Southwest Airlines launches special fares on its winter flights

Southwest Airlines, the low-cost carrier based in Dallas, Texas, the United States, has launched sale of special fares on its winter flights – with fares starting from as low as $59 one-way for select destinations.

A statement from Southwest Airlines said that these fares should be bought before November 23, 2009.

The fares, which need a 14-day advance purchase, are available for every day except Fridays and Sundays, for travel between December 2, 2009, and December 17, 2009; and between January 5, 2010, and March 9, 2010.

The airline said the special fares, which can be bought only online, are available on its website www.southwest.com

Those passengers with flexible dates of travel have to try the Southwest Low Fare Calendar Tool on the website, Southwest Airlines said.  The Low Fare Calendar tool, a monthly calendar, will show the lowest price available for each day.

Here are a few examples of Southwest Airlines’ low fares between different destinations:

$59 one-way between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and San Diego International Airport; $89 one-way between Boston Area (Boston Logan International Airport, Manchester International Airport, or Providence International Airport) and Chicago Midway International Airport; $109 one-way between St  Louis International Airport and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport; and $79 one-way between Pittsburg International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

According to Southwest Airlines, seats are limited for the special-fare travel, and fares could vary with flights, destinations, and day of the week.

The special fares are not available on some flights which operate during “very busy travel times” and holiday periods like President’s Day, the airline said in the statement.

The fares do not include the federal excise tax of $3.60 for each flight segment. (A flight segment has been defined as one takeoff and one landing.)

Also, the fares are not inclusive of the United States government-imposed ‘September 11 Security Fee’ of up to $5.00 one-way as also the airport-assessed passenger facility charges (PFC) of up to $9.00.

Southwest Airlines said the fares are non-refundable. However, if unused, they may be used for buying future travel on Southwest Airlines.

The fares are neither combinable with Senior Fares nor are available through the Group Desk, and any change in the journey may lead to in an increase in fares.

Besides, standby travel needs an upgrade to the Anytime fare; the fares are subject to change until ticketed; and the special offer is applicable only to operated, published scheduled services.

Southwest Airlines is the biggest airline based in the United States in terms of domestic passengers carried. At present, the airline flies to 68 cities in 35 states – operating over 3,100 flights daily.

The airline had announced, in October 2009, that it was adding daily flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to Orlando International Airport and to Chicago Midway International Airport.