What is the Best Time to Book a Flight on Southwest Airlines? 

Before we get into all the hacks and tricks, let’s start simple. Southwest’s fares jump around a lot, so the “best time to book” isn’t just luck. It’s actually a mix of timing, fare drops, and knowing when Southwest offers new deals to passengers. And once you understand how their pricing works, grabbing a good fare to book Southwest flight becomes way easier than it looks. It’s really just about knowing where to look and when to check.

Let’s walk you through the easiest ways to figure out when to book, how to catch those cheap fares, and how to avoid paying extra when you really don’t need to.

When is the Best Time to Book Southwest Flights?

Timing really does make a difference while booking a flight. While the airline doesn’t follow a strict “cheapest day” rule, there are certain patterns that frequent travelers follow. Generally, fares are cheaper when you book weeks to months before your journey. You may find some good deals during weekdays or immediately after Southwest has added a sale or changed its schedule. Southwest’s fares change rapidly. So, the trick is to keep checking, be flexible, and grab the good fare when you see one. 

Cheapest Time to Travel on Southwest Airlines

When it comes to actually flying on Southwest, some days and seasons are naturally cheaper than others. Here is a list of the cheapest days to travel:

• Tuesdays & Wednesdays (and often Saturdays): There are midweek sales and weekend leisure demand, so fares are commonly lower on these days.
• Early-morning or red-eye flights: Flights departing very early or very late at night (red-eyes) are cheaper as they are not as popular.
• Shoulder-season months: Off-peak months like January and September frequently show lower overall fares because demand drops after holidays and summer.
• Book within the prime domestic window: For many domestic Southwest routes, booking about 3-8 weeks ahead offers the best blend of price and availability. For longer or peak-season trips, aim earlier.
• When Southwest launches a sale / when the Low Fare Calendar shows dips: Fares can decrease significantly when there is a sale. Monitor the Low Fare Calendar or the deals page of the airline regularly.
• Be flexible with dates and airports: Small date shifts or flying from/into nearby airports often uncover cheaper options. Flexibility is frequently the single biggest money-saver.

How to Book a Flight on Southwest Airlines?

Southwest does not appear on normal search engines such as Google Flights or Expedia. Therefore, the most convenient and reliable way to reserve is through their official website or the Southwest mobile app. When you are on their site, fill in your details like departure city, destination, and travel dates. Southwest immediately shows all available flights on that specific day.

This makes it very easy to compare everything to the side, to know what you are paying. Once you select your flight, all you need to do is input your personal data, select your extras (if any), and finalize the payment. And the best part? If the price falls later, Southwest allows you to switch or re-book your ticket. That too, without paying any extra fee! So you never feel like you are stuck with a higher fare. It is fast, efficient, and one of the simplest booking procedures.

How to Use a Flight Price Tracker for Southwest Airlines?

If you don’t want to constantly refresh the website and hunt fares manually, using a price tracker tool is one of the smartest ways to save. With that, you can sit back, relax, and strike when it’s the best time to book a flight with Southwest. Now, since Southwest Airlines doesn’t have an in-built price tracker, you can follow the following steps:

• Go to a fare‑tracking website or app that supports Southwest (for example, a tracker like Hopper, Price Tracker, or similar services). Set your route + travel dates.
• Enable alerts, so you receive immediate email or browser notifications when prices change.
• Keep your dates flexible – if you aren’t tied to exact days, you’re more likely to catch a dip.
• Once you get a price‑drop alert, quickly log in to Southwest Airlines, search the same route and date, and check if the fare has indeed fallen.
• If you already booked and the fare has dropped, use Southwest’s free change/rebooking option to rebook at the lower fare and claim the difference (as Travel Funds or refunded points).

When Does Southwest Have Sales?

Sales are one of the best time to book Southwest flights. Southwest doesn’t just randomly drop fares. Knowing when to watch can help you catch the lowest fares before everyone else. Here are the typical sale windows and sale types you should keep an eye out for:

• The airline often launches weekly fare sales, most commonly on Tuesdays (around midday Eastern Time).
• There are seasonal/annual sales. For example, a “Summer Sale” around June/July, and a “Fall/Winter Sale” around October.
• Holiday periods and major shopping events such as Black Friday / Cyber Monday or around the New Year tend to bring good deals.
• Sometimes they offer flash sales or limited-time fare promotions (especially for short/less busy routes), where one-way fares drop significantly – great if you’re flexible on dates or destinations.

Conclusion

That’s all for now. Southwest flight booking doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. When you know the best time to book, how to stay flexible with your travel dates, and are keeping an eye on sales, or using tools like price trackers, you’re sure to get great fares. A little planning goes a long way, and with the tips mentioned in the guide, you’ll be ready to fly smarter and cheaper on Southwest Airlines.

Frequently Asked Questions