Genouver

I may need to change the last leg of a flight on a C1-C2 J class flight reward with AP. Right now, that leg is booked on a lie-flat. The alternate date/time of the last leg is flexible, roughly between Sunday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 22. The problem is I have a really bad lower back and sitting in Y for five-ish hours is not only painful but risky in terms of re-injury.

I have access to Expert Flyer. If anyone could give me some advice on how to choose the flight with the greatest chance of ending up with a lie-flat in J on either the 777 or 787, that would be greatly appreciated - for example, I'm guessing Wednesday evenings aren't as booked as Sunday night or Monday morning...?

I have no preference in terms of day or time, though avoiding a red-eye would be preferable. Feel free to PM if you prefer.

Thanks in advance.

lcohen999

The only 100% chance is a tag on domestic/international flight like 33

So if you want 100%, I would go with that. Even if they sub it down, they usually swap it to a 763

Genouver

Thanks. If you mean YVR-SYD, I don't have enough points to tack that on. I should clarify I'm not looking for a 100% guarantee of lie-flat, but how to optimize my chances of getting one. I'm guessing some of those wide-body flights are consistently carrying fewer people in J -- I'm just not sure how to confirm that information.

Can a person access historical loads for a given flight at a given time of year?

lcohen999

AC33 starts in YYZ and is a domestic YYZ-YVR flight before it goes to SYD

tkyoshi

This is prob your best chance, however it's generally a more challenging route to get upgraded let alone Aeroplan redemption on. There's usually a 777 flight in the morning from YYZ as well.

Nitehawk

Lately 33/34 have had lots of room in J when I've been flying. I took one a week ago and J went out half empty.

Now 788/789 never have room in J... At least not for R upgrades. If you want 788/789 J it seems you have to buy it or, at least latitude.

YOWgary

Sent the Mrs. YYZ-YVR in J on a 788, on aeroplan, just last week.

tracon

There are two morning wide bodies. Both these continue to Asia.
103 & 153.
That week 103 is a 789 and 153 is the slave ship.
24J & 36J. Both with a PY cabin.

Shareholder

Booked AC149 (788) as a J award for mid-November just two week's ago. Award space can still be found on widebody transcons. Upgrades may be harder to come by close to flight date.

Genouver

Thanks to all the replies, particularly the suggestion of aiming for the domestic segment of an international flight. I'm still wondering, however, if there's a day of the week or time of the day that's less likely to be full (weekend vs weekday, am/pm/red eye, etc). Any advice on that point is much appreciated. I will likely have to book in Y and hope a J seat is available when I fly.

Nitehawk

Unless your ticket is originating somewhere else (so you're charged J miles) you can't just upgrade an AE award to grab an empty J seat at the airport. You can book Y and monitor the I bucket though and if anything opens up before your departure and call AE to upgrade it.