Have you ever found yourself eagerly anticipating a trip, ready to lock in those flights, only to hit a wall when trying to book too far in advance? It's a common dilemma, and when it comes to Southwest Airlines, their booking window operates a little differently than some other carriers. Understanding how far out you can book a flight on Southwest Airlines is key to snagging the best fares and securing your preferred travel dates.
Southwest Airlines, known for its customer-friendly policies like two free checked bags and no change fees (though fare differences may apply), also has a unique approach to releasing its flight schedules. Unlike some airlines that might open bookings a full 11 months or even a year out, Southwest typically releases its flights in batches. This means their booking window extends about 6 to 8 months in advance, though occasionally it can stretch to around 9 months.
This "batch" release strategy means that the furthest date you can book will shift as new schedules are opened. For example, as of July 14, 2025, Southwest is currently accepting reservations through January 26, 2026, and on July 29, 2025, they will open their schedule for sale through March 4, 2026. This date is subject to change, so always check back frequently!
Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to mastering the Southwest Airlines booking window!
Step 1: Are You Ready to Plan Your Adventure?
Before we even get to checking dates, let's get you in the travel mindset! Close your eyes for a moment and picture your dream destination. Is it a sunny beach getaway, a vibrant city exploration, or a cozy mountain retreat? Having a general idea of when and where you want to go will make the booking process much smoother.
Think about:
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Your ideal travel dates: Do you have specific days or weeks in mind?
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Flexibility: Are your dates firm, or can you be a little flexible to potentially find better deals? Flexibility is your best friend when booking Southwest flights!
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Your destination: Do you have one specific place, or are you open to a few different options?
Once you've got a glimmer of your next adventure in mind, let's move on to the practicalities!
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| How Far Out Can I Book A Flight On Southwest Airlines |
Step 2: Understanding Southwest's Schedule Release Strategy
This is the most crucial part of booking far out with Southwest. Unlike many other airlines that have a fixed "11 months out" rule, Southwest operates on a rolling schedule release.
Sub-heading: The "Batch" Release Explained
Southwest typically releases its flight schedule in segments. This means they'll open up a block of dates for booking, and then a few months later, they'll release another block of dates, extending the booking window further into the future. This strategy means you'll need to stay a bit more attuned to their announcements if you're planning a trip very far in advance.
Sub-heading: Why This Matters to You
Because the schedule isn't released all at once for an entire year, if your desired travel dates fall beyond the currently released schedule, you simply won't be able to book them yet. You'll need to wait for Southwest to open up that particular segment of their calendar. This is why it's so important to be aware of their current booking window.
Step 3: Finding the Current Southwest Booking Window
So, how do you know how far out you can currently book? Southwest makes this information readily available.
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
Sub-heading: Checking the Official Southwest Website
The easiest and most reliable way to find out the current booking window is to visit the official Southwest Airlines website.
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Go to Southwest.com.
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Look for information related to "Travel Planning Tools," "Book a Flight," or "Low Fare Calendar." Often, on their main booking page, they will explicitly state something like, "Now accepting reservations through [Date X]."
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For example, as of now, you might see "Now accepting reservations through January 26, 2026."
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Sub-heading: Monitoring Schedule Release Announcements
Southwest often announces when they are about to release new schedules.
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Check their "Newsroom" or "Press Releases" section on their website.
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Follow them on social media. Airlines frequently post updates there.
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Sign up for their email updates. This is one of the best ways to be notified directly when new flight schedules are released.
Step 4: Strategies for Booking Early (or as Early as Possible)
Once you know the current booking window, here's how to maximize your chances of getting the best deals for your desired dates.
Sub-heading: Book as Soon as Your Dates Open
This is especially critical for peak travel times (holidays, school breaks, popular events) or popular routes. Southwest's "Wanna Get Away" fares, which are their lowest-priced tickets, tend to sell out quickly. Booking immediately when your desired dates become available significantly increases your chances of securing those lower fares.
Sub-heading: Utilize the Low Fare Calendar
Southwest's Low Fare Calendar is an invaluable tool.
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On Southwest.com, navigate to the "Low Fare Calendar" (often found near the flight search bar).
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Enter your origin and destination.
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Instead of specific dates, select your desired month of travel.
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The calendar will display the lowest available fares for each day within that month, allowing you to easily identify the cheapest days to fly. This is fantastic if you have some flexibility!
Sub-heading: Price Tracking (Unofficial Methods)
While Southwest doesn't have an official price tracking tool, you can use third-party resources:
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Google Flights: Set up price alerts for your desired route and dates. Google Flights often has historical pricing data and can notify you of drops.
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Other Flight Aggregators (e.g., Skyscanner): Many popular flight search engines allow you to set price alerts.
Sub-heading: Understanding Southwest's Flexible Policies
Southwest's policies are uniquely forgiving, which is a huge advantage for early bookings:
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No Change Fees: If you book a flight and the price drops, you can rebook the same flight and receive the difference back as a travel credit. This is a game-changer! You can also change your flight entirely without a fee (though a fare difference may apply).
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No Cancellation Fees (for most fares): While "Wanna Get Away" fares are non-refundable to the original payment method, if you cancel at least 10 minutes prior to departure, the funds are held as a flight credit for future use. "Anytime" and "Business Select" fares are fully refundable to your original payment method. This reduces the risk of booking far out!
Tip: Read at your natural pace.
Step 5: What to Do If Your Dates Aren't Open Yet
Don't despair if your ideal travel dates are beyond the current booking window!
Sub-heading: Set a Reminder
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Mark your calendar or set a digital reminder for when Southwest is expected to release its next batch of schedules. Be proactive!
Sub-heading: Stay Updated
Regularly check the Southwest Airlines website or your email for announcements regarding schedule extensions. Being among the first to know means being among the first to book.
Sub-heading: Consider a Placeholder Booking (with caution)
Given Southwest's flexible change policies, some savvy travelers might book a flight within the current booking window that is close to their desired future dates and then change it once their actual dates become available. However, this requires careful attention to the fare difference and any expiration dates on flight credits. While Southwest has eliminated expiration dates on flight credits for reservations booked and ticketed on or before July 27, 2022, credits created from reservations booked and ticketed on or after May 28, 2025, will have a specified expiration date of one year or less, depending on the fare type. Always double-check the terms and conditions for your specific fare.
Step 6: Reviewing Your Booking
Once you've successfully booked your flight, give it a quick once-over.
Sub-heading: Confirm All Details
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Dates and Times: Are they exactly what you intended?
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Names: Are all passenger names spelled correctly and match their IDs?
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Origin and Destination: Did you select the right airports?
Sub-heading: Understand Your Fare Type
Southwest offers different fare types (Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select), each with varying benefits regarding refunds, changes, and Rapid Rewards points. Make sure you understand the terms of the fare you've chosen.
Step 7: Post-Booking - Smart Tips
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
Your booking is confirmed, but your work isn't quite done.
Sub-heading: Continue Monitoring Fares
Even after you've booked, keep an eye on the price of your flight. As mentioned, if the fare drops for the exact same flight, you can often rebook and receive the difference as a flight credit. This is one of Southwest's most beloved perks!
Sub-heading: Consider EarlyBird Check-In
Southwest doesn't assign seats. Instead, they have a "first-come, first-served" boarding system. EarlyBird Check-In automatically checks you in 36 hours before your flight, often securing you a better boarding position and thus a better choice of seat. This is an optional add-on that many Southwest travelers find worthwhile, especially for longer flights or if traveling with a group.
Sub-heading: Prepare for Check-in
Remember to check in for your flight 24 hours prior to departure to get your boarding position. Even if you don't purchase EarlyBird Check-In, checking in right at the 24-hour mark is crucial for a good boarding spot.
By following these steps, you'll be well-equipped to navigate Southwest Airlines' unique booking schedule and secure your flights with confidence, ensuring a smooth start to your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to know exactly when Southwest will release new flights?
Southwest Airlines typically announces its schedule extensions on its official website, often in the "Travel Tools" or "Newsroom" sections. Signing up for their email alerts is also an excellent way to receive direct notifications as soon as new dates are released.
How to get the cheapest fares on Southwest Airlines?
To get the cheapest fares, book as soon as the schedule for your desired dates opens, be flexible with your travel dates (mid-week and off-peak times are often cheaper), and use Southwest's Low Fare Calendar to identify the lowest-priced days. Also, keep an eye on their frequent sales and consider flying during less popular seasons.
How to use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar effectively?
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
To use the Low Fare Calendar, go to Southwest.com, select "Low Fare Calendar" in the booking tool, enter your origin and destination, and choose the month you wish to travel. It will then display a calendar view showing the lowest available fares for each day, helping you pinpoint the cheapest travel days within that month.
How to change a Southwest Airlines flight if the price drops?
If the price of your booked Southwest flight drops for the exact same itinerary (flight number, date, time), you can rebook it on Southwest.com or via their app. You will receive the difference in fare as a flight credit (for Wanna Get Away fares) or a refund to your original payment method (for Anytime or Business Select fares).
How to cancel a Southwest Airlines flight?
You can cancel a Southwest Airlines flight online through the "Manage Reservations" section on Southwest.com or their mobile app. For most fares (Wanna Get Away, Anytime, Business Select), if you cancel at least 10 minutes prior to departure, you will receive a flight credit for future use or a refund to your original payment method, depending on your fare type. Basic fares are non-refundable but can be converted to a flight credit if canceled in time.
How to get a good boarding position on Southwest Airlines?
To get a good boarding position on Southwest (which uses a "first-come, first-served" seating system), either purchase EarlyBird Check-In, or check in online exactly 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure time. Rapid Rewards A-List and A-List Preferred members receive priority boarding.
How to check the current schedule extension for Southwest?
Visit the "Travel Tools" or "Book a Flight" section on Southwest.com. They typically display a message stating the furthest date for which reservations are currently being accepted (e.g., "Now accepting reservations through January 26, 2026").
How to get notified of Southwest schedule releases?
Sign up for Southwest Airlines' email updates and follow their official social media channels. They frequently announce new schedule extensions and promotions through these platforms.
How to use Rapid Rewards points to book far in advance?
You can use your Rapid Rewards points to book flights as far out as the current booking window allows. Points bookings are subject to the same availability as cash bookings. Booking early is often advisable for point redemptions, especially for popular routes or dates, as the number of points required can fluctuate with demand.
How to maximize flexibility when booking Southwest flights?
To maximize flexibility, aim for their Anytime or Business Select fares, which are refundable to your original payment method. For Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares, leverage their no change fees policy to modify your flight without penalty (fare difference may apply), and understand that cancellations for these fares result in a flight credit for future use. Being open to slightly different travel dates will also significantly increase your options for lower fares.
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