FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - ITA Software Matrix Airfare Search Consolidated Information and Help Thread
Old Apr 12, 2015 | 12:28 pm
  #975  
Calchas
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Originally Posted by go_around
Have read various things that give the / f bc=y construction, but have not seen anywhere this combined with specific instructions across different airlines.

I am trying to find the following, what would be the complete syntax?

HKG-HND CX / fc=x
HND-YYZ AC / f bc=y|bc=b|bc=e|bc=h|bc=m|bc=n|bc=o|bc=v
YYZ-NRT AC / f bc=y|bc=b|bc=e|bc=h|bc=m|bc=n|bc=o|bc=v
NRT-HKG CX / fc=x
You are talking of different airlines, but the /f bc=X syntax applies to fares. A single fare issued by one airline can certainly cover different airlines, and it is quite normal for this to happen if there are connections at the remote end.

More importantly, the syntax only applies to the prime booking code of the fare. If the fare's booking code is overridden by the booking code table, then it will still find results under the prime fare.

So /f bc=F will still find you results in Y, if you have a First Class fare that for some reason books into Y on some sectors.

For example consider a trip from LBA-LHR-HND-ITM and back under BA with the final leg in JL, out in First Class (F) back in Premium Economy (W/E/T).



And the results include trips in J, H and Y classes even though I did not ask for them. [Curiously JL111 has J and I think F cabins, so being put in economy (H) is a bit of a slap in the face, but that's what the booking code table requires for the fare in question.]



That's because /f bc=F asked the Matrix to check the prime booking code under the fare(s) covering those sectors, which was certainly F (the first fare was BA F2UKTS). It was just overridden on some sectors.

If you are constructing an itinerary with lots of fares issued by lots of carriers you will run into trouble quickly doing this unless you know how they are going to play with each other.

Perhaps if you have a more specific question I can take a look for you?
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