What is up with Southwest? Are they folding after Jan 11th??

[disney4us2002]

Why aren't they taking reservations beyond Jan 11th yet?? Anybody have any information or thoughts about this.

Carla

 

[flyingcircus]

wow!! That is odd!! I can't imagine SW going under. The only thing I can think of is that they are in the process of HUGE schedule changes, and maybe will be ready in a couple of days to have their reservation system updated. Or maybe SW only allows ressies 3 months in advance. Interesting!

 

[Chuck S]

There must be a lot of schedule changes/price changes etc. It is unusual for them to be this late in releasing schedules, although it is not uncommon for them to book only in the 5 to 6 month range.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

SWA is THE most financially stable airline out there, they are not going to fold, they are just not taking ressies after Jan. 11th. They will probably open up the schedule in a week or so.
About the 11th of Oct.

 

[crazyforpooh]

in advance atleast that's my experience.

I love flying SW

 

[ducklite]

I think that SW is the least likely to fold. Because they operate very much independently of the other carriers (no codeshares, etc.) their bottom line is really their bottom line. They looked pretty strong the last time I checked a quarterly report. I think they've grown slowly and cautiously, without a huge debt, which also makes them stronger. I don't know their cash position, but my guess is taht it's prety good, relatively speaking.

Anne

 

[Disnydad]

As far as I know, they are the only airline forcast to make a profit this year.

 

[Carl]

My only guess is that they are thinking of making some major schedule changes, because otherwise there is no excuse for not listing fares past Jan. 11. Also, this date has been there for over a week.

Oh, by the way, I mentioned this fact to the agent at Continental and he said that in his computer he DID see some dates for Southwest past the Jan 11th date.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Carl,
Not to dispute you, but, how is it possible for a Contential agent to see something a SWA cannot?

 

[WDWfanatic288]

We fly SWA often and they do not put out their schedules out as far in advance as the other airlines. They are usually about 4-6 months in advance. They have probably been delayed by all that has happened.

 

[Carl]

when he was searching for a possible flight for me, he mentioned that he was not only looking at Continental flights, but at other air lines. I asked him if it was possible to use my One Pass miles on some other air line. He said that sometimes they could work it out. Then, I mentioned to him that Southwest did not seem to have anything scheduled for past Jan. 11th. I thought that he said that he could see some flights on his computer past that time for Southwest. I didn't pursue it, since I was only concerned with whether or not he could get my flight for me. I haven't actually talked to a Southwest agent. I just noticed their site doesn't show anything and if you call their phone number, the voice mail says they have schedules up to Jan 11. now available.

 

[ducklite]

Southwest does not accept Continental points. They operate very independently, and other carriers generally won't accept their tickets either.

The only domestic carrier that I am aware of that you can use CO points on other than CO is NW, because they code share a lot of flights. I'm not sure you can even do it on all flights.

Also, I might be wrong, but I doubt the CO agent could see the SW schedule, last I knew, SW pulled their schedule out of the alliance system and now only SW agents can see it...again, I might be wrong on that one...

Anne

 

[GoldenPrincess]

SWA schedules and accepts reservations only six months in advance. They've either been very busy with rescheduling or (stating the obvious here ) experiencing some other hang up with their web site. You should be able call to get information for dates after January 11.

 

[azlaura]

I have been waiting too! I called last night and was told that they have anew flight opening up on Oct. 7th that they have been preparing for and they are dealing with a lot of refunds and exchanges. So, the people who normal do the schedule are really busy. He said they have been receiving tons of phone calls and the schedule should be up and running soon. I asked if they were changing the number of flights to certain places and he said no, it is just everything else that is happening that has them running way behind! So, lets keep our fingers crossed that the schedule will come out soon!!!
I hope this helps,
Laura

 

[Lewisc]

Laura--SWA is cancelling a few flights. They are not taking delivery of new aircraft scheduled for September -December 2001. They are having to cancel some flights so they can begin service in Norfolk 10/7 and add some flights already scheduled. This is per a press release on their website. Others have posted a IND-MCO flight has been canceled. I suspect they hare holding off their schedule so they can decide which flights are to be changed.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

No golden princess,
You cannot call them and get flights after Jan.11, they are not available yet. When they are available to the agents at SWA, they will be available to us.

 

[eeyore0062]

Yeah, October 7th SWA comes to Norfolk... no more driving to Raleigh for a non stop flight to MCO!!! We will be making our Ressies within the next week to fly out of Norfolk at 7:10 am on Jan 2 and back out of MCO at 8:25 pm on Jan 6... can't wait... there are only 2 flights scheduled in and out of Norfolk through SWA to or from MCO everyday, so hopefully they won't cancel any!

 

[lillykat]

Before I got my 129 rate on delta from LGA to MCO- I was trying to get quotes from SWA and since I would be returning home on the 12 of Jan I was unable to get a quote. The Jan 11th date has been there since beginning of July.

 

[206bones]

I just checked Southwest & they are now booking through some time in April. That's the good news for me. The bad news is that they have NO flights from PVD to MCO on Saturday, January 26. This seems REALLY strange to me. I hope they add more flights. I'll call them tomorrow.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I just checked SWA and there is nothing showing for months after January. Tried your booking date of Jan 26 and it came back saying: You have requested flight information for dates that are beyond our current booking schedule.
Not sure where you saw the April date since the site clearly states:

Return to the Plan Trip page and select travel dates which are within our current booking schedule. Our schedule is currently open through 01/11/02.