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

 

[LACE]

My dad is flying on QF 28 on 26/03 currently in economy (S). He's looking to upgrade to PE as he doesn't have enough points to upgrade to J. I want to transfer him some of my points as a present. Does anyone know the availability of business seats and if theres any chance of a points upgrade being successful?

 

[KVS]

My dad is flying on QF 28 on 26/03 currently in economy (S). He's looking to upgrade to PE as he doesn't have enough points to upgrade to J. I want to transfer him some of my points as a present. Does anyone know the availability of business seats and if theres any chance of a points upgrade being successful?

Your chances do not currently look good:

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.5/Diamond - Availability/FS/US]

SCL  Santiago De Chile Arturo Merino Benitez CL [SCEL]
SYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith NS AU [YSSY]
WED  26 Mar 2014

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  --------------------------------------------------------------------
[B][COLOR="#FF0000"]QF         28      SCL   13:35     SYD   17:35 +1  744      J9 C9 D0 I0 U0 W5 R3 T1 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q4 O2 G0 X0 E0[/COLOR][/B]
LA/QF      807     SCL   13:35     SYD   17:35 +1  744      J7 D7 I7 R0 Y7 B7 H7 K7 M7 L7 V7 S7 N0 Q0 O0 X0 E0
LA         801     SCL   23:20     SYD   07:40 +2  343      J7 D7 I5 R0 Y7 B7 H7 K5 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0
QF/LA      322     SCL   23:20     SYD   07:40 +2  343      J8 C6 D4 I0 Y9 B9 H7 K6 M4 L3 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 E0

 

[hossein_au]

Your chances do not currently look good:

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.5/Diamond - Availability/FS/US]

SCL  Santiago De Chile Arturo Merino Benitez CL [SCEL]
SYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith NS AU [YSSY]
WED  26 Mar 2014

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  --------------------------------------------------------------------
[B][COLOR=#FF0000]QF         28      SCL   13:35     SYD   17:35 +1  744      J9 C9 D0 I0 U0 W5 R3 T1 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q4 O2 G0 X0 E0[/COLOR][/B]
LA/QF      807     SCL   13:35     SYD   17:35 +1  744      J7 D7 I7 R0 Y7 B7 H7 K7 M7 L7 V7 S7 N0 Q0 O0 X0 E0
LA         801     SCL   23:20     SYD   07:40 +2  343      J7 D7 I5 R0 Y7 B7 H7 K5 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0
QF/LA      322     SCL   23:20     SYD   07:40 +2  343      J8 C6 D4 I0 Y9 B9 H7 K6 M4 L3 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 E0

I am trying to learn how to decipher this; to me it looks like some cheap economy fare buckets are sold out while there are some fare buckets still left, there are five Y+ seats left, and cheap business are sold out. I would have presumed Qantas would/could upgrade some people from Y/Y+ to business, and also upgrade some people from Y to Y+. I would have further presumed there is no chance of operational upgrade, but why wouldn't Qantas upgrade people who are willing to part with their points? I would have thought this would be a very economical way for Qantas to claw back people's points. Can someone elaborate on how someone might come to the collusion that "Your chances do not currently look good"? I am trying to learn the ropes...

 

[Isochronous]

I am trying to learn how to decipher this; to me it looks like some cheap economy fare buckets are sold out while there are some fare buckets still left, there are five Y+ seats left, and cheap business are sold out. I would have presumed Qantas would/could upgrade some people from Y/Y+ to business, and also upgrade some people from Y to Y+. I would have further presumed there is no chance of operational upgrade, but why wouldn't Qantas upgrade people who are willing to part with their points? I would have thought this would be a very economical way for Qantas to claw back people's points. Can someone elaborate on how someone might come to the collusion that "Your chances do not currently look good"? I am trying to learn the ropes...

Does your Dad have any status? Bear in mind that CL, P1, Platinum, Gold, Silver all get priority in having points upgrades processed. Plus, in another two weeks a few more seats might get sold in those premium cabins.

 

[hossein_au]

Does your Dad have any status? Bear in mind that CL, P1, Platinum, Gold, Silver all get priority in having points upgrades processed. Plus, in another two weeks a few more seats might get sold in those premium cabins.

I am not the OP; just curious to learn how to predict point upgrades.

 

[KVS]

I am trying to learn how to decipher this; to me it looks like some cheap economy fare buckets are sold out while there are some fare buckets still left, there are five Y+ seats left, and cheap business are sold out. I would have presumed Qantas would/could upgrade some people from Y/Y+ to business, and also upgrade some people from Y to Y+. I would have further presumed there is no chance of operational upgrade, but why wouldn't Qantas upgrade people who are willing to part with their points? I would have thought this would be a very economical way for Qantas to claw back people's points. Can someone elaborate on how someone might come to the collusion that "Your chances do not currently look good"? I am trying to learn the ropes...

Upgrades would generally fall somewhere between the lowest Regular Booking Class (I) and the Award Booking Class (U), both of which are currently zeroed-out.

Put another way, if QF is not currently even willing to take ~6000 in cash for the D-Class Fare, why would they take points?

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.5/Diamond - Fares/PSH/RU]

SCL  Santiago De Chile Arturo Merino Benitez CL [SCEL]
SYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith NS AU [YSSY]
R/T  01 Apr 2014 | All

Carrier    From    To    Fare      Cur   AdvanceP  Min  Max  Fare Basis | Travel Period
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  ---  --------------------------
QF         SCL     SYD      1053   USD        ***    7   90  OLSALE       13 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      1254   USD        ***    7   90  QLSALE       13 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      1575   USD        ***       360  NLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      1890   USD        ***       360  NLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      2378   USD        ***       360  SLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      2709   USD        ***       360  TLPYSM       13 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      2854   USD        ***       360  SLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      2880   USD        ***       360  VLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3203   USD        ***       360  RLQF         02 Mar-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3281   USD        ***       360  MLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3456   USD        ***       360  VLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3783   USD        ***       360  KLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3823   USD        ***       360  WLQF         02 Mar-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3938   USD        ***       360  MLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      4385   USD        ***       360  IROXCL       15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      4540   USD        ***       360  KLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      4586   USD     5 Days       360  HLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      4687   USD        ***       360  IOXCL        15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      5389   USD     5 Days       360  BLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      5504   USD     5 Days       360  HLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      6202   USD        ***       360  DOX          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      6467   USD     5 Days       360  BLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      7468   USD        ***            YCL          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      8890   USD        ***       360  COX          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      8962   USD        ***            Y            15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     10669   USD        ***       360  COX          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     11371   USD        ***            JCL          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     13645   USD        ***            JX           15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     12519   USD        ***            FCL          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     15024   USD        ***            FX           15 Feb-30 Nov

 

[serfty]

I am not the OP; just curious to learn how to predict point upgrades.

See post #1 of this thread and it's link to "Understanding Expert Flyer".

 

[hossein_au]

Upgrades would generally fall somewhere between the lowest Regular Booking Class (I) and the Award Booking Class (U), both of which are currently zeroed-out.

Put another way, if QF is not currently even willing to take ~6000 in cash for the D-Class Fare, why would they take points?

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.5/Diamond - Fares/PSH/RU]

SCL  Santiago De Chile Arturo Merino Benitez CL [SCEL]
SYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith NS AU [YSSY]
R/T  01 Apr 2014 | All

Carrier    From    To    Fare      Cur   AdvanceP  Min  Max  Fare Basis | Travel Period
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  ---  --------------------------
QF         SCL     SYD      1053   USD        ***    7   90  OLSALE       13 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      1254   USD        ***    7   90  QLSALE       13 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      1575   USD        ***       360  NLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      1890   USD        ***       360  NLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      2378   USD        ***       360  SLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      2709   USD        ***       360  TLPYSM       13 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      2854   USD        ***       360  SLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      2880   USD        ***       360  VLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3203   USD        ***       360  RLQF         02 Mar-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3281   USD        ***       360  MLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3456   USD        ***       360  VLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3783   USD        ***       360  KLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3823   USD        ***       360  WLQF         02 Mar-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      3938   USD        ***       360  MLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      4385   USD        ***       360  IROXCL       15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      4540   USD        ***       360  KLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      4586   USD     5 Days       360  HLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      4687   USD        ***       360  IOXCL        15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      5389   USD     5 Days       360  BLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      5504   USD     5 Days       360  HLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      6202   USD        ***       360  DOX          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      6467   USD     5 Days       360  BLQF         15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      7468   USD        ***            YCL          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      8890   USD        ***       360  COX          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD      8962   USD        ***            Y            15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     10669   USD        ***       360  COX          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     11371   USD        ***            JCL          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     13645   USD        ***            JX           15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     12519   USD        ***            FCL          15 Feb-30 Nov
QF         SCL     SYD     15024   USD        ***            FX           15 Feb-30 Nov

Oh OK, that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[hossein_au]

See post #1 of this thread and it's link to "Understanding Expert Flyer".

Thanks Serfty. I understand the fare buckets and EF output format, but I was not sure that given some deep discount economy fare buckets were sold out and there were quite a few W, and many C and J seats available, why wouldn't Qantas upgrade some people from Y to Y+ and from Y/Y+ to business. Given the specific flight mentioned above, I would have thought while there is no chance of operational upgrade, it would be really inexpensive for Qantas to upgrade people and take their QFF points?

KVS explained that upgrades should fall somewhere between I and U, and if there are none left in those fare buckets, there is little chance of upgrades. If this is true, then when one is interested in upgrades, then one should only check out availability in I and U. I hope I have got this right?

 

[LACE]

Thanks everyone for your help. I decided to just bite the bullet and transfer the points. Will let you know if he has any luck with J or Y+. Unfortunately he doesn't have status anymore but will keep my fingers crossed.

Your chances do not currently look good:

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.5/Diamond - Availability/FS/US]

SCL  Santiago De Chile Arturo Merino Benitez CL [SCEL]
SYD  Sydney Kingsford Smith NS AU [YSSY]
WED  26 Mar 2014

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  --------------------------------------------------------------------
[B][COLOR="#FF0000"]QF         28      SCL   13:35     SYD   17:35 +1  744      J9 C9 D0 I0 U0 W5 R3 T1 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q4 O2 G0 X0 E0[/COLOR][/B]
LA/QF      807     SCL   13:35     SYD   17:35 +1  744      J7 D7 I7 R0 Y7 B7 H7 K7 M7 L7 V7 S7 N0 Q0 O0 X0 E0
LA         801     SCL   23:20     SYD   07:40 +2  343      J7 D7 I5 R0 Y7 B7 H7 K5 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0
QF/LA      322     SCL   23:20     SYD   07:40 +2  343      J8 C6 D4 I0 Y9 B9 H7 K6 M4 L3 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 E0

 

[serfty]

...

KVS explained that upgrades should fall somewhere between I and U, and if there are none left in those fare buckets, there is little chance of upgrades. If this is true, then when one is interested in upgrades, then one should only check out availability in I and U. I hope I have got this right?[/FONT]

Sure, the more discount fare bucket availability you see, the greater the chances of an upgrade on points.

However, that's more a rule of thumb and the unexpected can happen - SWMBO and I scored an upgrade SYD-JFK some years ago when the loadings were J2 D0 C0 I0 ...

 

[Ansett]

Good Afternoon all

Can anyone kindly advise the loadings on VA4153 MEL DPS on the 16th

Many thanks

 

[KVS]

Can anyone kindly advise the loadings on VA4153 MEL DPS on the 16th

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.5/Diamond - Availability/FS/US]

MEL  Melbourne Metro / Tullamarine VI AU = MEL AVV [YMML]
DPS  Bali Denpasar Ngurah Rai Intl ID [WADD]
SUN  16 Mar 2014

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -----------------------------------------
VA         4153    MEL   09:20     DPS   12:25     73H      J4 C4 D0 I0 Y7 B7 H7 K7 L7 E7 N7 V7 Q7 T0
GA         719     MEL   09:50     DPS   12:50     333      J9 C9 D9 Y9 B9 M9 K9 N9 Q9 T9 V7 S7

 

[JohnM]

Good Afternoon all

Can anyone kindly advise the loadings on VA4153 MEL DPS on the 16th

Many thanks

Results from ExpertFlyer.com


Flight Availability Search
Departing MEL on 16/03/14 0:00 for DPS
Flying VA




Frequency
Flight Stops Depart Arrive Aircraft Reliability Available Classes
0 Connections
VA 4153 0 MEL DPS 73H Daily J4 C4 D0 I0 Y7 B7 H7 K7 L7 E7 N7 V7 Q7 T0
16/03/14 9:20 16/03/14 12:25 68% / 16m

 

[Sdtravel]

Hi
Can anyone comment on the general probability of getting upgrades on weekends?
I have a flight from SYD to JFK on QF107 in early June.
Put in a request from Y+ to J.
I have seen the loadings on expertflyer so know what seats look like and current availability.

Just interested to know what everyones general experience with getting upgrades on a major US routes such as this on the weekend.
Looking at the loadings for this weekend there are 3 J seats left, looking at the following there are 0 and looks to be a sold out bird with only a few seats in Y. So doubt anyone is getting upgrades on these. Or are seats held back for upgrades (doubt it, wishful thinking)
Im a NB.

 

[suparockin]

Hi guys,

Booked on QF24 SYD to BKK on Wednesday, can someone advise on the likely hood of me nabbing an upgrade to Business from Economy, I'm WP.

Thanks.

 

[defurax]

Hi guys,

Booked on QF24 SYD to BKK on Wednesday, can someone advise on the likely hood of me nabbing an upgrade to Business from Economy, I'm WP.

Thanks.

I imagine you mean QF23 SYD-BKK? No J available: J0 C0 D0 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L0 V9 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0

But if you are in fact looking at QF24 BKK-SYD, then it looks like you will get your upgrade: J9 C9 D9 I5 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q0 O0 G0 X9 E0

 

[suparockin]

I imagine you mean QF23 SYD-BKK? No J available: J0 C0 D0 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L0 V9 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0

But if you are in fact looking at QF24 BKK-SYD, then it looks like you will get your upgrade: J9 C9 D9 I5 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q0 O0 G0 X9 E0

QF23 sadly.

 

[serfty]

Hi
Can anyone comment on the general probability of getting upgrades on weekends?
...

I have not really noticed any specific trends but have seen that on pacific routes there is generally less award availability created at 353 days on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays.

That may be indicative.

 

[OATEK]

QF23 sadly.

it seams a general rule of thumb that if no J to sell, then upgrades are not looking good. But the seat map shows 10 seats blocked, and the rest allocated, so there may be a glimmer of hope for some upgrades, given all J passengers can pick their seats in advance of online checkin.