Originally Posted by
N227UA
Not funny nor mysterious at all. F class is surely sold on BKK-ICN. Go check out this
http://www.koreanair.com/local/kr/ld..._bo_krifr2.jsp to see if F class actually sold or not on BKK-ICN. Certainly there should a booking engine that can sell F, and I guess the engine is Topas.
The most likely answer for this problem is: KE is purposefully not releasing F class on any CRS/GDS but on its own CRS, Topas. The reason for doing this is to encourage travel agencies to use KE's CRS. Suppose a travel agency get a customer who wants BKK-ICN in F. Since no CRS/GDS, but only Topas can book and issue F on BKK-ICN, the agency would subscribe Topas even for just one ticket because agency commission for F is good enough to offset the subscription fee. Since Topas is based on Amadeus, those of you who have access to Amadeus might want to query KE BKK-ICN to see if F is available.
The second most likely answer is: You queried the availability in neutral mode, as opposed to airline direct access mode, on CRS. For instance, try A10AUGBKKICN
*KE entry on Galileo, instead of A10AUGBKKICN
/KE or A10AUGBKKICN. I understand that sometimes not all booking codes are shown unless you use airline direct access mode.
I appreciate your input---several of us here have been wondering about this. But still, I can't think of any other "mainstream" airlines that don't even offer a class of service--it doesn't even exist on ITA or several Availability Tools--so while I understand what they're trying to do, it does seem odd to me. But thanks for the info--it might kinda clear up the confusion here (and in the other thread about C/F that opened recently!
Now, here is the other thing--it's my "theory":
I think I may have figured out what happens on the intra-Asia flights on 773s with and F section and "F" for sale, albeit not everywhere:
If KE sells even ONE F ticket on the route, there is an F section with F service, and unless Y/C is oversold, it's not available for upgrade to Rows 1-2 from J.
If KE sells no F for the flight, and still has lots of open seats in Y/J, they may not open Rows 1-2, closing it off and turning out the lights, for staffing/other reasons.
If KE sells no F for the flight, and Y/J is oversold or really full, they may open Rows 1-2 for use by J pax with J service.
When I check in next week with KE for this flight, I will try to seek out the BKK Station manager to find out for sure.