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What is the cheapest day to fly out on Southwest?

According to the trend of travelers using the airline's services, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly Southwest Airlines. Even though the airline is a low-cost carrier with flights to over 100 locations, experienced travelers nevertheless utilize various tactics to save even more money.



In 2026, the cheapest days to fly on Southwest Airlines consistently remain Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These mid-week days see the lowest demand from both business travelers and vacationers, prompting the airline to lower fares to fill seats. While Southwest is famous for its "Wanna Get Away" fares, they also frequently launch three-day sales on Tuesday mornings, which can drop prices significantly for those specific days. Traveling on a Saturday or a "dead" period—such as the first two weeks of December or late January—can also yield low prices. Conversely, Fridays and Sundays are almost always the most expensive due to the high volume of weekend travelers. To find the absolute lowest fare, Southwest’s "Low Fare Calendar" tool is indispensable; it allows you to view a whole month of pricing at once, often revealing that shifting your departure by just 24 hours can save you $50 to $100 per person. Always aim to book at least 21 days in advance to capture the best tier of discounted tickets.

People Also Ask

Average domestic airfare price by day
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically.
  • Saturday and Monday flights can help you avoid the Sunday rush.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally.
  • Book one to three months in advance.
  • Set a price alert.


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40% OFF FARE SALE!! Southwest offers 2 real fare sales every year. One in June for the Mid August thru just before Christmas time period and a second one in August for the period listed above plus about 6 weeks in January and February. This is the June sale.

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Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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The general rule is that for domestic flights, travelers should start searching for flight tickets one to three months in advance. For international flights, the best prices are typically available from two to eight months in advance. Prices can also vary widely among airlines.

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Southwest Is A Safe Airline
They are a favorite among travelers looking for cheap flights without having to compromise on comfort or security. According to the most recent list of the world's safest airlines, Southwest was ranked in the top 15 airlines in the world in 2021, even beating out Delta, American, and United.

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Southwest Airlines revolutionized air travel by making it affordable and accessible to all. Their success is attributed to offering low fares, utilizing cheaper airports, operating a single fleet type, smart scheduling, and flying point-to-point routes.

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Members can use 40OFF in the promo code box when booking to receive the discount. Restrictions, exclusions, and blackout dates apply.

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$59 one-way fares are available between West Palm Beach and Cleveland, between Orlando and Detroit, between Tampa Bay and Chicago Midway, between Jacksonville and Louisville, and between Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and St. Louis.

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Time your booking right
“For domestic flights, if you're talking peak season, it's about three to seven months in advance,” he says. “For international flights — [it's] four to 10 months.”

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Generally, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly, while Fridays and Sundays are pricier, according to travel deal site FareCompare. Leisure travelers tend to fly on the weekends, either starting their vacations on Friday or taking a long weekend Friday to Sunday.

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More specifically, Tuesday at about 15:00 eastern time. This is because many airlines release weekly sales early on Tuesday, which creates competition between airlines to match prices.

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Domestic airline prices are on the decline in 2023, finally retreating after spiking just a year ago. International fares are still high. After soaring in 2022, prices for domestic airline tickets are on the descent.

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How often do airlines update airfare information online? The airlines update fare information 3 times a day. They do not necessarily change airfare prices all three times, but they certainly can, and often do.

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Southwest Airlines is more flexible than most other large airlines. Southwest is the only large U.S. airline that is also a low-cost carrier. Southwest Airlines' strategy emphasizes recruiting and retaining motivated employees. Southwest continues to improve its business model and practices.

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