they should open reservation through May 2012.

 

[mom2mikel]

First Monday in Nov they should open reservation through May 2012.

We are going 4/28/12 - 5/5/12 -- do you think we'll be able to book our return flight on SW in that November release?