December Fares on Southwest

[yeartolate]

Any clue when December fares will be released? I am anxious to make my CHristmas holiday reservations.

 

[ShellyMouse]

i am waiting for this too. getting very anxious to make the ressies for our flights.
i'm also waiting to allegiant to open up dates past dec. 15....

i'm so not good at waiting....

 

[rdsx28]

I'll bet it's going to at least another month as the November dates have not even opened up as of yet. It does stink having to wait as I am waiting for November. Jet Blue is opened through January I believe if that is an option for you. Good Luck!

 

[speedyf]

I'm waiting for December fares for our 12/16 to 12/23 trip this year.

I found this information on the FlyerTalk.com message boards:

Last 3 Years:

2005 - On July 15th the schedule was extended to December 12th, 2005
2005 - On August 18th the schedule was extended to January 9th, 2006

2004 - On July 15th the schedule was extended to December 11th, 2004
2004 - On July 29th the schedule was extended to January 14th, 2005

2003 - On June 26th the schedule was extended to December 13th, 2003
2003 - On July 24th the schedule was extended to January 16th, 2004

Southwest usually extends the schedule when the current open schedule drops down to the 100 to 135 day range. Right now, the schedule is open until October 27th, 2006 (116 days from today).

Using my trusty spreadsheet for the calculations, the 100 day mark would be July 19th, 2006 and the 135 day mark was June 14th, 2006. Based on history, that would mean that the next schedule extension should happen between June 14th and July 19th.....so, anytime between now and around July 19th the schedule should be extended to around December 9th - 15th.

There are a few other posts stating that the schedule is usually extended on a Thursday and that the schedule is usually extended around 10am Central Time....but, that's not always the case.

FlyerTalk FAQ for Southwest is located here

The information posted above is from Topic #19 on that board.

Speed

 

[DonnaL]

However......for some reason SW has been a few weeks behind opening the schedule this year. I think it was about 2 1/2 weeks behind when they opened up until 10/27 and the same for the schedule prior to that. I'm waiting for 1/13 thru 1/20 and I really don't expect that to open until around the 10th of Sept or so. Last year they opened until mid January around 8/18.
I'll start checking about 16th or 17th of August but I won't be expecting it.

 

[yeartolate]

Thanks for all the help!

 

[loveysbydesign]

We're hoping to go early in dec. 2007. Anyone know if they have great DINGS from Philly in early Dec? We'd love to go this dec. but we were just there in May and have to save up til next year!

 

[gw_lit]

We're hoping to go early in dec. 2007. Anyone know if they have great DINGS from Philly in early Dec? We'd love to go this dec. but we were just there in May and have to save up til next year!

Since the schedule isn't opened up for December 2006 yet, I don't think we'll know what kind of Ding rates to expect in 2007. I would think if you're travelling around the holidays, the Dings will be less frequent and the prices not as good, but you never know! You could also look at flying into Tampa, they seem to have more availability and lower fares than Orlando, but then you won't be able to use DME and will have to rent a car. Nevertheless, I hope you get a good rate!

 

[Pocahantas]

I'm waiting for December fares for our 12/16 to 12/23 trip this year.

I am waiting to the exact same dates! I would guess that you drive to New Orleans and fly out there. If so, we may see you at the airport!

 

[speedyf]

I am waiting to the exact same dates! I would guess that you drive to New Orleans and fly out there. If so, we may see you at the airport!

Cool! Yes...about an hour drive to New Orleans for the flight out. Keeping my fingers crossed for good fares....hoping for $49 each way....

Speed

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

Fares through Dec. 10 were released yesterday. It looks like Christmas fares should be coming in the next two to four weeks.

 

[yeartolate]

Crossing fingers here! Waiting for Dec 16th

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

I've read that the new dates are usually released at about 10 a.m. Central Time on a Thursday. Does anyone know if they put them online first or will they be available via the phone before that?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'd think both at the same time.
Updating speedyf's post just a TINY bit:

2004 - On July 15th the schedule was extended to December 11th, 2004
2004 - On July 29th the schedule was extended to January 14th, 2005

2005 - On July 15th the schedule was extended to December 12th, 2005
2005 - On August 18th the schedule was extended to January 9th, 2006

Now, on July 13, 2006 the schedule was extended to December 10, 2006 (posted by one person at 10:16 AM Eastern time) so, my GUESStimate is - anywhere between July 27 and August 16 for fares extending into January.