Ready to book your Southwest flight? I’m sure you’re waiting for the next release of the Southwest Flight Schedule!
So…
The Southwest Flight Schedule is now open for booking ONLY through August 16, 2021.
So you can book the FIRST half of August, but not yet the SECOND half of August or any of your fall travel.
My family saves more than $8,000 every year flying free and I can show your family how to make it a lifestyle, too! Join my Families Fly Free membership to learn my simple process to put flying free on autopilot, so you can start making more precious travel memories before your kids leave home. Learn more below…
The easiest way to book flights on Southwest is through the Southwest Low Fare Calendar, which shows you the lowest prices — in points or dollars — for your flight across a range of dates.
Right now, fares are incredibly cheap due to low demand as a result of the pandemic.
While you may not want to travel right now, it’s a GREAT time to book spring and summer flights at some super low prices, including to Hawaii!
Did You Know 1 Person Can Always Fly Free With You on Southwest?
Did you know that you can earn the Southwest Companion Pass that lets one person fly free with you for up to two years?
You simply need to earn 125,000 qualifying points, which is most easily accomplished by signing up for one of the Southwest personal credit cards and one business Southwest credit card OR two business Southwest cards.
Right now, all three personal Southwest cards are offering a 50,000-point bonus. Here are your options:
- Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa card (Personal: 50,000 points after $2,000 minimum spend in 3 months and earn another 30,000 points after a $10,000 minimum spend in 9 months)
- Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card (Personal: 50,000 points after $2,000 minimum spend in 3 months and earn another 30,000 points after a $10,000 minimum spend in 9 months)
- Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card (Personal: 50,000 points after $2,000 minimum spend in 3 months and earn another 30,000 points after a $10,000 minimum spend in 9 months)
These points also qualify for the 125,000 points you need to earn the Southwest Companion Pass, so one person can fly free with you for up to two years.
This post breaks down all the benefits and annual fees of each Southwest credit card so you can pick the best one for you.
To apply for this offer or any travel credit cards, please use the links in this post or the CREDIT CARDS links in the main menu shown in the image below. These allow us to earn a commission — at no cost to you — to support our small business! Thank you!
Get MORE Points for FREE Southwest Flights
You can apply for and use my favorite card, Chase Sapphire Preferred (read my full review here), a more flexible travel card, which allows you to transfer points into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account instantly at a 1:1 ratio, as well as to other airline and hotel partners.
The card has a $95 annual fee the first year and grants you 60,000 points after meeting a $4,000 minimum spend in the first three months.
Plus, you earn DOUBLE points on dining and travel purchases.
Keep in mind, that points earned using Chase Sapphire Preferred DO NOT qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass, but CAN be used to book free flights.
When Will Southwest Release the Next Southwest Flight Schedule?
Typically, Southwest releases flights about every 4-8 weeks, though due to the pandemic, things are operating a bit differently and unpredictably!
To date, the airline has not announced a date for the next release of flights at this time.
Stay tuned to this post, which we will update as soon as we see the next release date.
Or you can join our Families Fly Free membership, where you’ll get text alerts as soon as dates released, as well as when flights are released on the actual date.
For which months are you waiting to book flights?
Read More:
- Southwest Check-in Tips
- Do Southwest Points Expire?
- How to See if Your Southwest Plane Has Wifi
- Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About the Southwest Companion Pass
- 5 Amazing Southwest Airlines Destinations for Your Next Vacation
10 Things You Can Do to Start Flying Free TODAY!
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Lilia Dulce says
When will SW release April 8 2019 to April 15 schedule flights from Midway airport to Liberia Costa Rica?
Lyn Mettler says
We don’t know yet when April dates will be released but will have a better idea on August 30. I think likely early October.
Andrew says
The Southwest website says flights are being released today March 15th. Do you know what time, I have tried both mobile and computer.
Lyn Mettler says
Wow, you’re right. They totally switched it up on us, again! Ugh! They usually release them at 5 a.m., but I see you posted after that. So do let us know when they appeared. I’m seeing them now at 8a.m.
Mar San says
Do these Southwest schedules typically post at 12:00 am CST? Do I set my alarm so I am up in order to get my Thanksgiving 2020 flights? Or do they post them later in the day?
Thanks. Appreciate the website.
Lyn Mettler says
Well, we never know :). Sometimes they are as early at 7 a.m. ET and sometimes as late as 10:30 a.m. ET. Southwest won’t give us a for sure answer and a lot of times they seem to have technical issues, which delay the roll-out. I always advise checking both on your computer and your smartphone/tablet as sometimes it appears one place before the other. Also be sure to join our Facebook Group where everyone shares if they’ve seen any flights yet.
Bruce says
Any updates today, May 28th? I’ve experienced no luck yet on any platform.
Lyn Mettler says
Yes, flights are now open for booking. Good luck!
Patricia Kicinski says
I thought Southwest was supposed to release March flights today. Has it changed?
Lyn Mettler says
Hi Patricia,
That’s still the plan, but one never knows what time they will release. It’s usually between 7-10:30 a.m. ET depending if they have “technical issues” and often they do :). Keep checking. It likely will be up in the next few hours.
Richard A Higgins says
Hi Lyn,
What is the best offer now available for the Southwest Business Card that will qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass?
Thanks,
Rick Higgins
Lyn Mettler says
Hi Rick,
Here is some information on the current best Southwest business card offer. Thanks for using the links in this post if you do decide to apply. Let me know if you have any questions about it.
Lyn