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

 

[Happy Trails]

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 ...

Here they are from EF, only 9 unallocated PE seats according to the plan:

J9 C9 D6 I0 W9 R8 T2 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9L6 V7 S6 N4 Q1 G0 E0

 

[serfty]

...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?

Happens frequently.

As indicated via the links in post #1, Airline can vary availability through their GDS's via several means, icluding Agent. They can make more seats available from Qantas.com than other may access. Such has been observed many times.

 

[wafliron]

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.

Did you try asking for a J award seat to be released, not just Y+ award seat (assuming you're happy to pay the points required for J, of course)? Might also be worth trying a couple more times for the seat release over the next few days, as I'd guess they might be more willing to do it closer to departure date if the plane doesn't continue to fill up.

Also, did you ask the premium desk if they'd make a special exception to let you join the upgrade lottery (as they sometimes do on non-upgradeable fares)? I don't know if they can / would, but it might be worth asking given you have a medical reason for wanting the upgrade.

 

[Katie]

Did you try asking for a J award seat to be released, not just Y+ award seat (assuming you're happy to pay the points required for J, of course)? Might also be worth trying a couple more times for the seat release over the next few days, as I'd guess they might be more willing to do it closer to departure date if the plane doesn't continue to fill up.

Also, did you ask the premium desk if they'd make a special exception to let you join the upgrade lottery (as they sometimes do on non-upgradeable fares)? I don't know if they can / would, but it might be worth asking given you have a medical reason for wanting the upgrade.

Yes, I asked for Y+ or J. The person I spoke to yesterday suggested that I try again on Friday.

I didn't try to ask for a special exception to get on the upgrade lottery. When I first said that I couldn't request an upgrade online, the customer service agent immediately said it was due to the fare type & that it couldn't be upgraded. I might try calling again and seeing if I can sweet talk someone. I am not very good at sweet talking.

 

[Danger]

Here they are from EF, only 9 unallocated PE seats according to the plan:

J9 C9 D6 I0 W9 R8 T2 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9L6 V7 S6 N4 Q1 G0 E0

Note it's not necessarily nine unallocated but at least nine unallocated. In fact, nine suggests plenty of availability.

Qantas only ever shows a maximum of nine available seats. All airlines have their own maximums they'll display (like seven or four).

 

[Happy Trails]

Note it's not necessarily nine unallocated but at least nine unallocated. In fact, nine suggests plenty of availability.

Qantas only ever shows a maximum of nine available seats. All airlines have their own maximums they'll display (like seven or four).

Yes understood, but I was referring to the seating plan which can also give an indication of remaining capacity.

 

[Danger]

Yes understood, but I was referring to the seating plan which can also give an indication of remaining capacity.

Fair point.

 

[serfty]

Note it's not necessarily nine unallocated but at least nine unallocated. In fact, nine suggests plenty of availability....

While W9 means they are willing to sell nine seats at PE Prices, it does not mean necesarrily there are plenty of seat.

You need to look at the discount fare buckets - T2 is more important for this than W9 and this close to the flight indicates to me they have some unsold PE seats.

I think a WP on this flight has a reasonable chance for an upgrade (D6 / T2). Note that for Business, I availability would be more promising.

 

[Ansett]

Hi Everyone

I presume its a tad early but any idea how loads are looking on QF35 on 17May and also QF9 on the 23rd May?

Many thanks

 

[dolfie2]

Re: update on QF93 on 12 sept

Hi All
Looked at flight stats website and it shows J0,C9,D0,I0 and zero coach.(DRW to BNE 3rd of May)

I've booked a flexi saver ticket in Y.

What are the chances for an OP,UP or can I request an upgrade ?

Cheers
dolfie2

 

[Katie]

I think a WP on this flight has a reasonable chance for an upgrade (D6 / T2). Note that for Business, I availability would be more promising.

Will let you know how I fare (sic) . Bit the bullet and paid to get the ticket to S fare bucket today. UG to J with fallback to Y requested within one minute of ticketing. Give or take.

 

[scaredeycat]

Re: y+ to J

I have scaredeykittens major and minor booked into Y+ on QF9 leaving on a Saturday in June. One is WP, the other SG. I requested an upgrade to J for them at the time of booking (about 4 months ago). Anyone care to speculate on the chances of the request being successful?

 

[Newk]

Re: y+ to J

Put the exact date in and someone (including me if I can overcome the Qantas bubbly induced haze) can look on expert flyer or equivalent.

 

[scaredeycat]

Re: y+ to J

Saturday, June 29th. Thanks!

 

[daturtle]

Re: y+ to J

While you're there can you check QF11 8/10/13, and QF108 and QF16 on 27/10/13 please ?

 

[OATEK]

Re: y+ to J

Saturday, June 29th. Thanks!

QF9 shows about 11 J seats free and 3 blocked - so not out of the question I would think.

 

[Newk]

Re: y+ to J

QF9 June 29. Lots of room in first and economy. Business and premium economy fairly full.
As a WP I have been upgraded in these circumstances. But I wouldn't count in it.

 

[scaredeycat]

Re: y+ to J

Fingers (?claws) crossed!

 

[Ansett]

Re: y+ to J

Can anyone tell me loadings and probability of upgrade QF35 on 17 May and also QF9 on 23rd may please?

 

[JohnM]

Re: y+ to J

Can anyone tell me loadings and probability of upgrade QF35 on 17 May and also QF9 on 23rd may please?

QF35 17 May: J, C, D, I - all 9

QF 9 23 May: F, A - 6; J9, C9, D8, I0.