King Triton
04-25-2007, 01:04 PM
I've posted this on a Southwest thread a few days back, but it is worth repeating...and I need to preface this by saying what I'm about to post could be completely wrong, so please don't flame me if thats the case.
For those of you that are considering traveling to Disney or anywhere else in the late August thru October timeframe, there is a reasonable chance that Southwest Airlines may release those dates tomorrow (Thursday, April 26). (Of course, these days whenever Southwest does anything, there's ripple effects all over the place). I'm not saying they'll do this for sure, but there is a chance.
If you care, here's why: Earlier in the year the manager of Southwest scheduling wrote a blog entry on the Southwest site explaining how they do their scheduling. He explained they go by the 120/180 rule, which is: When they get down to 120 days of inventory, they will expand it to 180 days.
At present, as many of you know, Southwest's inventory goes out to August 24. Today is April 25. 120 days from today is August 23, so tomorrow there will be 120 days of inventory left in Southwest's system. Also, add that, even though it isn't set in stone, Southwest always releases new inventory on Thursday morning (I think at 10 AM Eastern, but I'm not positive about that).
If this happens, and its a big if, I would expect the inventory to go out about 180 days. 180 days out takes it to October 23. I think they like to end their inventory on a Friday, so I'm guessing the end date will be October 19 or 26. I'd guess the 26th, since that'll give them more time to get the next schedule together.
Bored yet?? lol
I should also point out that Southwest does not typically have big sales when they release new dates. I think they see how things sell and how other airlines react for a time before they start discounting. But if you're the type that likes to reserve ASAP, tomorrow could be the day.
Again, I should point out this might not happen. At the last date release, Southwest ran several weeks late and people were furious with them for messing up their summer plans. They kind of promised not to do that again. I would think there'd be more pressure internally to get it done this time.
So, take a look over there tomorrow. If they don't release those dates, they'll be late...which makes it even more likely next Thursday.
For those of you that are considering traveling to Disney or anywhere else in the late August thru October timeframe, there is a reasonable chance that Southwest Airlines may release those dates tomorrow (Thursday, April 26). (Of course, these days whenever Southwest does anything, there's ripple effects all over the place). I'm not saying they'll do this for sure, but there is a chance.
If you care, here's why: Earlier in the year the manager of Southwest scheduling wrote a blog entry on the Southwest site explaining how they do their scheduling. He explained they go by the 120/180 rule, which is: When they get down to 120 days of inventory, they will expand it to 180 days.
At present, as many of you know, Southwest's inventory goes out to August 24. Today is April 25. 120 days from today is August 23, so tomorrow there will be 120 days of inventory left in Southwest's system. Also, add that, even though it isn't set in stone, Southwest always releases new inventory on Thursday morning (I think at 10 AM Eastern, but I'm not positive about that).
If this happens, and its a big if, I would expect the inventory to go out about 180 days. 180 days out takes it to October 23. I think they like to end their inventory on a Friday, so I'm guessing the end date will be October 19 or 26. I'd guess the 26th, since that'll give them more time to get the next schedule together.
Bored yet?? lol
I should also point out that Southwest does not typically have big sales when they release new dates. I think they see how things sell and how other airlines react for a time before they start discounting. But if you're the type that likes to reserve ASAP, tomorrow could be the day.
Again, I should point out this might not happen. At the last date release, Southwest ran several weeks late and people were furious with them for messing up their summer plans. They kind of promised not to do that again. I would think there'd be more pressure internally to get it done this time.
So, take a look over there tomorrow. If they don't release those dates, they'll be late...which makes it even more likely next Thursday.