C Class availability question
Apr 17, 2002 | 9:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,517
C Class availability question
Hi everyone,
I am looking at a CDG-YUL round trip on June 6th, return on the 30th.
Looking on ITN for flight 871 CDG-YUL on an A330, I see the following:
J9 C1 Y9 M9 B9 H9 V6 Q0 L0
My other choice that day is AC865, which is usually a ratty old 767 doesn't even have J!
Y9 M9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L0
How can C class be at 1 when even the mighty SE's can only use certs one week before. What am I missing?
I am looking at a CDG-YUL round trip on June 6th, return on the 30th.
Looking on ITN for flight 871 CDG-YUL on an A330, I see the following:
J9 C1 Y9 M9 B9 H9 V6 Q0 L0
My other choice that day is AC865, which is usually a ratty old 767 doesn't even have J!
Y9 M9 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L0
How can C class be at 1 when even the mighty SE's can only use certs one week before. What am I missing?
Apr 17, 2002 | 9:31 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OGG, YYC, YYZ
Programs: AC
Posts: 3,710
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by newbie elite:
How can C class be at 1 when even the mighty SE's can only use certs one week before</font>
How can C class be at 1 when even the mighty SE's can only use certs one week before</font>
Apr 17, 2002 | 9:56 am
#5
Original Poster
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,517
I guess AC management in Paris will be taking up C inventory to go watch Formula 1 that weekend?
I know that I shouldn't worry about C inventory until 72 hours before I leave, I was just trying to understand how it works. Plus, I am not so sure it is a good idea to try the lottery on the eve of the aforementionned F1 Grand Prix in Montreal. I don't want to be stuck with an 1400 Y class ticket.
I know that I shouldn't worry about C inventory until 72 hours before I leave, I was just trying to understand how it works. Plus, I am not so sure it is a good idea to try the lottery on the eve of the aforementionned F1 Grand Prix in Montreal. I don't want to be stuck with an 1400 Y class ticket.
Apr 17, 2002 | 10:03 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OGG, YYC, YYZ
Programs: AC
Posts: 3,710
Unfortunately, that's just the nature of the lottery. I wonder why they bothered changing the upgrade window. Effectively, they can reduce the window just by zeroing C inventory until just before the flight. That seems to be what they're doing.
Apr 17, 2002 | 10:19 am
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,779
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by StuMcIlwain:
AC is planning to operate a 767-200 with no international J and the "enhanced" premium Y cabin to Paris this summer??? That's going to create some happy customers.</font>
AC is planning to operate a 767-200 with no international J and the "enhanced" premium Y cabin to Paris this summer??? That's going to create some happy customers.</font>
Apr 17, 2002 | 10:23 am
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,779
... but it seems AC885 is only operated that one day, perhaps as to add extra capacity for the Formula 1 in YUL as mentioned. I guess they don't expect any more J pax than usual, or they don't have any extra SJ equiped aircraft.
I don't see a problem with this. At least they aren't selling it as SJ and then on day of departure seating SJ pax in domestic J with a $100 MCO. It makes sense IMO.
I don't see a problem with this. At least they aren't selling it as SJ and then on day of departure seating SJ pax in domestic J with a $100 MCO. It makes sense IMO.
Apr 17, 2002 | 10:50 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,233
The trouble with mixing the fleet like this is many people never look at a schedule and have no idea how AC's planes are configured. Someone who is stuck in the domestic premium Y cabin for 7 hours will think that all AC seats are that close together and will fly Air France next time. A SE who cannot upgrade will defect to another airline. Things like this should matter. If AC advertises a certain product, it should be available on all flights all the time. If they can't offer it, they shouldn't operate the flight. Reputation is a big thing on routes where there is competition.
Apr 17, 2002 | 10:55 am
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,779
True Stu, I didn't think through all the possible implications. I suppose someone who's meeting ends late in Paris may look at the sked, think there is a full service flight as AC885, and head to CDG only to find out that his/her full-fare Executive First seat will be economy that day.
I totally agree with you, now in hindsight.
I totally agree with you, now in hindsight.
Apr 17, 2002 | 11:34 am
#11
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,224
There are so many reasons why those C class seats are gone before the upgrade window. Such as those 2-for-1 coupons, RTW tickets...
You want a true lottery, try the HKG route.
P.S. Since you are buying a full fare ticket, why are you even buying it this early and worrying about C class?
You want a true lottery, try the HKG route.
P.S. Since you are buying a full fare ticket, why are you even buying it this early and worrying about C class?
Apr 17, 2002 | 2:04 pm
#12
Original Poster
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,517
Empress, I haven`t bought it yet, I am just considering my options.
Since that weekend is Grand Prix Weekend in Montreal, and I am flying from Europe I have to make a decision quite soon if I still want to find a cheap ticket to YUL that weekend.
The decision is buy a cheap ticket now on any airline (preferably on United because I get E+) or wait till the last minute to try the Lotto.
Well at least it makes life exciting! :-)
Since that weekend is Grand Prix Weekend in Montreal, and I am flying from Europe I have to make a decision quite soon if I still want to find a cheap ticket to YUL that weekend.
The decision is buy a cheap ticket now on any airline (preferably on United because I get E+) or wait till the last minute to try the Lotto.
Well at least it makes life exciting! :-)
Apr 17, 2002 | 2:26 pm
#14
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 8,573
I think newbie elite is considering either buying a Q fare now (and abandon hopes of upgrading, or fly UA on a cheap seat in E+), or wait until the last minute and buy a Y seat and upgrade.
If this is in fact F1 weekend in Montreal, and AC has gone so far as to put on an extra "Super Economy" plane for the day, I think it's pretty much guaranteed the real J cabin will be filled with paying customers? I would think chances of an upgrade are pretty slim. [Certainly not enough to risk the lotto on a direct trans-Atlantic flight into Montreal!!]
andrew
[This message has been edited by Andrew Webber (edited 04-17-2002).]
If this is in fact F1 weekend in Montreal, and AC has gone so far as to put on an extra "Super Economy" plane for the day, I think it's pretty much guaranteed the real J cabin will be filled with paying customers? I would think chances of an upgrade are pretty slim. [Certainly not enough to risk the lotto on a direct trans-Atlantic flight into Montreal!!]
andrew
[This message has been edited by Andrew Webber (edited 04-17-2002).]
Apr 17, 2002 | 2:37 pm
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YVR: AC SuperElite
Posts: 422
No need to play the lottery if you are happy to fly with AC. Buy a Q now, 3 days out if there is upgrade space, turn your Q into a Y. No change fees or anything when going to a full Y. You still have to worry about the return, but that is a different question.
I assume they are keeping C at 0 or 1 as they expect the flight to be oversold. This is usually the case on this route I think in summer. I am flying YUL - CDG in May in J, only showing a couple of unallocated seats in the J cabin now, and Y looks full.
I assume they are keeping C at 0 or 1 as they expect the flight to be oversold. This is usually the case on this route I think in summer. I am flying YUL - CDG in May in J, only showing a couple of unallocated seats in the J cabin now, and Y looks full.