I’m trying to book two business class seats from Seoul to Hanoi next January. For months, there’s been availability on nonstop flights all through this year, but nothing after 12/31. I check at least a few times a week, but aside from an evening flight with a stopover in TPE, there’s been nothing. THEN on Thursday, voila there are three nonstops on Korean Air for the date I want. I select the flight, enter all pertinent information, select seats, hit complete purchase, and then I’m brought back to the booking page, saying the flight sold out while booking. EXCEPT the booking page still shows availability of four seats. I wait an hour, and try again. Same thing happens. Then early in the morning Atlanta time, I try again and it happens again. I’m in Hawaii, so I head to bed. When I awake all three flights have disappeared. Anyone have an inkling as to what’s going on?
Some airlines have issue for false inventory showing up.. When OAL goes to confirm they communicate directly with the airline who booking on. At that point the airline tells booking airline can't confirm (no actual space).
There's also issue of KE having what aren't officially, but function basically as blackout dates for OAL. On these dates the only way to book is using KE miles and paying extra over the standard rate.
Common issue with certain airlines.