Yes, the old system was better, but I suspect this issue is an availability issue connected with point of journey origin. The website is showing availability according to less strict rules but the base availability has been reprogrammed differently to the website. I am considering making a complaint to the UK regulator as they are offering travel for sale but then not allowing completion of the booking.

I called reservations and they told me the flight I wanted was sold out. When I asked them to remove the first sector and look again they were themselves surprised, not only that availability returned but even in lower booking classes.

OTA’s all show the availability but when making the booking come back with a “your flight is no longer available” message or similar depending on the website.

I got around it by booking a simple LHR-MUC-LHR return and nesting a MUC-FAO-MUC return. I will use the return sector of both tickets in the future. Interestingly, it also saved me money so I’m happy that Lufthansa’s over-complication and possible website error rebounded on them. Greed seems to be taking over at LHG. After abandoning BA it’s starting to feel like it’s just as bad wherever we go.