When will Southwest release the flight schedule for January, February and March 2023 flights?
Due to the pandemic, things have been a bit in flux in terms of when Southwest releases batches of flights for booking.
Keep reading to find out the dates that are currently open for booking AND when the next set of Southwest flights through early 2023 will be open for booking…
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The typical airline releases its Southwest flight schedule for new flights every four to eight weeks and usually announces the next release date as soon as the next batch of flights are available.
What to Know Before Booking Your Southwest Flight
When you’re ready to book your next Southwest flights, it’s best to book ON the actual date they release flights as often those are the best deals we will see, especially for busier periods like holidays and summer dates or for busier flights.
Southwest usually releases flights between about 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Eastern time. The time varies based on often seeming problems with their software systems.
They do roll out flights gradually, so you may see them on one route before another.
Additionally, be sure to check both on your mobile device as well as on your computer, as often they roll out in one platform before another.
When you join our Families Fly Free membership, as one of many perks you get as a member, we notify you as soon as the release date is announced for flights, as well as when the flights are released on the actual release day — both via text!
It’s Easy to Change or Cancel Flights on Southwest!
Keep in mind that there is no fee to change or cancel a flight on Southwest.
Watch this video or read below to learn how to change a Southwest flight.
However, if you do cancel a Wanna Get Away fare, and you have paid cash or credit, you will only receive a “credit,” also called an Unused Southwest Travel Fund, good 12 months for future flights on Southwest by the person who it was originally attached to.
The better plan is to pay with Southwest points if you have them, because those are instantly credited back to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account.
If you don’t have a Rapid Rewards account, set one up today for free by going to Southwest.com and start earning points for your paid flights!
Finding a Good Fare on Southwest
When you’re looking for new flights on the Southwest release date, check both mobile (via the app) and desktop, as often they’re available on one platform before the other.
Most recently, I’ve seen them on my desktop first.
A great place to start your search is at the Low Fare Calendar where you can find the lowest available price for your flight if you are flexible on dates.
Sometimes, if you click into the Low Fare Calendar, you’ll find lower fares than even those advertised in the sale!
When will the Southwest Flight Schedule Release January, February and March 2023 flights?
The airline has currently opened the Southwest Flight Schedule for booking through January 4, 2023, so you are able to book holiday flights.
Yay!
Southwest has announced the next flight release date will be July 21, 2022 for booking flights through March 8, 2023.
Get ready for holiday 2022 travels!
Be sure to check back for any changes or updates.
Can I Fly to Hawaii?
Yes! Southwest now officially flies to Hawaii, but be sure to check for the most recent entry requirements due to the pandemic.
Southwest flies to:
- Oahu
- Kauai
- Big Island
- Maui
There are now direct flights from:
- Long Beach
- San Jose
- Sacramento
- Oakland
- San Diego
- LAX
- Las Vegas
- Phoenix
You can often get them as low as $99 per way from these departure cities!
Here’s everything you need to know about Southwest Hawaii flights.
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Read More:
- How the Southwest Companion Pass Changed My Life
- Southwest Credit Card Options
- Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About the Southwest Companion Pass
Can you please tell me when the November and December schedules will be released for booking?
May 18 is what they have said. Thanks.
At what time do the southwest flights open once they are posted. We are on pacific time and last time we booked on opening day many of the flights were already sold out.
Awesome question, as I had never thought about that. I checked with Southwest and they said the new flights are released at 5:00 AM CT on the date scheduled. Hope that helps!
Is that the time it’s available online or by phone?
Hi Lucienda, it should be for both.
We’re traveling to Orlando January 5-11, does this mean I’ll have to wait to book round trip until the next set of dates are released? When would January 8, 2018 dates and beyond be released?
Hi Ben, So you could book your outgoing flight, but you will have to wait to book your incoming flight until they release the rest of the schedule, unfortunately. Last year they did not release that segment for booking until July 7! However, on May 5, they are supposed to make a big update to their reservations system. Fingers crossed, that will improve how far out we can book flights and maybe you’ll be able to book sooner. We’ll have to wait and see…
When will Southwest release the departure flights for August 2017?
Hi Sheryl-
These are already available. You should be able to see August flights when searching on Southwest.com. Thanks!
Hi Lyn,
I could not find any info on this on your website so I’m reaching out. I see a lot of stuff on the internet that companion passes are best for DOMESTIC flights and international is super limited, with lots of exceptions and only leaving from a handful of cities.
Is this true or am I missing something?
Thanks!
Hi Leslie-
The Companion Pass is good for ANY flight on Southwest — domestic or international — so long as there is an available seat. There are absolutely no limitations. Southwest flies to quite a lot of international destinations these days in Mexico and the Caribbean — most of those flights connect from their new international terminal in Ft. Lauderdale, but certainly you can leave from other cities in the U.S. The only reason your Companion Pass would ever NOT work would be if the flight is already full, but then you could just select another flight time. Hope that helps!
Hi Lyn, thanks for your help yesterday in booking my flights for Thanksgiving. I started checking the SW website at 6 AM and had just about given up hope when I got your email at 9:20 AM that the flights were open. Glad to know someone is on top of things! Safe travels! Gail
Yea! Thanks so much for sharing that, Gail :).
When will the end of March and all of April be available? I am trying to plan a trip to Orlando.
We won’t know for sure until they release the next round of flights through March 6 (currently scheduled for Aug. 15) but I’d guess early October.
Thank you!
booked now at 9.18am CT
Thanks! What cities did you book?
MCO (Orlando) to AUS (Austin)
Thanks for this post. I was able to book on the mobile app at 10:30 ET. Finally got my Disney flight scheduled using just points.
Excellent!
I cannot believe Southwest is waiting until September 16 to release their flight schedules thru March with the other major air carriers already have. I’m trying to book ski vacations in late Jan. and Feb. and the resorts are telling me they are starting to get booked up and I’m “crazy” (as one told me) to wait on Southwest until late September to book with them for a trip only a few months away. Who in the hell is running SWA???
This is how Southwest always runs things, though it does seem a bit late (agreed) to release these flights. They often change this date, so hopefully they will move it up!