Southwest Rapid Rewards - When WN will start AUS-DCA?

Does anyone know when WN still start their service from AUS to DCA since they are awarded the route :rolleyes:

Does anyone know when WN still start their service from AUS to DCA since they are awarded the route :rolleyes:

According to the DOT, award winners must start the routes by early September. I thought it said Septermber 8th.

The slots allow only one flight in and one out of DCA per day, right?

The slots allow only one flight in and one out of DCA per day, right?

That's my understanding. September 8 is the date I remember WN (and the other airlines) must start service by.

I wonder if they will convert the rest of the FL operation at the end of the current schedule now that WN will definitely have one flight in and out of DCA.

DCA is the main legacy FL station that I'm waiting for.

Already discussed the existing thread.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/southwest-rapid-rewards/1322157-proposed-dca-service.html

oh man
I am going to DC at the end of June, and I wish they will start the service earlier than that
Please Southwest

According to OAG alerts the service operates as early as July 8th

Welcome to FlyerTalk, goldenfield, and thanks for the scoop.

I see these flights have not yet been loaded into SWA's system.

The website shows AUS-DCA bookable starting on July 8th.

AUS-DCA WN4114 12:25P - 4:40P
DCA-AUS WN4271 5:15P - 7:30P

That's new since this morning, as is this banner on the home page:

http://www.southwest.com/assets/images/homepage/hero_shots/aus_778x300.jpg

The website shows AUS-DCA bookable starting on July 8th.

AUS-DCA WN4114 12:25P - 4:40P
DCA-AUS WN4271 5:15P - 7:30P

Yep, and it's quite pricey too... There are absolutely *zero* WGA avaliable until... the last day of their current flight calendar, Nov 2.

$523 AT one-way fares.

Me thinks they rushed to get this route into their system and haven't done the research yet to price discounted fares.

EDIT: Of course, I'm not sure how discounted this route will ever be since it's the only non-stop service to this market from Austin.

I notices that too and my first thought is that they just haven't loaded the WGA fares yet. The may have a monopoly on AUS-DCA but a single AUS-DCA can't demand much fare premium over the simple, easy, and frequent options on AUS-DFW-DCA / AUS-IAH-DCA.

Of course, I'm not sure how discounted this route will ever be since it's the only non-stop service to this market from Austin.

I notices that too and my first thought is that they just haven't loaded the WGA fares yet. The may have a monopoly on AUS-DCA but a single AUS-DCA can't demand much fare premium over the simple, easy, and frequent options on AUS-DFW-DCA / AUS-IAH-DCA.

The long DCA routes will always command a premium over IAD/BWI. You see this on the nonstop AS routes, the nonstop DL routes etc. WN won't be any different.

That being said, I don't think WN will only charge BS/Anytime fares. I suspect the fares haven't been fully loaded into their system yet.

BTW, I thought this was SAN-AUS-DCA? The website says it is an "invalid route with departure airport."

BTW, fares on this route are now as low as $149 OW.

As for the SAN->AUS->DCA routing, perhaps they are waiting until November when the plan is to put a 738 on the route.

I just booked. $215 each way WGA.

I choose July 8 since I want to part of history and be on the maiden voyage.

Yes, $149 Tu/We/Sa, otherwise $215. Note that AUS-BWI is currently $205 7 days a week for summer travel, so for now the "premium" ranges from -$56 to $10 each way.

SWA has been selling AUS-DCA at a discount to AUS-BWI lately, with $181 fares Fr/Su, $160 otherwise. In the sale announced today, BWI is $139 while DCA (despite being a tad more than the 1,300 mile cutoff), is $99. I just changed a Philly flight to DCA to take advantage of the fare and the non-stop service.