I was checking the loads on Expertflyer for my flight on 03/26/06 from FRA-PHL at 12:15pm. When I booked this it was a 767 and then it went to a A330. Now, when I try to access the seat maps on ExpertFlyer, it tells me that the seat maps can not be accessed. Expedia was the same way.

Is this usually the indication of an aircraft swap? The flight was pretty full as it was...would US downgrade an aircraft knowing it would have to possibly give more DBC than it would have had to originally?

I was checking the loads on Expertflyer for my flight on 03/26/06 from FRA-PHL at 12:15pm. When I booked this it was a 767 and then it went to a A330. Now, when I try to access the seat maps on ExpertFlyer, it tells me that the seat maps can not be accessed. Expedia was the same way.

Is this usually the indication of an aircraft swap? The flight was pretty full as it was...would US downgrade an aircraft knowing it would have to possibly give more DBC than it would have had to originally?

Although I am not ruling out that an equipment change could happen, the seatmap not being available on expertflyer.com is NOT a tell-tale sign that a swap will occur. I can tell you from numerous personal experiences that, for most transatlantic flights, for whatever reason, the seatmap disappears for a window of time before the flight. This has happened to me several times --- none of which have lead to an equipment change. This is true even if you go to USAirways.com and try to book a ticket or call a reservation agent --- they will all tell you the same thing that the seat map is not available to any of them. I don't know if IM "takes control" of the seatmap for some reason, but this is not at all uncommon. In my experiences, the seatmap disappears anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks before departure and then re-appears anywhere from 1 to 5 days before departure.

Although I am not ruling out that an equipment change could happen, the seatmap not being available on expertflyer.com is NOT a tell-tale sign that a swap will occur. I can tell you from numerous personal experiences that, for most transatlantic flights, for whatever reason, the seatmap disappears for a window of time before the flight. This has happened to me several times --- none of which have lead to an equipment change. This is true even if you go to USAirways.com and try to book a ticket or call a reservation agent --- they will all tell you the same thing that the seat map is not available to any of them. I don't know if IM "takes control" of the seatmap for some reason, but this is not at all uncommon. In my experiences, the seatmap disappears anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks before departure and then re-appears anywhere from 1 to 5 days before departure.


Very interesting PremiumSeat. I guess I learn something new everyday.

When I called the CP Liason last night, she mentioned "a change of aircraft" but if you have experienced this on TA flights, then I have no reason to believe that there will be any downgrade or other problems.

Thanks for the insight!

I don't know why that flight would have ever shown up as a 767 during the winter months, it's always scheduled to be operated with the A330. It's still scheduled on our computer as an airbus for your flight date, so if there's a change of equipment it hasn't been entered into the flight crew data yet. Sometimes in the summer months they will operate 2 flights, with one or both of them being the 767, but that doesn't take place until May. Have a good trip! :)