Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

[Sprucegoose]

PLEASE INCLUDE DATE, FLIGHT NUMBER, ORIGIN & DESTINATION IN ALL REQUESTS

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>>>> ADDED BY ADMIN (6 Sept 2010) <<<<

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Background to this thread
We have noticed an increase in the posting of questions about seat availability on specific flights. These are all valid questions and we all appreciate the efforts our members go to to provide answers.

The only drawback is that our forums can become "cluttered" with specific questions about availability on specific flights. This tends to reduce the overall usability of our site.
We have therefore created this new consolidated thread where you can ask questions about seat availability on specific flights. Hopefully, this will reduce clutter and improve useability.

Guidelines for posting in this thread
Please post questions about availability of specific flights or upgrade probability in this new consolidated thread. Be sure to include the airline, flight number, date, origin and destination and any other relevant detail.

When answering questions, please include the original question. This will assist in readability and management of the thread.

Thanks!

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For Questions about Aircraft Configuration and Seat Availability, please use this thread:​

Understanding [Fare Buckets] Expert Flyer

I'd appreciate some help understanding the information EF provides. For example, F6 A6 J9 C9 D9 I0 B9 H9 K9 M9 R9 L9 V9 S0 N0 Q0 O0 X0 E0 What letters do I look at to try to work out how many seats are still available in economy? What letters do I look at to try to work out how many...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

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See this thread for hints on how to read loadings:

Interpreting and Understanding Expert Flyer​

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If looking for, say Qantas points upgrades, look for A class for First, mid to high D or any I class for Business and any R for Premium Economy.

Look for the most expensive category of the cabin YOU are currently booked in as being sold out e.g. J0 to first, W0 to Business & Y0 to PE for increased op-up chances. Also, look for availability on the discount premium buckets (A, P, I, D, U, T & Z inventories).

Conversely, look for high numbers in the discount economy buckets (N, O, Q, E & X inventories) for reduced op-up chances.

Seat maps can be a VERY rough guide but note that just because a seat is not showing as allocated does not mean that seat hasn't been sold. Not everyone pre-selects seats.

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>>>> END OF ADMIN UPDATE <<<<

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Original thread title: update on QF93 on 12 sept

Appreciate it if someone could check EP for loadings.

thnxs

SPRUCE

 

[serfty]

... EF seatmap shows two unallocated F seats. ...

Have you checked all three "Versions" of the seat map?

As a WP travelling SYD-LHR, you have a chance IMHO. Not so much if you were booked on the SIN segments.

 

[serfty]

... QF11 SYD-LAX 09/09/10 ... 52K (WP/PG status) ... 52H (was SG via PG but has now hit WP on her own merit). 52J ... now is ...
Has seat blocking been thrown out for WP's (especially 2 in one row of 3 seats)

(Yes, I know, it is an open seat... etc etc etc)

W/9 R/7 T/3 Z/0 Y/9 B/9 H/9 K/9 M/7 L/5 V/7 S/6 N/2 Q/0 O/0 G/0 X/0 E/0

..

..

52H 52J..52K

I call that the WP Shadow - it moves with you.

 

[file51]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

..

..

52H 52J..52K

If memory serves me correct, that is blocked.... not bum on seat... lol

thx

(note to self - must renew EF)

 

[moa999]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Have you checked all three "Versions" of the seat map?

As a WP travelling SYD-LHR, you have a chance IMHO. Not so much if you were booked on the SIN segments.

1K and 3F available on SYD-LHR, SYD-SIN and SIN-LHR
1A, 2A, 3A, 4A also available on SIN-LHR.

On a DONE4 with request put in two months ago so hoping for the best,
Just a bit worried about the F0 and no seats on sale.

 

[Sprucegoose]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Can you please put your Nostradamas Hats on and predict my U/G chances here on 93 on Sunday. I have a Y ticket of questionable value!!!

Thanks

SPRUCE

QF 93 MEL
12/09/10 10:10 LAX
12/09/10 7:30 388
F2 A1 J9 C0 D0 I0 W0 R0 T0 Y9 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 G0 E0

 

[serfty]

How many unallocated/blocked seats are there in F, J & W?

You should get a better guide tomorrow morning after T-80 hours.

 

[Sprucegoose]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

How many unallocated/blocked seats are there in F, J & W?

You should get a better guide tomorrow morning after T-80 hours.

Thanks EF is currently showing

Blocked F2 / J 10 / W 5

Unallocated incl disabled (white)

F 8 / J 3 / W 0

Thanks

SPRUCE

 

[serfty]

3 unallocated is concerning - if that includes the

seats then there are not going to be that many.

Tomorrow will give a better view but expect a few upgrades J to P, followed by a few J to U, then W to U, Y to U and finally Y to Z.

Without knowing the real loadings this is conjecture, but as a WP you'd have a reasonable chance in Y/B/H classes, 50% in L/M classes and prayer is your best bet if in S/V.

 

[Sprucegoose]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

3 unallocated is concerning - if that includes the

seats then there are not going to be that many.

Tomorrow will give a better view but expect a few upgrades J to P, followed by a few J to U, then W to U, Y to U and finally Y to Z.

Without knowing the real loadings this is conjecture, but as a WP you'd have a reasonable chance in Y/B/H classes, 50% in L/M classes and prayer is your best bet if in S/V.

thnxs let you know

 

[Sprucegoose]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

How many unallocated/blocked seats are there in F, J & W?

You should get a better guide tomorrow morning after T-80 hours.

Serfty what is the difference between unallocated and blocked? I take it they are not one and the same?

Cheers. spruce

 

[serfty]

See post #22, the two outer seats are allocated and the middle is Blocked but not allocated.

If I preselect a seat on a domestic Qantas flight, quite often the seat beside me gets "Blocked". This block follows me around if I "move" to different seats on the same flight. This has been referred to as the "Platinum Shadow".

This symbol indicates a "free" seat:

(Not Blocked, nor allocated)

Note this is how E/F shows for Qantas flights. It does vary for other carriers.

 

[medhead]

** NEW** Flight Availability Help Desk

Yes I moved from 11c to 9c.

As of an hour ago I'm in 4A. That is fairly indicative of my seating experience with this flight, QF785, since making gold.

I'll still keep looking for 4F as then I have a chance to see my house on descent which would be good as I don't like lying to the kids telling them that I did see it.

 

[Sprucegoose]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

See post #22, the two outer seats are allocated and the middle is Blocked but not allocated.

If I preselect a seat on a domestic Qantas flight, quite often the seat beside me gets "Blocked". This block follows me around if I "move" to different seats on the same flight. This has been referred to as the "Platinum Shadow".

This symbol indicates a "free" seat:

(Not Blocked, nor allocated)

Note this is how E/F shows for Qantas flights. It does vary for other carriers.

Thanks Serfty, the shadow concept - is it WP driven with class of ticket involved?

Would you get shadow on a N class?

cheers

SPRUCE

 

[straitman]

** NEW** Flight Availability Help Desk

Thanks Serfty, the shadow concept - is it WP driven with class of ticket involved?

Would you get shadow on a N class?

cheers

SPRUCE

SPRUCE,

I believe it is WP driven as serfty and I have both had it on the same (domestic) flight on Red e Deals.

 

[serfty]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Thanks Serfty, the shadow concept - is it WP driven with class of ticket involved?

Would you get shadow on a N class?
...

Yep! V, N, O, Q, E, T, U and X in my experiences this year.

 

[JohnK]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Some of the theories on AFF are way out there. Platinum Shadow?

Currently I have pre-allocated 4C on QF557 BNE-SYD tomorrow (10/09/10).

From the seat map on the QF website 4AB are vacant. Can someone please tell me if I have a "shadow" in 4B?

 

[serfty]

Some of the theories on AFF are way out there. Platinum Shadow?

Currently I have pre-allocated 4C on QF557 BNE-SYD tomorrow (10/09/10).

From the seat map on the QF website 4AB are vacant. Can someone please tell me if I have a "shadow" in 4B?

Only going by observation and use of Expert Flyer.

..

..

4A...4B..4C

Qantas.com/yourbooking seat selection will show the 4B seat as available to you. Another WP would see it as unavailable. straitman and I tested this out back in February when we were on the same flight.

When travelling on 737 with SWMBO, and there's a row of three seats free, I'll preallocated a B seat for me, put her in the C seat and the A seat becomes blocked*. Over the last 12 months, the window seat has remained free 75% of the time.

* or E, D & F as the case may be.

 

[JohnK]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Qantas.com/yourbooking seat selection will show the 4B seat as available to you. Another WP would see it as unavailable. straitman and I tested this out back in February when we were on the same flight.

Well I would never have believed it.

Over the last 12 months, the window seat has remained free 75% of the time.

Are you saying I should pre-allocate the centre seat and hope that either the aisle or window "shadow" stay vacant? I guess this would work best on lightly loaded flights.

Does the same work for 767's AB or JK? Surely at some point in time someone (another passenger or check-in staff) will be able to override the "shadow". Would be interesting to know this point in time.

 

[serfty]

Certainly lightly loaded flights. As for the 737 trick - I've only done it when travelling with SWMBO; if Solo, I grab the C / D seat (often the B / E seat remains free).

 

[straitman]

re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Certainly lightly loaded flights. As for the 737 trick - I've only done it when travelling with SWMBO; if Solo, I grab the C / D seat (often the B / E seat remains free).

Though as serfty did point out, on heavily booked flights the seats do inevitably get used.