What time does Southwest release?

[lovedisney123]

Next Monday Southwest opens dates for the start of our spring break (but not for the flights home unfortunately). We have decided to go ahead and buy the flight down when it comes out. What time do they release? Is it at midnight? Or the next morning?
Thanks!

 

[katallo]

From past experience between 6:15 and 6:30 am

 

[Aimros]

Next Monday Southwest opens dates for the start of our spring break (but not for the flights home unfortunately). We have decided to go ahead and buy the flight down when it comes out. What time do they release? Is it at midnight? Or the next morning?
Thanks!

FYI - the schedule is set to release on 6/30, so next Tuesday. Just didn't want you sitting around wondering why there was nothing new on Monday .

 

[lovedisney123]

Oh thanks! Both of you. I will check on Tuesday morning.

 

[a742246]

I once waited to 9:00 AM EST for southwest to open its window. Good Luck!

 

[LisaS]

Next Monday Southwest opens dates for the start of our spring break (but not for the flights home unfortunately). We have decided to go ahead and buy the flight down when it comes out. What time do they release? Is it at midnight? Or the next morning?
Thanks!

It's usually shortly after 6am eastern time. I'm usually online ready to book at 6am and just keep refreshing every minute or so until the schedule is released. I think last time I booked the schedule was up by 6:10am. Some times it has been a bit later, 6:20am or so. I guess it just depends on how long it takes them to load the data and make it available.

 

[spartankid34]

Are flights going to be cheapest on the first day of release?

 

[AngieInOH]

Do the prices really change that quickly that you have to get on as soon as they're released?

 

[Apopper74]

We just booked this last release and it was around 6:05 am. It wasn't long before prices started going up, I am talking within the hour. By the end of the day the initial allotment of Wanna Get Away fares were sold out for our return flight. My advice is get on at 6 and keep refreshing.

 

[katallo]

My advice would be to have a thought in mind of what you would like to pay. If you see something close, book it. I have had both situations...got some very good deals when they open, but also saw prices I wasn't comfortable with. I waited a few months and got a much better price. It really depends on when you are traveling (season and day of the week). At BWI, we now have the option of Jet Blue. So, if pricing is high on Tuesday we can wait until early July and check Jet blue. We lost the competition when we lost Air Tran. And, yes they will change prices as the day goes on, but they often come back within a few days or weeks. Good luck. If it looks good for your family, grab it!

 

[momtwoboys]

what dates are they releasing for?

 

[katallo]

I think through 3/9

 

[lovedisney123]

This time we can only book flights for the way to Florida, but they won't release for the way back yet. So I will have to do this twice. I am hoping for good prices, but I guess we will see. We can fly on Saturday, Sunday or Monday so I can look at different days too. I wish it had been at midnight. I would prefer to stay up late than to get up early. lol

 

[lovedisney123]

I booked our flights. I am assuming that the early bird check in is based on when you buy your tickets. Is that correct? That by buying our tickets today when it opened and buying the early bird check in we will have a higher number than someone buying it next month? That was why I wanted to book as early as possible (and also hoping for the best price).

 

[jtdl]

I booked our flights. I am assuming that the early bird check in is based on when you buy your tickets. Is that correct? That by buying our tickets today when it opened and buying the early bird check in we will have a higher number than someone buying it next month? That was why I wanted to book as early as possible (and also hoping for the best price).

Yes, I believe that is true but as per Southwest's FAQ "customers who have purchased Anytime Fares will receive priority over other fare types that are assigned their position based on the time stamp of the EarlyBird Check-In purchase."

I purchased DTW to MCO this morning for Feb 2016. Delta was double what I paid with Southwest which was $358 including early bird check in. Delta was $708! I have always booked with Delta when their flights are released and have never paid over $350! Don't know what is going on with them this year! This is our first time flying Southwest. I was concerned about the boarding process as there are five of us but I hope with EBCI we will be able to sit together.

 

[lovedisney123]

I can understand your concern about the boarding process. Last summer we flew on Southwest and did not book the Early Bird Check in. On the flight out to Denver it was not bad. My husband checked us in exactly at 24 hours before the flight and we got OK boarding passes (where all able to sit together). Coming back, we were in the Rocky Mountains and could not get a signal to go online to book. By the time we did get a signal and signed on, we did not get a good boarding pass and ended up having to sit separately on the plane. It was not as pleasant. So this time I told my husband I didn't care about the extra cost, I wanted a good boarding pass. We only fly once a year at most, so it seemed worth it to me. So I am hoping there is no problem getting 3 seats together this way.