Southwest past 10/27?

[jel0511]

Does anyone have a guess when SW will release their schedule into November?

 

[Bob P]

Most likely within the next two weeks or so.

 

[Hockeychic]

I am waiting also.......please SW

 

[Poohbear123]

 

[speedyf]

Here ya go...something to read while waiting. This info was taken from the Flyertalk message board FAQ's for SWA --- Post #20

Linkage: http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422264&page=2&pp=15

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When will the schedule horizon be extended? Why doesn't Southwest allow me to book 11 months ahead like the other majors do?

a. (nsx) This is probably the single most frequently asked question on the Southwest forum. If you ask it there, don't be surprised if your thread is locked or deleted. The moderator is not fond of answering the same question over and over again when everything we know is right here and in the Official schedule extension prediction thread.

b. (nsx) The schedule is usually extended on a Thursday morning, around 10 AM Central Time. One tipoff is when the current sale is "through the end of the schedule" rather than having a specific ending date.

c. (BondGuy/Mr. July) Recent schedule extension history:
Mar 13/03 - open to Sep 8/03
May 14/03 - open to Oct 24/03
June 26/03 - open to Dec 13/03
July 24/03 - open to Jan 16/04
Sep 19/03 - open to Mar 6/04
Oct 16/03 - open to April 2/04
Dec 11/03 - open to May 8/04
Jan 13/04 - open to Jun 11/04
Feb 13/04 - open to Aug 7/04
Mar 25/04 - open to Sep 13/04
May 5/04 - open to Oct 29/04
July 15/04 - open to Dec 11/04
July 29/04 - open to Jan 14/05
Sept 23/04 - open to Mar 3/05
Oct 22/04 - open to April 1/05
Dec 9/04 – open to Jun 6/05
Feb 18/05 – open to Aug 3/05
Mar 17/05 – open to Sept 12/05
May 12/05 - open to Oct 28/05
July 15/05 - open to Dec 12/05
Aug 18/05 - open to Jan 9/06
Sept 26/05 - open to Feb 3/06 horizon shrink likely due to MSY replanning
Oct 27/05 - open to Mar 31/06
Dec 20/05 - open to Jun 9/06
Feb 23/06 - open to Aug 3/06
Mar 30/06 - open to Sep 10/06
May 26/06 - open to Oct 27/06

d. (cabinpressure, Beckles) Based on the above data, whenever the number of days to the schedule horizon drops down to to the 105-135 range (as low 101 Dec 20/05 and as high as 142 Oct 16/03) the schedule is then extended to be in the 150-175 range (144 Aug 18/05, 179 Dec 9/04).

e.(nsx) Knowing when the schedule will open up is often your best chance to secure the lowest fare for a peak travel time such as Thanksgiving. But Southwest is getting better (from its point of view) at blacking out discount fares on peak flights right from the start.

f. (nsx) By limiting its schedule horizon, Southwest virtually eliminates the need to cancel or reschedule flights before the date of travel. Those changes cost the other airlines a lot of money to handle, and they annoy customers. Once Southwest publishes a schedule, it is nearly cast in stone. Even after the 2001 terrorist attacks, Southwest did not immediately drop flights as the other majors did.

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Historical Release of Dates Past 10/27....
July 15/05 - open from Oct 29 to Dec 12/05
July 15/04 - open from Oct 30 to Dec 11/04
June 26/03 - open from Oct 25 to Dec 13/03

According to letter "d" from up above....the rates are usually released when the schedule horizon drops around 105 to 135 days. On 6/14 the schedule was in the 135 day window and on 7/14 it will be down to the 105 day window.....

The last 4 releases have come at 107 days on May 26th, 126 days on March 30th, 106 days on February 23rd, and 101 days on December 20th, 2005.

I don't put much faith on the schedule being extended on a Thursday. The last extension was on a Friday. It can be pretty much any day...but, usually a weekday.

So...we are probably looking at any time between now and mid-July if history is any indicator.

I'm actually waiting for the next release to book December flights....

Good Luck Everyone,
Speed

 

[TheWog]

Thanks for that info. Do you think the best prices are when they are first released???

 

[gw_lit]

Thanks for that info. Do you think the best prices are when they are first released???

Absolutely! You may find a Ding! that has a better fare, but Southwest seems to be limiting the Dings to more off-peak, lightly traveled times and days.

 

[TheWog]

Absolutely! You may find a Ding! that has a better fare, but Southwest seems to be limiting the Dings to more off-peak, lightly traveled times and days.

Thank you.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Here ya go...something to read while waiting.

What I'm also interested in is WHEN during the day the schedule will likely be released. I've seen posters swear by !0:00 am CT. Others have said early am (6:00?). I think one of the recent extensions was morning, but maybe by 9 a.m., CT.

Now that we're in the "window," do I need to log in multiple times: upon waking, around 10, and again at noon? What about in the evening? We have dial-up, but even with modem on hold, I don't want to just stay connected all day.

12/16 is not at all likely to make the cut-off this time around, but I have to keep checking--JUST IN CASE!!!!!

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

I noticed that the fares for the end of August came down to $155 from Manchester. We have 2 free tickets for Nov to use. I'm thinking of booking a fully refundable ticket until the price comes down to $155 or less. Any ever do this?

 

[cepmom]

Thanks for that info. Do you think the best prices are when they are first released???

In my case, the price I paid when the dates were first released was very high...I originally paid around $119 one way. I booked it anyway because I didn't want to risk not getting a better fare and our dates are not flexible. I did end up changing the reservation a total of 4 times thanks to a couple of sales and a great Ding fare. I ended up getting a $285 credit which DH used for his last business trip. The rate now is $120 pp round trip including all taxes/fees

You can take your chances if you don't like the rates when they are first released and see if a sale pops up, or you can book and take a credit if a cheaper rate comes along later.

Just wanted to let you know the first rates that are released are not always the best.

 

[NUHuskies#1]

Come on SW! I want to book the week between Christmas and New Years!

 

[TheWog]

In my case, the price I paid when the dates were first released was very high...I originally paid around $119 one way. I booked it anyway because I didn't want to risk not getting a better fare and our dates are not flexible. I did end up changing the reservation a total of 4 times thanks to a couple of sales and a great Ding fare. I ended up getting a $285 credit which DH used for his last business trip. The rate now is $120 pp round trip including all taxes/fees

You can take your chances if you don't like the rates when they are first released and see if a sale pops up, or you can book and take a credit if a cheaper rate comes along later.

Just wanted to let you know the first rates that are released are not always the best.

Thanks for that info. That's a great rate. That's kind of what I am thinking for pricewise.

 

[cdpa4d]

Expect the SW fares to be released sometime between the 7th and 14th of July.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Expect the SW fares to be released sometime between the 7th and 14th of July.

I sure hope so!

 

[C.Ann]

Waiting for late November/early December.. Can't even get into "planning" mode until I have flights booked..

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Waiting for late November/early December.. Can't even get into "planning" mode until I have flights booked..

I hope you're taking your best guess and making some ADR's now, even if you have to try to adjust them later. Our flights are still pending, too, but I've been making ADR's for the past few days. This is getting SO exciting. Now if SWA would just hurry up and release December dates!

 

[rdsx28]

I would suggest you ook ADR's also as I was told by a CM that many of theplaces were filling up fast.I am waiting for the air as well but did book ADR's.Good Luck!

 

[Patty3]

I am also going in Late Nov until early December. Room and ADR's booked, but waiting for Southwest to release these dates.