Southwest Airlines is often regarded as the first-ever low-cost carrier. It is safe to say that these days are in the past, as nowadays the airline offers more included than any other US carrier. Even the cheapest ticket includes a cabin bag and – even better – 2 checked bags up to 50lbs (22 kg) each.
The airline is currently running a very attractive sale, as you purchase tickets for domestic one ways for as little US$30 (~€28).
We have prepared a list of possible routings, even though they are probably far more:
- Los Angeles → Las Vegas at US$30 (~€28)
- Los Angeles → San Francisco at US$32 (~€30)
- Boston → Baltimore at US$37 (~€35)
- Fort Lauderdale → Atlanta at US$37 (~€35)
- San Francisco → Las Vegas at US$40 (~€37)
- Seattle → Oakland (San Francisco) at US$42 (~€39)
- Chicago → Boston at US$44 (~€41)
- Phoenix → Los Angeles at US$47 (~€44)
- Chicago → Colorado Springs at US$49 (~€46)
- New York → Chicago at US$50 (~€47)
- Seattle → Denver at US$57 (~€53)
- Denver → El Paso at US$57 (~€53)
- St. Louis → Austin at US$63 (~€59)
You can also fly to Hawaii and back for as little as US$131 (~€122) when departing from the West Coast. However, these flights almost always include a change of planes both ways.
To Kona, Big Island:
- San José at US$131 (~€122)
- Oakland at US$136 (~€127)
- San Diego at US$138 (~€129)
- Los Angeles at US$155 (~€145)
To Lihue, Kauai:
- Sacramento at US$141 (~€132)
- San Diego at US$143 (~€133)
- San José at US$144 (~€134)
- Oakland at US$164 (~€153)
To Kahului, Maui:
- Los Angeles at US$147 (~€137)
- San Diego at US$159 (~€148)
- Portland at US$163 (~€152)
- Seattle at US$173 (~€161)
- San José at US$190 (~€177)
To Honolulu, Oahu:
- Los Angeles at US$149 (~€139)
- San Diego at US$190 (~€177)
- Oakland at US$190 (~€177)
To Hilo, Big Island:
- San José at US$136 (~€127)
- San Diego at US$137 (~€128)
- Oakland at US$161 (~€150)
Southwest exclusively flies Boeing 737 and 737MAX aircraft. The seat pitch of 81 is surprisingly generous.
Search & Book
The current sale is set to last until September 28, 2023, Pacific Time, so it will likely end in the early hours of Friday in Europe. According to the website, you need to apply the code WOW50 to get the lowest fares – but most of the time, it’s applied automatically.
The travel period lasts from October 24, 2023, through March 6, 2024. However, some city pairs and dates are excluded from this offer. To find cheap tickets, you have several options on Southwest’s website. The low fare calendar helps you find the best price when you already know where you want to go. The best deal tool highlights several connections at low fares from a specific airport.
About Southwest Airlines
There are no assigned seats at Southwest. On the plane, you can take any seat that is still available. It is therefore important to check in as early as possible (24 hours before departure) in order to get a good seat in the boarding line.
Unusual for a low-cost airline, but with Southwest, 2 x 50 pounds (approx. 22.6 kg) of checked luggage are included as standard. However, the sum of the dimensions of the item of luggage length + width + depth must not be greater than 62 inches = 157.48 cm (as is the case with many other airlines). Otherwise, expect a fee of US$75 (~€70) per piece of luggage. More about this directly from Southwest: Checked Baggage
If bags aren’t as important to you, there are Hawaiian flights for approximately the same price.
Cover Picture: Stephanie Klepacki