Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar 2026: How to Book Cheap Flights

Major 2026 Updates: Southwest Airlines made its biggest changes in 50 years. Assigned seating launched January 27, 2026. All fare class names changed (Wanna Get Away is now Basic). Checked bag fees increased by $10 from April 9, 2026. Free Wi-Fi is now available for Rapid Rewards members. This guide reflects all current 2026 rules.

The Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar is the fastest way to find cheap flights across the entire month without checking prices day by day. Whether you’re flying from Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Dallas, or any other US city, the calendar shows you the lowest available Southwest fare for every date at a glance, so you can pick the cheapest day to fly.

But Southwest has changed dramatically in 2026. New fare class names, assigned seating, revised bag fees, and a schedule now open through September 2026 mean the old guides are outdated. This updated 2026 guide covers exactly how to use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar on both desktop and mobile, what the new fare classes mean for your search, and how to get the best price on every route.

Quick Answer: Go to southwest.com → click ‘Book a Flight’ → enter your departure city, destination, and travel month → click ‘Low Fare Calendar’ → the calendar shows the lowest available Southwest fare for each date in the month. Click any date to book. The calendar works the same way on desktop and mobile, and you can view fares in dollars or Rapid Rewards points.

What Is the Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar?

The Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar is a built-in tool on southwest.com that displays the cheapest available Southwest fare for each day of a selected month on a single screen. Instead of checking one date at a time, you can see the entire month’s pricing at once and immediately identify the cheapest days to fly your chosen route.

You can view fares in US dollars or Rapid Rewards points. Since Southwest’s point value mirrors its cash fares, a cheaper cash date is always a cheaper points date too, which makes the calendar just as useful for points travelers as for cash bookers.

Feature	Details
Where to find it	southwest.com → Book a Flight → Low Fare Calendar
What it shows	Lowest available fare for each day of the selected month
Booking window	Up to approximately 7 months ahead; schedule currently open through September 30, 2026
Fare display	US dollars OR Rapid Rewards points (toggle between views)
Flight types	One-way, round-trip, and multi-city itineraries
Works on	Desktop browser and Southwest mobile app
Does it appear on Google Flights?	No, Southwest fares only appear on southwest.com

Important: Southwest Airlines does not list its fares on Google Flights, Expedia, or most third-party search engines (Expedia and Priceline were added as new distribution partners in 2026, but the Low Fare Calendar tool is exclusive to southwest.com). Always check southwest.com directly for the full picture.

What Changed on Southwest Airlines in 2026: What Low Fare Calendar Users Need to Know

Southwest underwent its most significant transformation in company history in 2025–2026. If you haven’t flown Southwest recently, these changes directly affect how you use the Low Fare Calendar and what you’re actually buying:

1. Assigned Seating Launched January 27, 2026

Southwest eliminated its 50-year open seating model on January 27, 2026. All flights from that date onward have assigned seats. The old A/B/C boarding groups with numbered stanchions are gone, replaced by numbered boarding Groups 1–8 based on fare class and loyalty status. When you book using the Low Fare Calendar, you’ll now choose (or be assigned) a specific seat, not just a boarding position.

2. New Fare Class Names- Everything Renamed

Old Fare Name	New Fare Name (2026)	Seat at Booking?	Bags Included?
Wanna Get Away	Basic	Assigned at check-in	No free checked bags (fees apply)
Wanna Get Away Plus	Choice	Choose Standard seat at booking	No free checked bags (fees apply)
Anytime	Choice Preferred	Choose Preferred seat at booking	No free checked bags (fees apply)
Business Select	Choice Extra	Choose any seat incl. Extra Legroom	2 free checked bags included

3. Three Seat Types Now Available

• Extra Legroom: Rows 1–5 and exit rows  34 inches of pitch, additional fee above base fare
• Preferred: Standard seats closer to the front of the aircraft  available on Choice and above
• Standard: Seats toward the rear are included in all fares; assigned at check-in for Basic fare

4. Checked Bag Fees Updated (April 9, 2026)

Southwest raised checked bag fees by $10 for new bookings made on or after April 9, 2026. Current fees for Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares:

• First checked bag: $45 (was $35)
• Second checked bag: $55 (was $45)
• Choice Extra fare: 2 free checked bags still included
• A-List Preferred members and Rapid Rewards credit cardholders: free bag benefits retained

5. Free Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards Members

Southwest launched free in-flight Wi-Fi for all Rapid Rewards loyalty program members in 2026, in partnership with T-Mobile. Non-members pay for Wi-Fi access. Joining Rapid Rewards is free at southwest.com.

6. Schedule Open Through September 30, 2026

Southwest’s booking window currently extends through September 30, 2026. The airline releases schedules in batches rather than opening a full 11-month window at once. Check southwest.com regularly — new dates are added periodically, and early bookers consistently get lower fares.

How to Use the Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar on Desktop

Here’s the exact step-by-step process to find cheap Southwest flights using the Low Fare Calendar on a desktop browser:

1. Open your browser and go to southwest.com. The Low Fare Calendar is not available on third-party sites.
2. Click ‘Book a Flight’ in the top navigation bar.
3. Enter your departure city and destination (e.g., Chicago MDW to Las Vegas LAS).
4. Click the ‘Low Fare Calendar’ button below the date fields to load the calendar view for your route.
5. The calendar shows the lowest available fare for each day of the month. Green/highlighted dates are the cheapest.
6. Toggle between dollar fares and Rapid Rewards points using the switch at the top of the calendar.
7. Click the cheapest date to view available flights for that day and proceed to booking.
8. Select your fare class (Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, or Choice Extra) and seat, then complete your booking.

Desktop tip: On a desktop, you can navigate forward and back through months to compare fares across several months, which is useful for flexible travellers who want the cheapest month, not just the cheapest day.

How to Use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar on Mobile

The Southwest Low Fare Calendar works on mobile through the Southwest Airlines app or the mobile browser. Many travellers struggle to find it on mobile here’s exactly where to look:

Using the Southwest App (Recommended for Mobile)

1. Download the free Southwest Airlines app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Tap ‘Book’ on the home screen.
3. Enter your departure and destination cities.
4. Tap the date field you’ll see a calendar view with fares shown on each date.
5. Scroll left or right to move between months and find the cheapest dates for your route.
6. Tap a date to view flights and book your chosen fare class.

Using Mobile Browser (southwest.com)

If you’re using southwest.com in a mobile browser rather than the app, the Low Fare Calendar still works but the interface is smaller. Tap the date field after entering your cities, and the calendar will appear. Swipe horizontally to move between months. The app provides a smoother experience for mobile users.

Mobile tip: Enable push notifications in the Southwest app to receive fare alerts when prices drop on routes you’ve searched. This is especially useful for flexible US travellers monitoring popular routes like Houston to Orlando or Chicago to Denver.

Which Southwest Fare Class Should You Book in 2026?

The Low Fare Calendar shows the cheapest available fare for each date, which is always the Basic fare. But Basic isn’t right for every traveler in 2026. Here’s how to choose:

Fare Class	Best For	Seat Assignment	Change/Cancel	Checked Bags
Basic	Budget travelers with fixed plans, carry-on only	Assigned at check-in (no choice)	Non-refundable; changes require fare upgrade	No free bags — $45 first, $55 second
Choice	Most leisure travelers wanting flexibility	Choose Standard seat at booking	Flight credit if canceled 10+ min before departure	No free bags — $45 first, $55 second
Choice Preferred	Flexible travelers who want front seats + refundability	Choose Preferred seat at booking	Fully refundable; day-of travel perks	No free bags — $45 first, $55 second
Choice Extra	Frequent flyers, business travelers, bag-heavy packers	Choose any seat incl. Extra Legroom	Fully refundable; highest Rapid Rewards earn	2 free checked bags included

Bag fee tip: If you need to check two bags, run the numbers before booking Basic. Two checked bags on Basic = $100 extra ($45 + $55). Upgrading to Choice Extra to get free bags may cost less overall, especially on longer routes from US cities like Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago.

When Are Southwest Flights Cheapest? Best Days & Months to Book

The Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar makes it easy to spot pricing patterns and gets to know the best time to book southwesy flights. Here’s what consistently works for US travelers in 2026:

Timing	Why It’s Cheaper	Savings Potential
Tuesdays & Wednesdays	Lowest demand days; new fare sales often drop Tuesday morning	$30–$80 vs. Friday/Sunday
Saturdays	Less popular than Friday and Sunday departures	$20–$50 savings
Early morning (before 7am)	Lowest demand time slots on most routes	$15–$40 savings
Late evening (after 9pm)	Off-peak departure times with consistently lower fares	$15–$40 savings
January, September, early November	Off-peak travel months with lowest overall demand	$50–$150 vs. peak months
3–6 weeks in advance	Optimal booking window for most domestic Southwest routes	Up to 30% vs. last-minute
As soon as new dates release	Southwest releases schedules in batches; early bookers get lowest fares	Up to 40% on popular routes

Southwest Low Fare Calendar: Best Routes for Cheap Flights in 2026

These US routes consistently show the lowest fares on the Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar and are ideal starting points for budget travellers:

• Las Vegas (LAS): Off-peak fares from major hubs drop to $79–$99 one-way; one of Southwest’s most competitive routes.
• Denver (DEN): Fares frequently below $100 one-way in spring and fall from Midwest and Southwest US cities.
• Orlando (MCO): Family-friendly destination with round-trip deals starting near $120 from East Coast cities.
• Chicago Midway (MDW): Regular weekday fares under $110 from Houston, Dallas, and the East Coast
• Dallas Love Field (DAL): Southwest’s primary Texas hub with strong frequency and competitive fares from most US cities.
• Phoenix (PHX): Consistent low fares from West Coast cities and Texas; popular winter sun destination.

Pro tip: Search the Low Fare Calendar with a flexible destination, enter your departure city and browse multiple destination options separately to compare which route offers the lowest base fare for your travel dates.

How to Rebook a Southwest Flight When Fares Drop

One of Southwest’s best features, still intact in 2026 for Choice and above fares, is the ability to rebook at a lower price if fares drop after you’ve already bought your ticket.

• For Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra fares: if the same flight gets cheaper after you book, cancel your original booking (flight credit issued) and rebook at the lower fare net result is savings with no penalty.
• For Basic fares, rebooking requires a fare upgrade per Southwest’s 2026 rules. This flexibility is no longer available on the cheapest fare class.
• For Rapid Rewards points bookings: if the price drops, change your flight to the lower-priced option and receive a points refund automatically.
• Check your booked flights on the Southwest Low Fare Calendar regularly, as fares are updated multiple times per day.

Strategy tip: Check the fare on your already-booked Southwest flight every Tuesday morning. That’s when new sale prices typically drop. If your route gets cheaper, rebook the savings immediately, which can be $30–$150 per ticket depending on the route and timing.

Using the Southwest Low Fare Calendar with Rapid Rewards Points

The Southwest Low Fare Calendar displays fares in both dollars and Rapid Rewards points, and the two always move together. A cheaper cash date is automatically a cheaper points date. This makes the calendar the most efficient tool for Rapid Rewards members planning award travel.

• Toggle to points view: log in to your Rapid Rewards account at southwest.com, then use the Low Fare Calendar all fares display in points instead of dollars.
• Typical domestic one-way award: 3,000–25,000 points depending on route, distance, and demand.
• 2026 update: Rapid Rewards now uses variable earn-and-burn rates; premium fare classes earn more points per dollar and may cost more points to redeem.
• Free Wi-Fi: active Rapid Rewards members now get free in-flight Wi-Fi on all Southwest flights. Sign up free at southwest.com before you fly.
• Companion Pass: earn 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year and bring a companion on every flight for free (plus taxes) for the rest of that year and all of the next.

Southwest Low Fare Calendar: Pros & Cons in 2026

Pros	Cons
Find cheapest days instantly without checking one date at a time	Basic fare no longer includes free rebooking flexibility
View fares in dollars or points — same tool for cash and award travel	Checked bag fees now apply to most fare classes (except Choice Extra)
Schedule open through September 2026 — plan up to 7 months ahead	Not available on Google Flights or most third-party search sites
Choice and above fares still allow free rebooking if prices drop	Extra Legroom and Preferred seats cost more on top of base fare
Free Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards members on all flights (2026)	Basic fare seat assigned at check-in — no seat choice at booking
No change or cancellation fees on Choice fares and above	Popular routes at peak times have limited low-fare availability
New Expedia & Priceline distribution means Southwest fares now appear on select OTAs	Low Fare Calendar still exclusive to southwest.com — not on OTAs

Ready to Find Cheap Southwest Flights?

The Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar remains the single best tool for budget travellers flying within the US. With Southwest’s 2026 changes, assigning seating, new fare classes, revised bag fees, and a schedule through September 2026, knowing what you’re buying before you click is more important than ever.

Need help navigating Southwest’s new fare structure or finding the best deal on your specific route? Call Flying Getaway at our phone. Our team will compare available Southwest fares with other airline options and help you book the best price for your trip.

Call our phone for expert Southwest Airlines booking support and great fligh bookings deals.

Frequently Asked Questions: Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar

What is the Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar?

The Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar is a tool on southwest.com that displays the cheapest available Southwest fare for each day of a selected month on a single calendar view. It covers one-way, round-trip, and multi-city bookings and shows fares in both US dollars and Rapid Rewards points. It is only available on southwest.com, not on Google Flights or most third-party sites.

How do I use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar on a desktop?

Go to southwest.com → click ‘Book a Flight’ → enter your departure city and destination → click ‘Low Fare Calendar’ below the date fields. The calendar shows the lowest fare for each day of the month. Click any date to view available flights and book your chosen fare class.

How do I find the Southwest Low Fare Calendar on mobile?

In the Southwest Airlines app: tap ‘Book’ → enter your cities → tap the date field to open the calendar view with fares on each date. In a mobile browser: go to southwest.com, enter your cities, and tap the date field. The app provides a smoother mobile calendar experience than the browser.

What are the new Southwest fare classes in 2026?

Southwest renamed all fares in 2026: Wanna Get Away became Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus became Choice, Anytime became Choice Preferred, and Business Select became Choice Extra. All fares now include assigned seating (implemented January 27, 2026). Basic fares have seats assigned at check-in; Choice and above allow seat selection at booking.

Does Southwest still have free checked bags in 2026?

Not for all fares. Free checked bags are now included only with Choice Extra (formerly Business Select) and for A-List Preferred members and qualifying Rapid Rewards credit card holders. For Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares, checked bags cost $45 (first bag) and $55 (second bag) for bookings made on or after April 9, 2026. Call our phone for expert Southwest Airlines booking support and great fligh bookings deals.

What days are Southwest flights cheapest in 2026?

Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently show the lowest fares on the Southwest Low Fare Calendar. Saturday departures are also cheaper than those on Friday or Sunday. Early morning (before 7am) and late evening (after 9pm) flights tend to be cheaper than midday flights. January, September, and early November are the cheapest months overall.

How far in advance can I book Southwest flights in 2026?

Southwest releases its flight schedule in batches. The schedule is currently open through September 30, 2026, approximately 5–7 months ahead at any given time. Southwest doesn’t open a full 11-month window like most airlines; new dates are added periodically. Book as soon as your desired travel dates become available for the lowest fares.

Can I rebook a Southwest flight if the fare drops?

Yes for Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra fares. If the same flight gets cheaper after you book, cancel your reservation (you receive a flight credit) and rebook at the lower price. For Basic fares, rebooking requires a fare upgrade per the 2026 Southwest policy. For Rapid Rewards points bookings, a price drop triggers an automatic points refund when you switch to the cheaper flight.

Does the Southwest Low Fare Calendar show Rapid Rewards points?

Yes. Toggle the fare display in the Low Fare Calendar from dollars to Rapid Rewards points by logging into your Rapid Rewards account at southwest.com. Since Southwest’s point cost mirrors its cash fares, the cheapest cash date is always the cheapest points date too. Call our phone for expert Southwest Airlines booking support and great fligh bookings deals.

When do Southwest flight sales drop in 2026?

Southwest typically releases new fare sales on Tuesday mornings. Checking the Low Fare Calendar on Tuesday is the best way to catch fresh deals before they sell out. Southwest also runs periodic flash sales, holiday sales (Black Friday and summer), and the annual birthday sale in June. Sign up for Southwest’s email list or Rapid Rewards membership to receive sale notifications.