SWA basic fare

[Pinnochio]

Got on SWA's website yesterday to try and score a nonstop fare in the Basic category....Mind you yesterday 8/26 was the first day they were offered for April of 2026.....3 non stops were offered but all sold out ....I then proceeded to check the view seat link.....this showed only 8 seats sold/unavailable.....So, out of approximately 160 seats, only 8 will be sold as Basic??.....Can't be right can it??....Oh, and by the way, 1 of the 3 nonstops was sold out in the Choice category too....So 8 seats sold, Basic & Choice unavailable.....

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

First know that they manipulate the prices all the time so basic may pop back up.

But also Easter/spring break is in April so I'm not surprised that flights are selling fast.

 

[focusondisney]

Got on SWA's website yesterday to try and score a nonstop fare in the Basic category....Mind you yesterday 8/26 was the first day they were offered for April of 2026.....3 non stops were offered but all sold out ....I then proceeded to check the view seat link.....this showed only 8 seats sold/unavailable.....So, out of approximately 160 seats, only 8 will be sold as Basic??.....Can't be right can it??....Oh, and by the way, 1 of the 3 nonstops was sold out in the Choice category too....So 8 seats sold, Basic & Choice unavailable.....

SW has opened with no WGA fares for many flights from many cities for years. After a few days to weeks, the missing WGA fares showed up on every flight. It’s been talked about here many times. It seems to be one of their standard strategies. Considering Basic is the new WGA, it seems they’re doing the same thing with them. I would keep checking & would bet money basic fares will show up eventually.

 

[MikeF;NJ]

Got on SWA's website yesterday to try and score a nonstop fare in the Basic category....Mind you yesterday 8/26 was the first day they were offered for April of 2026.....3 non stops were offered but all sold out ....I then proceeded to check the view seat link.....this showed only 8 seats sold/unavailable.....So, out of approximately 160 seats, only 8 will be sold as Basic??.....Can't be right can it??....Oh, and by the way, 1 of the 3 nonstops was sold out in the Choice category too....So 8 seats sold, Basic & Choice unavailable.....

How can you use the seat map to see how many seats are sold when according to the fare rules (https://www.southwest.com/fare-information/):

• No seat selection with Basic fares; a Standard seat will be assigned to you at check-in. The Standard seats have standard legroom in the back of the aircraft (flights departing on or after January 27, 2026).

 

[Pinnochio]

How can you use the seat map to see how many seats are sold when according to the fare rules (https://www.southwest.com/fare-information/):

under the flight times there is a link to view seats

 

[jimmymc]

Since basic fares don't get assigned until after check in, they won't show up as missing from the seat map. So there could have been 20 basic seats sold already, but only 8 people who booked a higher fare and chose seats will show up on the seat map. Southwest won't assign basic fares a seat until check in so the higher fares will have their choice of location.

 

[eticketplease]

under the flight times there is a link to view seats

This only works when basic is not available. Basic (unless a card holder) can not choose seats without paying a fee and are assigned at checkout. We have no way of knowing if they bought a seat or not.

All other fare types allow you to pick a seat and thus it would be silly not to select one now than have SW randomly assign you a seat so I believe the seat map selection for your flight to be pretty accurate.

 

[eticketplease]

Since basic fares don't get assigned until after check in, they won't show up as missing from the seat map. So there could have been 20 basic seats sold already, but only 8 people who booked a higher fare and chose seats will show up on the seat map. Southwest won't assign basic fares a seat until check in so the higher fares will have their choice of location.

This is true however PP purchased opening day and there were no basic fares to be sold.

The same happened to me on the previous release and I was on the website when they were first released between 7-8 am est.

 

[jimmymc]

This is true however PP purchased opening day and there were no basic fares to be sold.

The same happened to me on the previous release and I was on the website when they were first released between 7-8 am est.

Ok, I haven't seen that before. It's possible SW is only adding basic fares if the higher ones don't sell opening day.

 

[eticketplease]

Ok, I haven't seen that before. It's possible SW is only adding basic fares if the higher ones don't sell opening day.

Yup I'm still waiting to downgrade. So far my Choice Preferred fare is up $250 since I purchased it. Hoping for the choice or basic fares to come soon.

 

[jimmymc]

Yup I'm still waiting to downgrade. So far my Choice Preferred fare is up $250 since I purchased it. Hoping for the choice or basic fares to come soon.

Just a random thought I had, do you normally book Southwest tickets on release day for planned trips? Because I feel like buying airfare on release day is rare in the travel world, even for cruises or group tours that are booked a year in advance.

 

[eticketplease]

Just a random thought I had, do you normally book Southwest tickets on release day for planned trips? Because I feel like buying airfare on release day is rare in the travel world, even for cruises or group tours that are booked a year in advance.

Yes because I want to get it out of the way.

I most likely won't do it as often now that SW reverted back to their old policy of expiring credits.