What time of day SW schedule opens?

[mggeary]

Sorry, I'm sure this is an often asked question.

?6am, ?6:30am ?later

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It used to always be 11am ET. Then it became very unpredictable. I haven't bought airfare the 1st day of release in a while so I can't say most recent but did help a coworker buy flights for a trip last Easter (2012) and they came out around 8 or 9 am. I did have once when it came out at 6am; I just happened to look and it was there. Ever since then, when I need 1st day release flights, I start looking early.

 

[Jestocost]

It used to always be 11am ET. Then it became very unpredictable. I haven't bought airfare the 1st day of release in a while so I can't say most recent but did help a coworker buy flights for a trip last Easter (2012) and they came out around 8 or 9 am. I did have once when it came out at 6am; I just happened to look and it was there. Ever since then, when I need 1st day release flights, I start looking early.

It was indeed 11 a.m. ET going back a few years, but more recently fares have pretty consistently (with one or two exceptions) been available at 6 a.m. ET or even earlier.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

It's been awhile since I've been able to book in advance but I just booked a cruise for next April.

When have the schedules been coming out?

 

[Jestocost]

It's been awhile since I've been able to book in advance but I just booked a cruise for next April.

When have the schedules been coming out?

No way to know for sure. SWA will post that info on their Travel Tools page. Right now they are booking through Nov. 1, 2013 and currently plan to open through Dec. 19 on May 6.

Here is a link to a listing of Historical SW Release Dates. April frequently gets split up with the first week or so opening for booking in late August/early September and the rest in October.

 

[mdsd8700]

It does vary, but it has been as early as 5:30 am CST. I forgot to set my alarm for the last opening in March and didn't get on until after 6 am. I plan on be up early to check on May 6th.

 

[WhitGB]

Are the flights cheaper on day 1?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Are the flights cheaper on day 1?

For peak/holiday dates they are. If your plans involve flying over Thanksgiving, I wouldn't wait to buy. It's much easier to rebook & snag some credits if the price drops than to regret not buying & have the price shoot up.

 

[LisaS]

For the past few release cycles it has been pretty consistent: between 6am and 6:30am eastern time. The one exception I can remember was when they released on a Sunday and in that case it happened later in the morning (maybe 10am-ish?).