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

 

[ferni]

Depends on cabin...

QF2 16/04 - F/5 A/4 P/0 J/9 C/9 D/9 I/8 U/0 W/9 R/9 T/0 Z/3 Y/9 B/9 H/9 K/9 M/9 L/9 V/0 S/9 N/9 Q/9 O/9 G/0 X/9 E/0
QF2 17/04 - F/6 A/6 P/0 J/9 C/9 D/5 I/0 U/0 W/9 R/5 T/2 Z/0 Y/9 B/9 H/9 K/9 M/9 L/9 V/0 S/9 N/9 Q/9 O/9 G/0 X/9 E/0
QF2 18/04 - F/3 A/2 P/0 J/3 C/0 D/0 I/0 U/0 W/9 R/5 T/2 Z/0 Y/9 B/9 H/9 K/9 M/9 L/9 V/0 S/9 N/9 Q/9 O/9 G/0 X/9 E/0

 

[Katie]

Can anyone tell me what QF52 is looking like tonight? At T-3.5 it seems Y is pretty darn full.

 

[Lowjhg]

Can anyone tell me what QF52 is looking like tonight? At T-3.5 it seems Y is pretty darn full.

J9 C9 D5 I2 W3 R3 T3 Y1 B1 H1 K1 M1L1 S1 Q1 O1 G0 E0

 

[Milboo]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can help with loadings for the following flights:

SYD - AUH 15 May 2013 VA 7451 (operated by EY)
AUH - LHR 17 May 2013 VA 7017 (EY)

CDG - AUH 25 May 2013 VA 7032 (EY)
AUH - SYD 25 May 2013 VA 7454 (EY)

Outbound are ticketed in T and inbound in Q.

Wondering about likelihood of an upgrade based on FF status.

Thanks!!

Can anyone help?

 

[Katie]

J9 C9 D5 I2 W3 R3 T3 Y1 B1 H1 K1 M1L1 S1 Q1 O1 G0 E0

Thanks we are on non-upgradeable Y. The lounge staff have managed to move us to the three window seats (someone had the audacity to select *my* WP shadow as a seat!!!!)

 

[cove]

If you fear a long haul in Economy you should start with a Premium Economy seat to have a good chance to get an upgrade to Business.

 

[Katie]

If you fear a long haul in Economy you should start with a Premium Economy seat to have a good chance to get an upgrade to Business.

I know. But Y+ can be harder for a wee person to sleep as you can't raise the armrests.
But we were moved to Y+ last night by the CSM. The lady in front of me upgraded from Y to Y+ for $400. I would have possibly thought of that if we'd been offered it. Does the SATS checkin area normally make such offers? There were about 4-5 spare seats in Y last night, about 15 in Y+ before we moved, and not sure about J.

 

[Davidjseidel]

I know. But Y+ can be harder for a wee person to sleep as you can't raise the armrests.
But we were moved to Y+ last night by the CSM. The lady in front of me upgraded from Y to Y+ for $400. I would have possibly thought of that if we'd been offered it. Does the SATS checkin area normally make such offers? There were about 4-5 spare seats in Y last night, about 15 in Y+ before we moved, and not sure about J.

One wonders then, do you ask if any paid upgrades are possible? Or do they just offer that to some lucky person at the right place right time?!
and if its not uncool to ask do you do it at checkin or later point?

 

[ADLhighflyer]

I'm on QF29 tomorrow 15/4. Wondering what the chances of an upgrade were (or best case a free seat next to me in Economy)

Many thanks.

 

[legroom]

I'm on QF29 tomorrow 15/4. Wondering what the chances of an upgrade were (or best case a free seat next to me in Economy)

Many thanks.

J is full (except 3K). There are 2 blocked seats (? for CL / P1 shadow)

A B E F J K
1 - - - - X -
2 - - - - - -
3 - - X - - +
4 - - - - - -
5 - - - - - -
A B E F J K

Good luck

 

[ADLhighflyer]

J is full (except 3K). There are 2 blocked seats (? for CL / P1 shadow)

A B E F J K
1 - - - - X -
2 - - - - - -
3 - - X - - +
4 - - - - - -
5 - - - - - -
A B E F J K

Good luck

Thanks heaps legroom - will see how I go in the morning.

 

[serfty]

I'm on QF29 tomorrow 15/4. Wondering what the chances of an upgrade were (or best case a free seat next to me in Economy)

Many thanks.

Seat maps can or can not be a good guide - fare bucket loadings can give a better indication.Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Flight Availability Search
Departing MEL on 15/04/13 12:00 AM for HKG
Flying QF  


                                                                     Frequency
Flight        Stops  Depart             Arrive             Aircraft  Reliability   
0 Connections
QF 29         0      MEL                HKG                333       Unavailable     
                     15/04/13 9:35 AM   15/04/13 5:10 PM             52% / 35m

Available Classes

J0 C0 D0 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 G0 E0

J0? - if not already upgraded, I'd say chances would be slim - even for a WP.

 

[legroom]

Seat maps can or can not be a good guide - fare bucket loadings can give a better indication.Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Flight Availability Search
Departing MEL on 15/04/13 12:00 AM for HKG
Flying QF  


                                                                     Frequency
Flight        Stops  Depart             Arrive             Aircraft  Reliability   
0 Connections
QF 29         0      MEL                HKG                333       Unavailable     
                     15/04/13 9:35 AM   15/04/13 5:10 PM             52% / 35m

Available Classes

J0 C0 D0 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 G0 E0

J0? - if not already upgraded, I'd say chances would be slim - even for a WP.

Apologies if off topic

Prof Serfty

Where in EF should I be looking for 'fare bucket loading'?

Thank you in advance


EDIT: I got it now - Flight Availability !

 

[serfty]

...

EDIT: I got it now - Flight Availability !

Also see post #1 for a link on "Enderstanding Expertflyer [fare buckets]".

 

[Davidjseidel]

I,ve been trying to understand this loadings business but having looked before and thought a flight lightly booked I have often arrived to a full flight.
when i see a read out like this

QF 2	1	LHR 04/17/13 9:30 PM	SYD 04/19/13 5:10 AM	388	Unavailable NA / NA	F2 A2 P0 J9 C9 D6 I0 W9 R8 T1 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E0

I believe it shows good availablity of Economy seats? Just hesitating as I don't mind being on a long flight in economy if lightly booked but only alternative is to spring for Y+ thats prem economy right?
The other thing is looking at the seating availablity I notice on expertflyer that almost the whole plane is blocked seats, even lots in higher classes as well. I understand it means the seats are not booked but are blocked by airline for some reason which wecan't be sure of! What will I find if I do book in Economy? Will those blocked seats actuallymostly be available to prebook?

 

[ferni]

I,ve been trying to understand this loadings business but having looked before and thought a flight lightly booked I have often arrived to a full flight.
when i see a read out like this

QF 2	1	LHR 04/17/13 9:30 PM	SYD 04/19/13 5:10 AM	388	Unavailable NA / NA	F2 A2 P0 J9 C9 D6 I0 W9 R8 T1 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E0

I believe it shows good availablity of Economy seats? Just hesitating as I don't mind being on a long flight in economy if lightly booked but only alternative is to spring for Y+ thats prem economy right?
The other thing is looking at the seating availablity I notice on expertflyer that almost the whole plane is blocked seats, even lots in higher classes as well. I understand it means the seats are not booked but are blocked by airline for some reason which wecan't be sure of! What will I find if I do book in Economy? Will those blocked seats actuallymostly be available to prebook?

The Y9-Q9/X9 shows that they are willing to sell 9 or more (usually more as 9 is the max QF show) seats in those buckets (which are economy buckets). I'd say the flight isn't too busy in Econ based on this... but for all we know there are only 9 econ seats left which means it could be nearly full ....

Seating will be blocked if you are a low status FF... Usually Bronze has lots of blocked seats, Silver a bit less, Gold a bit less, Plat a bit less again etc.... Of course they can be blocked for other reasons, but if you're seeing large chunks of seats blocked it's probably because you're not SG/WP etc...

 

[ferni]

I'm on in Econ on QF11 tomorrow... Loadings look interesting, probably the closest I'll get at a chance of an OpUp...but not holding my breath... QF site will only let me book 2 seats in Econ on QF11 for tomorrow which is interesting as this is reporting Y3....

F/3 A/1 J/9 C/9 D/9 I/9 W/9 R/8 T/8 Y/3 B/2 H/2 K/2 M/2 L/0 V/2 S/2 G/0 E/0

 

[GoTheCats]

I am travelling on QF129 on 21/4/13. Can some once pl help check the business loading? I am only gold and not sure how full the flight is

 

[Stoopidsteve]

I don't have paid EF subscription but had a look at : Flight Availability By Route. Is this usually accurate?

For 11th May QF9 (Mel-LHR): a dummy booking on QF site allows at least 9 O class seats, or 3 R class to be booked, but I'm curious because FlightStats site says. J/0 C/0 D/0 I/0 U/0 W/0 R/0 T/0 Z/0 Y/9 B/9 H/9 K/9 M/9 L/9 V/0 S/0 N/0 Q/0 O/0 G/0 X/0 E/0

Is this normal for QF to offer sale fares on their own site that they don't let such sites as EF and FlightStats to see? Or how much can FlightStats be trusted?

 

[Katie]

Can someone tell me current loadings for QF15 on Sun 5/5?
i have an un-upgradeable Y fare :shock: And am contemplating paying to upgrade it to a higher fare class to enter the points UG lottery. It will cost ~$1600 (base fare was $477 +$1k in taxes/surcharges/fees - paid for by work (for once, yay!)) to get to an upgradeable level of Y rtn, $4k to Y+. But I could spend that, and still end up in Y. Am returning on 16/5 on QF16.

I've hurt a disc in my back and while I have 43K selected (H & J currently showing as empty on QF, but I do not expect that to stay that way by Sunday), I'm trying to find ways to get a more comfy seat without spending $4k for guaranteed Y+. But spending that is the only way to guarantee a better seat.
I have points, tried getting a classic award released today, but it wasn't possible.

I'm OK to travel, I think, and I'm guessing that a note from my doctor or similar will be almost as useful as a note from Little Miss 6 ...