I just booked tkts. on SW to New Orleans for Jazz Fest. My friends had booked earlier in the week and they managed to snag some of those hot internet deals but they are now all gone for the N/S best times (Apr. 28 & 30). They are the only airline that flies non-stop btwn. Tampa and New Orleans.

Those who are in the know -- do you think that SW will add more planes? To accomodate demand? What dya' think? I'm hoping to refund my tkts. for something cheaper.

Tandoori Girl, they will move to larger planes before they add flights.

I'm sure they will eventually add more flights as tourism picks up but don't think so in your case because of the short time frame.

I kind of doubt SW will add more flights on that route in the next couple of months, even given higher demand for that event. And SWA won't add larger planes because they only fly one type in the first place-- Boeing 737. You might look into flying out of MCO....

GoT, they just announced the Jazz Fest schedule Monday. My friends booked then but by today, all the discounted fares are gone. Jazz Fest is bound to be huge this year. I'm going to be looking for those big ol' planes to come along and save me some money.

MCO? What's that?

Er, where's that?

MCO = Orlando

Tnx. I just checked Orlando and they are booked on the return for their cheap flights so there's no savings. The savings on the flight to NOLA is about $45/tkt. but I'd have to leave Tampa at 4A to get there an hour before the 6:30 flight. So won't do that.

The seats are not gone. Just the cheap fare buckets that they've opened up for that flight. Now, if the high fares don't sell, they may move some inventory to the "fun fare" or "internet one-way" bucket.

So, the question you ask is the wrong one. If the tickets sell so well that Southwest will need to add flights, then they'll all be "refundable anytime" $126 one-way.

Instead, you should ask "Will Southwest's flights be so empty that they'll lower fares?"

I just looked at Southwest's website and they HAVE FLIGHTS AVAILABLE for TPA-MSY for those dates.

Not discount fares, but they have seats. Why would they add flights when all the existing seats aren't already sold?

I think SW will add CITIES before they add flights to their schedules.

I'm doomed. Guess I'll just suck up these fares which really aren't so bad.

Tnx. guys.