Originally Posted by
Bcifu
ok I am also new to expertflyer and was able to find that’s after going to normal availability in the desktop site. Thanks
given that there’s nine seats of availability in each class from that, I might just stick with what I have since I doubt swapping to business would change my chances. Hopefully LH will take whatever they get 🤷♂️
The number 9 indicates "at least 9". Back when these systems were designed (50+ years ago) computer displays were all text based. A single character was set aside for number of available seats. On most airlines it will fill with number from 0-9 and if the number is less than 9, then that is the actual number of seats they have remaining to sell (which may be higher than actual number of available seats, if their algorithm will permit overselling). If the number is 9, then there could be 9 seats, or 99 seats, available for sale.
Now some airlines set their maximum to a lower number... 7 being common for some reason... you can tell this is the case if all (or almost all) class-of-service code shows 7 rather than 9 for a flight some long time in the future. And of course if the cabin has fewer seats (e.g. first class may have maximum of 6 or 8 seats) then it is a very accurate indicator of number available.
DAK