When will Southwest release the flight schedule for January, February and March 2026 flights?
Keep reading to find out the dates that are currently open for booking AND when the next set of Southwest flights will be open for booking…
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!
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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. For non-changeable Basic fares, you can temporarily upgrade them to Choice (if you booked in points) and then move them back to Basic with your change. You CAN cancel a Basic fare in points and have the points returned right back to your account.
However, if you do cancel a Basic fare, and you have paid cash or credit, you will only receive a “credit,” also called an Unused Southwest Travel Fund, good 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 2026 flights?
The airline has currently opened the Southwest Flight Schedule for booking through September 30, 2026.
Southwest has announced the next flight release date will be February 12th for booking flights through October 31, 2026.
Be sure to check back for any changes or updates.
Can I Fly to Hawaii?
Yes! Southwest now officially flies to Hawaii!
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.
Want More Points for Free Flights on Southwest?
Check out the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Cards, which let you earn tens of thousands of points that you can use to book free flights on Southwest!
These points also qualify for the 135,000 you need to earn the Southwest Companion Pass, so one person can fly free with you for up to 2 years.
See my full review of the Southwest cards.
Keep in mind you can only hold ONE personal Southwest card at a time, though you can hold 2 Southwest business cards.
To ensure you time these cards in the best way possible to easily ALWAYS have a Southwest Companion Pass, join hundreds of travelers inside Families Fly Free, where I share a simple system to always fly your family for free together with the 1-on-1 support and real-time information you need to be successful year after year.
Compare and contrast the varying Southwest credit card options HERE.
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If you want to earn EVEN MORE Southwest points, check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, my FAVORITE travel credit.
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- 3X points on dining, streaming and online grocery purchases
- 2X points on travel purchases
- 10% points bonus annually on spending
- Primary car rental insurance
- Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
Please note, this card’s points DO NOT qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass but CAN be used to book FREE flights on Southwest.
If you hold the Southwest Companion Pass, that effectively DOUBLES these Chase Ultimate Rewards points, because for every point that lets YOU fly FREE, someone else can also fly free with you, too!
Read More…
- How the Southwest Companion Pass Changed My Life
- What Is Southwest Business Select?
- Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About the Southwest Companion Pass
