Have you ever found yourself eagerly anticipating a trip, ready to lock in your flights, only to wonder, "How far in advance can I actually book a flight on Southwest Airlines?" You're not alone! Southwest, known for its unique policies and beloved no change fees, operates on a slightly different schedule than many other major airlines. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Southwest's booking window, helping you snag those ideal flights and fares for your next adventure.
The Southwest Booking Window: A Rolling Release
Unlike some airlines that release their schedules a full year or more in advance, Southwest Airlines operates on a rolling release schedule. This means they don't open up their entire calendar at once. Instead, they release flights in chunks, typically extending their booking window by a few months at a time.
Currently, Southwest Airlines is accepting air reservations through January 26, 2026. On July 29, 2025, they will open their schedule for sale through March 4, 2026. These dates are subject to change, so it's always a good idea to check back frequently on their official website.
Why does Southwest do this?
This rolling release allows Southwest to better manage their inventory, adjust to demand, and potentially offer more competitive pricing as they get closer to the travel dates. While it might require a little more vigilance on your part, it also offers opportunities to grab good deals if you're quick when new dates are released.
Step 1: Engage with the "When" – Understanding the Release Schedule
So, you're planning a trip. When exactly should you start looking?
Sub-heading: Keeping an Eye on Official Announcements
Southwest Airlines is quite good about announcing when they will extend their schedule. You'll typically see a banner on their homepage or a press release indicating the next "open for sale" date and the new end date of their booking calendar.
Your Action: Make it a habit to check the Southwest Airlines website (Southwest.com) regularly, especially if you're planning a trip beyond the currently available dates. Look for announcements on their homepage or within their "Travel Tools" section.
Sub-heading: The "Sweet Spot" for Booking
While it varies, Southwest usually extends its schedule about 6 to 8 months in advance, sometimes up to 365 days. So, if you're looking to travel in, say, summer 2026, you'll need to keep an eye out in late 2025 or early 2026 for those dates to become available.
Tip: For holidays or peak travel periods, it is crucial to book as soon as flights are released. These popular dates tend to sell out quickly and prices can rise significantly.
Step 2: Navigating the Booking Process – Once Dates Are Open
Once your desired travel dates fall within Southwest's booking window, it's time to act!
Sub-heading: Online Booking - The Most Common Method
The easiest and most common way to book a flight on Southwest is through their official website or mobile app.
Go to Southwest.com: On the homepage, you'll find the flight search tool.
Enter Your Details:
Select "Round trip," "One-way," or "Multi-city."
Enter your departure and arrival airports.
Choose your departure and return dates.
Specify the number of passengers.
Search for Flights: Click the "Search" button.
Review and Select: You'll see a list of available flights and their corresponding fares (Basic, Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select). Compare prices and times carefully.
Proceed to Checkout: Follow the prompts to enter passenger information and payment details.
Sub-heading: Utilizing the Low Fare Calendar
Southwest also offers a Low Fare Calendar tool, which is incredibly useful if your travel dates are flexible.
Access the Low Fare Calendar: You can usually find a link to this tool from the main "Book a Flight" section or by searching "Low Fare Calendar" on their site.
Enter Route and Month: Input your desired departure and arrival cities, and select the month you're interested in.
Browse Prices: The calendar will display the lowest available fares for each day within that month, making it easy to spot the cheapest days to fly. This is particularly helpful when planning far in advance, as you might find significant savings by shifting your travel by a day or two.
Step 3: Understanding Southwest's Flexibility – Why Early Booking Pays Off
Southwest's unique policies make early booking even more advantageous, even if your plans aren't 100% set in stone.
Sub-heading: No Change Fees
This is arguably Southwest's biggest differentiator. If you book a flight and your plans change, you can alter your reservation without incurring a change fee. You'll only pay the difference in fare if the new flight is more expensive, or you'll receive a flight credit if it's cheaper.
Benefit of Early Booking: This policy means you can book a flight as soon as the schedule opens to lock in a potentially lower fare, and then adjust it later if your dates shift, without penalty. This reduces the risk often associated with booking far in advance.
Sub-heading: Travel Funds and Flight Credits
If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, the value is converted into a flight credit (or Transferable Flight Credit for some fare types) that you can use for future travel. For reservations booked on or after May 28, 2025, these credits will have an expiration date (typically 12 months from the original ticketing date for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select, and 6 months for Basic fares).
Sub-heading: Two Free Checked Bags
Southwest famously offers two free checked bags per passenger. This can lead to substantial savings compared to other airlines, especially if you're traveling with a family or for a longer duration.
Sub-heading: Companion Pass
For frequent Southwest flyers, the Companion Pass allows a designated person to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees on paid or Rapid Rewards redemption flights. Booking early ensures you have more flight options available to utilize this incredibly valuable perk.
Step 4: Tips for Maximizing Your Early Booking Strategy
To truly make the most of booking far in advance with Southwest, consider these strategies:
Sub-heading: Set Price Alerts
While Southwest doesn't have a direct "price alert" feature in the same way some third-party sites do, you can use external tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to monitor prices for your desired route and dates.
Sub-heading: Consider Fare Types
Southwest offers different fare types: Basic, Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select.
Basic and Wanna Get Away are typically the lowest fares and non-refundable, but still benefit from no change fees (you get a flight credit if you cancel).
Wanna Get Away Plus offers transferable flight credits and same-day confirmed changes.
Anytime and Business Select are fully refundable fares with additional perks.
Evaluate your needs and choose the fare that best suits your flexibility and budget.
Sub-heading: Be Flexible with Dates (If Possible)
Even with advance booking, prices can fluctuate. If your travel dates are flexible, using the Low Fare Calendar to identify the cheapest days to fly can save you a considerable amount of money. Mid-week travel (Tuesday, Wednesday) and off-peak seasons often yield lower fares.
Step 5: What to Do if Your Desired Dates Aren't Open Yet
Don't fret if your dream vacation dates are still beyond Southwest's current booking window.
Sub-heading: Create a Calendar Reminder
Set a reminder on your phone or calendar for the announced release date of the next block of flights. Being among the first to look can give you access to the best fares before they potentially increase.
Sub-heading: Keep an Eye on Southwest's Newsroom or Social Media
Southwest often announces schedule extensions through their official newsroom or social media channels. Following them can keep you informed.
Sub-heading: Have a Backup Plan (If Necessary)
While you wait for Southwest, it might be worth casually checking other airlines to understand the general price trends for your desired route. This way, you have a benchmark if Southwest's prices seem unusually high when they finally open.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check the current Southwest booking window?
The current Southwest booking window is always displayed on their official website (Southwest.com) typically as a banner on the homepage or within their "Travel Tools" section, stating "Now accepting reservations through [Date]."
How to find the cheapest dates to fly on Southwest?
You can find the cheapest dates to fly on Southwest by using their "Low Fare Calendar" tool on Southwest.com, which allows you to view the lowest fares by month for your desired route.
How to change a Southwest flight after booking?
You can change a Southwest flight online via their website or mobile app under the "Manage Reservations" section. Southwest does not charge change fees, though a fare difference may apply.
How to cancel a Southwest flight and get a refund or credit?
You can cancel a Southwest flight online or via their app at least 10 minutes prior to departure. For non-refundable tickets, you'll receive a flight credit. For refundable fares (Anytime, Business Select), you can choose a refund to your original payment method.
How to use Southwest Rapid Rewards points to book a flight?
When searching for flights on Southwest.com, simply select the "Points" option instead of "Dollars" in the search criteria to view and book flights using your Rapid Rewards points.
How to get a good boarding position on Southwest?
For a better boarding position, check in online exactly 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure time, or purchase EarlyBird Check-In for automatic check-in 36 hours prior.
How to add a checked bag to a Southwest flight?
Southwest includes two free checked bags per passenger (weight and size limits apply) for most fares booked before May 28, 2025. For Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus®, and Anytime fares booked on or after May 28, 2025, baggage fees may apply and can be paid at the airport.
How to find out when Southwest will release new flights?
Southwest typically announces new flight schedule extensions on their official website homepage, in their "Newsroom," and sometimes via their social media channels.
How to apply a Southwest flight credit to a new booking?
When booking a new flight online, you can apply a flight credit by selecting "Southwest LUV Voucher, Travel Funds, or Southwest gift card" as your payment method and entering your confirmation number from the canceled flight.
How to contact Southwest Airlines customer service for booking questions?
You can contact Southwest Airlines customer service through their official website's "Contact Us" section for phone numbers or chat options, or by calling their main reservation line.
