Back in February, when Rupert appeared on Flyertalk, there were the questions of managing C class. Instead of showing J9 C9, manage C class by showing just a few seats available. Rupert had indicated that because of system limitations they could not manage it.

This past Tuesday I flew from YYZ to FRA. J was wide open and we pushed off the gate with 15 open seats in J. I was the only person in the 5th row and no one was behind me in row 6 (A330). Day of travel, the flight showed C9. Next week I'm flying from TPE to YVR. I was originally booked on UA (TPE UA SFO UA YVR). C class has been going from C5 (2 weeks ago) to bouncing between C0 and C2 about 3 times in the past week. But I did get C class on the AC flight and did switch to it.

I was assuming that it is a computer program that is managing C class (i.e. as the back sells, it adjusts C). But the more and more I look at it, the more I think this is not the case and that it is managed by yield managment.

And if this is the truly the case the C class is managed by someone, then C class can be managed to allow for a small number available for upgrade at time of booking.

On 09AUG I have to fly to CGN (Koln) & HEL (Helsinki). I was thinking of flying from YUL to FRA. There are two flights to FRA that day (aircraft used to go to MEL is redeployed to FRA for Aug & Sep) and both are showing J9 C0 and 9s across the board for the remaining inventory. If it was a computer program managing C class then there should be C class available. When I look at the seat map in PTO..J class is wide open. So...I guess it's UA on that trip.

Just an observation.

Cheers




[This message has been edited by sing-along (edited 07-19-2002).]