Jan 1, 2014, 6:10 am
Last edit by: NWIFlyer
If you wish to request availability for a specific flight, please state the date and origin/departure airport codes, not just the flight number.
Please also restrict requests to BA/oneworld flights - flights for other airlines may be removed to avoid cluttering the thread and taking it away from BAEC.
As of 15 Oct 2014 flightstats.com no longer displays flight availability.
Fare class availability can be queried in various ways*:
* Please update wiki if you know of any others.
** Origin of data concealed
What do the codes mean?
Suppose we have a result as F1 A0 J9 C7 D0 RC IC W9 E9 T4 Y9 BC HC ...
This means:
There is 1 seat in the F bucket for sale
There are 0 seats in the A and D bucket for sale, but you can join the waitlist in case seats get released later.
There are at least 9 seats in the J, W, E and Y buckets.
The R, I, B and H buckets are closed to waitlisting.
There are two important things to note about how to interpret these numbers that many people don't understand as it is very counter intuitive:
1) There is NO direct relation to the actual number of seats available on the specific flight. They only mean that the airline is willing to sell this many seats on that specific flight. The airline may intend to oversell seats or withhold seats from sale for many reasons.
2) In the example above, the results show W9 E9 T4 (which are all WT+ buckets). This does not mean that there are 9+9+4=22 seats for sale. Interpret these numbers as "there are at least 9 seats for sale in WT+". There could really be anywhere between 9 and 22 seats for sale - we just can't tell from the numbers the system gives us. Therefore, the conservative approach of assuming that there are at least 9 seats for sale is usually the best one.
What does the "C" mean?
Closed to waitlisting.
In the example above we have RC, IC, BC and HC. This is different to A0 and D0: The A and D buckets are "full" but you can apply to join their waitlists (if your fare permits waitlisting). With R, I, B and H you cannot even request a seat.
The carrier will determine how to confirm your seat if it wishes. Sometimes this may happen immediately, other times only a few minutes before the flight's departure. The order of the waitlist is determined by the carrier privately, but your Executive Club status will push you towards the front of the queue. Many cheap fares do not allow waitlisting.
Differences for non-BA airlines
Please also restrict requests to BA/oneworld flights - flights for other airlines may be removed to avoid cluttering the thread and taking it away from BAEC.
As of 15 Oct 2014 flightstats.com no longer displays flight availability.
Fare class availability can be queried in various ways*:
* Please update wiki if you know of any others.
** Origin of data concealed
What do the codes mean?
Suppose we have a result as F1 A0 J9 C7 D0 RC IC W9 E9 T4 Y9 BC HC ...
This means:
There is 1 seat in the F bucket for sale
There are 0 seats in the A and D bucket for sale, but you can join the waitlist in case seats get released later.
There are at least 9 seats in the J, W, E and Y buckets.
The R, I, B and H buckets are closed to waitlisting.
There are two important things to note about how to interpret these numbers that many people don't understand as it is very counter intuitive:
1) There is NO direct relation to the actual number of seats available on the specific flight. They only mean that the airline is willing to sell this many seats on that specific flight. The airline may intend to oversell seats or withhold seats from sale for many reasons.
2) In the example above, the results show W9 E9 T4 (which are all WT+ buckets). This does not mean that there are 9+9+4=22 seats for sale. Interpret these numbers as "there are at least 9 seats for sale in WT+". There could really be anywhere between 9 and 22 seats for sale - we just can't tell from the numbers the system gives us. Therefore, the conservative approach of assuming that there are at least 9 seats for sale is usually the best one.
What does the "C" mean?
Closed to waitlisting.
In the example above we have RC, IC, BC and HC. This is different to A0 and D0: The A and D buckets are "full" but you can apply to join their waitlists (if your fare permits waitlisting). With R, I, B and H you cannot even request a seat.
The carrier will determine how to confirm your seat if it wishes. Sometimes this may happen immediately, other times only a few minutes before the flight's departure. The order of the waitlist is determined by the carrier privately, but your Executive Club status will push you towards the front of the queue. Many cheap fares do not allow waitlisting.
Differences for non-BA airlines
- Some carriers (those using Sabre such as AA) only show a maximum of 7 available seats (not 9). Others only show a maximum of 5.
- Some carriers use "L" instead of "0" (e.g., CL DL YL) to indicate you may waitlist for the seat. This tends to happen when the entire flight is on a list basis.
Help to check seat availability and flight loads
Apr 27, 2017, 6:28 am
#5026
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,255
Many thanks peterinlewesuk
Apr 27, 2017, 3:27 pm
#5027
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,163
Question[s] for experts [Mods, please move if this is the wrong place, I tried looking elsewhere].
I'm booked on a shorthaul flight LHR-EU that is showing as zeroed out in all classes but J1, and I'd like to volunteer to move to the next one [currently showing better availability] and help BA if they need extra space.
I have 2 questions:
- am I better off doing OLCI or not [will arrive at the airport several hours before the flight, so will be among the first one to check in there]
- if I do OLCI, am I better asking about this at the F check in desk or in the lounge/at the gate?
I won't be checking any luggage.
I'm booked on a shorthaul flight LHR-EU that is showing as zeroed out in all classes but J1, and I'd like to volunteer to move to the next one [currently showing better availability] and help BA if they need extra space.
I have 2 questions:
- am I better off doing OLCI or not [will arrive at the airport several hours before the flight, so will be among the first one to check in there]
- if I do OLCI, am I better asking about this at the F check in desk or in the lounge/at the gate?
I won't be checking any luggage.
Apr 27, 2017, 3:38 pm
#5028
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
In my experience it's going to be extremely hard for you to get anyone at BA to engage and discuss this proactively with you until they decide they have a space problem.
Apr 27, 2017, 3:55 pm
#5029
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,163
Yes, that's my experience too - I've been a little bit spoiled by some domestic USA flying [where they can appreciate volunteering].
Apr 28, 2017, 1:20 am
#5030
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: BA, AS MVP Gold, AA
Posts: 10
Currently playing a game of chicken with purchasing seats for WT, given each is running $60+... would love to get a sense of loads and if I'm about to lose and need to pony up 
5/5: BA 278 SJC-LHR
5/6: BA 59 LHR-CPT
5/20: BA 56 JNB-LHR
5/21: BA 285 LHR-SFO
thanks in advance!
5/5: BA 278 SJC-LHR
5/6: BA 59 LHR-CPT
5/20: BA 56 JNB-LHR
5/21: BA 285 LHR-SFO
thanks in advance!
Apr 28, 2017, 1:24 am
#5031
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
currently playing a game of chicken with purchasing seats for wt, given each is running $60+... Would love to get a sense of loads and if i'm about to lose and need to pony up
5/5: Ba 278 sjc-lhr
5/6: Ba 59 lhr-cpt
5/20: Ba 56 jnb-lhr
5/21: Ba 285 lhr-sfo
thanks in advance!
5/5: Ba 278 sjc-lhr
5/6: Ba 59 lhr-cpt
5/20: Ba 56 jnb-lhr
5/21: Ba 285 lhr-sfo
thanks in advance!
expert flyer:
5/5: Ba 278 sjc-lhr
F5 A3 J3 C0 D0 R0 I0 W2 E0 T0 Y3 B2 H2 K1 M1 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
5/6: Ba 59 lhr-cpt
F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 R0 I0 W0 E0 T0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L6 V1 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
5/20: Ba 56 jnb-lhr
F5 A5 J9 C9 D9 R9 I1 W9 E4 T0 Y9 B9 H6 K1 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
5/21: Ba 285 lhr-sfo
F9 A9 J9 C9 D9 R9 I9 W5 E0 T0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S7 N0 Q0 O0 G0
Last edited by TravellerFrequently; Apr 28, 2017 at 1:29 am
Apr 28, 2017, 1:27 am
#5032
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: BA, AS MVP Gold, AA
Posts: 10
Seems like I should go ahead and pony up for SJC-LHR at the least.
Apr 28, 2017, 3:53 am
#5033
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Gold....er now Silver...er now Bronze....er now Blue
Posts: 3,507
Could someone please give me the loads on the following please:
29/4 LHR-JFK BA115
2/5 ATL-LHR BA226
thx!
29/4 LHR-JFK BA115
2/5 ATL-LHR BA226
thx!
Apr 28, 2017, 3:55 am
#5034
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 228
Apr 28, 2017, 3:58 am
#5035
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Lewes, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 231
Could someone please give me the loads on the following please:
29/4 LHR-JFK BA115
BA 115
LHR 29/04/17 14:30
JFK 29/04/17 17:20
744
F3 A2 J8 C0 D0 R0 I0 W3 E2 T0 Y4 B2 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
2/5 ATL-LHR BA226
BA 226
ATL 02/05/17 22:15
LHR 03/05/17 11:25
777
F9 A9 J9 C4 D2 R0 I0 W9 E9 T5 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G9
thx!
29/4 LHR-JFK BA115
BA 115
LHR 29/04/17 14:30
JFK 29/04/17 17:20
744
F3 A2 J8 C0 D0 R0 I0 W3 E2 T0 Y4 B2 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
2/5 ATL-LHR BA226
BA 226
ATL 02/05/17 22:15
LHR 03/05/17 11:25
777
F9 A9 J9 C4 D2 R0 I0 W9 E9 T5 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G9
thx!
Apr 28, 2017, 3:59 am
#5036
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
29/4 lhr-jfk ba115
F3 A2 J8 C0 D0 R0 I0 W3 E2 T0 Y4 B2 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
2/5 atl-lhr ba226
F9 A9 J9 C0 D0 R0 I0 W9 E9 T5 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G9
Apr 28, 2017, 4:01 am
#5037
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
Apr 28, 2017, 4:20 am
#5038
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Gold....er now Silver...er now Bronze....er now Blue
Posts: 3,507
on that basis, I think I might pay the ridiculous Ł75 fee ATL-LHR for a WTP exit row seat as not much chance of an OP UP and no sign of any reward seats being released.
Chance of something on tomorrows flight to JFK I suppose.
Apr 28, 2017, 1:22 pm
#5039
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,426
More a config than an availablity question...
Sat 30th LGW-AGP 2716 is an A319 according to expertflyr.
But can someone with more in depth knowledge tell me if this has the Bulkhead at 1A/C? I know some ex-LGW 320s have no bulkhead. I prefer a bulkhead. I can't tell much more on my iPhone.
Thanks all.
Sat 30th LGW-AGP 2716 is an A319 according to expertflyr.
But can someone with more in depth knowledge tell me if this has the Bulkhead at 1A/C? I know some ex-LGW 320s have no bulkhead. I prefer a bulkhead. I can't tell much more on my iPhone.
Thanks all.
Apr 29, 2017, 4:46 pm
#5040
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: None
Posts: 3
Lgw- lim 30/04/17 ba2239
Hi Guys,
I'm flying LGW-LIM tomorrow 12:20 BA2239. The plane has a 3-3-3 seat combination in economy. I checked in this morning hoping for a window seat, but the majority the left and right aisles (seats ABC, HJK) have been blocked out on the check-in, with almost every middle aisle (seats DEF) still available.
I phoned up BA and they said that these seats are mostly not taken by people but have been blocked and they are only available on request at the airport.
Is this normal? I'm not a frequent flyer so I don't know if this is standard procedure.
If so, would I have any chance of asking for a window seat at check in tomorrow?
I'm flying LGW-LIM tomorrow 12:20 BA2239. The plane has a 3-3-3 seat combination in economy. I checked in this morning hoping for a window seat, but the majority the left and right aisles (seats ABC, HJK) have been blocked out on the check-in, with almost every middle aisle (seats DEF) still available.
I phoned up BA and they said that these seats are mostly not taken by people but have been blocked and they are only available on request at the airport.
Is this normal? I'm not a frequent flyer so I don't know if this is standard procedure.
If so, would I have any chance of asking for a window seat at check in tomorrow?