Southwest Airlines release cycles

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

Does Southwest release their seats in small batches? I have never flown with them, but I attempted to purchase tickets for mid-August and all Wanna-get-away nonstop flights are already sold out. For all of the airports close to me! I'm getting a bit nervous. I won't do connecting flights because I missed my connection before. Way too much stress!

 

[Jestocost]

Does Southwest release their seats in small batches? I have never flown with them, but I attempted to purchase tickets for mid-August and all Wanna-get-away nonstop flights are already sold out. For all of the airports close to me! I'm getting a bit nervous. I won't do connecting flights because I missed my connection before. Way too much stress!

Yes. Unlike the legacy airlines that open up their schedules day by day at about 330 days out, Soutwest releases a month or two of booking dates every so often. Just how many days they release at any given time can vary as can the frequency of those release dates.

They post the next release date and the days that will be opened for booking on their Travel Tools page. And check this thread for a list of historical release dates to get a sense of when your dates may open for booking.

 

[eeyore29]

Does any know/remember what time of day the new flights get released?

 

[DebbieB]

Does Southwest release their seats in small batches? I have never flown with them, but I attempted to purchase tickets for mid-August and all Wanna-get-away nonstop flights are already sold out. For all of the airports close to me! I'm getting a bit nervous. I won't do connecting flights because I missed my connection before. Way too much stress!

From what has been posted since Monday's release, it seems like they did not put many "wanna get away" seats into the system. It's possible they may move seats from "anytime" to "wanna get away" if they are not selling.

 

[3happydancers]

From what has been posted since Monday's release, it seems like they did not put many "wanna get away" seats into the system. It's possible they may move seats from "anytime" to "wanna get away" if they are not selling.

This is what I am hoping for. I need a flight for a Sunday. As of right now the Wanna Get Away is not available and the anytime is $416.00 ONE WAY

 

[Jestocost]

Does any know/remember what time of day the new flights get released?

About 6 a.m. ET.

 

[wendybeth75]

I am glad you asked this. I was looking to use points to buy our flights in October then just check prices and change as needed. Like you said many of the flights that would be the most desirable for us were "not available". Great answers, I always learn something great on the DIS!