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Help to check seat availability and flight loads

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Old Jan 1, 2014, 6:10 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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
        • 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.
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        Help to check seat availability and flight loads

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        Old Jun 25, 2017, 2:29 pm
          #5371  
         
        Join Date: Feb 2014
        Location: CBG
        Programs: QR Gold, BA silver
        Posts: 352
        Originally Posted by TravellerFrequently
        Expert Flyer - UK POS

        BA 704 LHR 05/07/17 15:40 VIE 18:55 320

        J9 C6 D3 R0 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M2 L0 V0 N0 Q0 O0 S0 G0

        BA 706 LHR 05/07/17 19:15 VIE 22:30 320

        J9 C4 D2 R9 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L1 V0 N0 Q0 O0 S0 G0
        Thanks!
        TheDinge is offline  
        Old Jun 25, 2017, 5:41 pm
          #5372  
        formerly mattking2000
         
        Join Date: Nov 2012
        Location: DXB
        Programs: BA|AC|AZ|SPG|H|FPC
        Posts: 1,184
        Deferring to the experts here, as I have access but no idea what it could mean:

        US POS

        BA 182 0 JFK
        06/30/17 10:55 PM LHR
        07/01/17 11:00 AM 744
        F
        73% / 22m F7 A3 J4 C0 D0 R0 I0 W1 E0 T0 Y4 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0

        This looks pretty full in the back, is there chance of being op upped from W to J in this scenario?
        BA Humbug is online now  
        Old Jun 25, 2017, 7:30 pm
          #5373  
        Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
         
        Join Date: Nov 2010
        Location: TPA/ABZ
        Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
        Posts: 13,243
        Originally Posted by BA Humbug
        Deferring to the experts here, as I have access but no idea what it could mean:

        US POS

        BA 182 0 JFK
        06/30/17 10:55 PM LHR
        07/01/17 11:00 AM 744
        F
        73% / 22m F7 A3 J4 C0 D0 R0 I0 W1 E0 T0 Y4 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0

        This looks pretty full in the back, is there chance of being op upped from W to J in this scenario?
        Yes, I think there's a reasonable chance. I suspect that WT and WTP may be full but the airline is prepared to sell full fare tickets in both with a view to upgrading people from WT to WTP if necessary. This will have the knock on effect of a requirement to upgrade from WTP to CW and possibly further forward too. It will all depend on whether or not the cabins down the back are *actually* oversold or not on the day.

        It would be interesting if you reported back what actually happens if you find out.
        golfmad is offline  
        Old Jun 25, 2017, 7:50 pm
          #5374  
        formerly mattking2000
         
        Join Date: Nov 2012
        Location: DXB
        Programs: BA|AC|AZ|SPG|H|FPC
        Posts: 1,184
        Originally Posted by golfmad
        Yes, I think there's a reasonable chance. I suspect that WT and WTP may be full but the airline is prepared to sell full fare tickets in both with a view to upgrading people from WT to WTP if necessary. This will have the knock on effect of a requirement to upgrade from WTP to CW and possibly further forward too. It will all depend on whether or not the cabins down the back are *actually* oversold or not on the day.

        It would be interesting if you reported back what actually happens if you find out.
        Thanks, will definitely report back. I haven't had any luck with upgrades this year yet, so here's hoping!

        Unfortunately, this would mean I miss out on the London Do...
        BA Humbug is online now  
        Old Jun 27, 2017, 5:56 pm
          #5375  
         
        Join Date: Jun 2017
        Programs: Oman
        Posts: 9
        Hi

        Can you please check below:-
        05th Sep 2017
        MCT-DXB EK867
        DXB-SEA EK229
        DXB-SFO EK225

        Many thanks

        Last edited by ABDULLAH OM; Jun 27, 2017 at 6:03 pm
        ABDULLAH OM is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 7:05 am
          #5376  
         
        Join Date: Apr 2014
        Posts: 8
        LGW - PUJ

        Hi

        Could someone please check the following:

        24th August BA2205 LGW - PUJ
        7th Sept BA2204 - PUJ - LGW

        Many thanks
        wq0nja is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 7:15 am
          #5377  
        Hilton Contributor Badge
         
        Join Date: Oct 2010
        Location: Switzerland / Estonia
        Programs: AY+ Platinum, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, HH Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Diamond Elite
        Posts: 6,525
        Originally Posted by wq0nja
        Hi

        Could someone please check the following:

        24th August BA2205 LGW - PUJ
        7th Sept BA2204 - PUJ - LGW

        Many thanks
        Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
        Code:
        Flight Availability Search
        Departing LGW on 08/24/17 12:00 AM for PUJ
        Returning on 09/07/17 12:00 AM 
        Flying BA  
        Point of Sale: UK
        
        
                                                                             Frequency
        Flight        Stops  Depart             Arrive             Aircraft  Reliability     Available Classes
        0 Connections
        BA 2205       0      LGW                PUJ                777       Th              J9 C9 D9 R9 I7 W9 E5 T0 Y9 B9 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 
                             08/24/17 12:00 PM  08/24/17 4:05 PM             85% / 14m
        Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
        Code:
        Flight Availability Search
        Departing PUJ on 09/07/17 12:00 AM for LGW
        Returning on 09/07/17 12:00 AM 
        Flying BA  
        Point of Sale: UK
        
        
                                                                             Frequency
        Flight        Stops  Depart             Arrive             Aircraft  Reliability     Available Classes
        0 Connections
        BA 2204       0      PUJ                LGW                777       Th              J9 C9 D9 R9 I6 W9 E9 T9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G9 
                             09/07/17 5:35 PM   09/08/17 6:50 AM             78% / 49m
        florens is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 7:21 am
          #5378  
         
        Join Date: Apr 2004
        Programs: AA Plat/2MM, DL Silver, UA Silver (via Marr), Marr LTT, HH Gold (via cc), Hyatt Disc
        Posts: 1,039
        Insight appreciated on the following:

        BA238 BOS-LHR
        10-JUL

        I'm currently in WT+ and the seating chart has only a couple of open seats.

        Thanks!
        bosman is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 7:33 am
          #5379  
         
        Join Date: Apr 2014
        Posts: 8
        Thanks florens. That was super fast!
        wq0nja is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 8:19 am
          #5380  
        Hilton Contributor Badge
         
        Join Date: Oct 2010
        Location: Switzerland / Estonia
        Programs: AY+ Platinum, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, HH Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Diamond Elite
        Posts: 6,525
        Smile

        Originally Posted by bosman
        Insight appreciated on the following:

        BA238 BOS-LHR
        10-JUL

        I'm currently in WT+ and the seating chart has only a couple of open seats.

        Thanks!
        Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
        Code:
        Flight Availability Search
        Departing BOS on 07/10/17 12:00 AM for LHR
        Flying BA  
        
        
                                                                             Frequency
        Flight        Stops  Depart             Arrive             Aircraft  Reliability     Available Classes
        0 Connections
        BA 238        0      BOS                LHR                777       Daily           F5 A5 J9 C8 D4 R0 I0 W2 E0 T0 Y9 B9 H9 K8 M6 L4 V2 S1 N0 Q0 O0 G1 
                             07/10/17 7:50 AM   07/10/17 7:25 PM             90% / 21m
                        07/11/17 7:30 AM   07/11/17 9:05 AM             NA / NA
        florens is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 11:02 am
          #5381  
         
        Join Date: Apr 2004
        Programs: AA Plat/2MM, DL Silver, UA Silver (via Marr), Marr LTT, HH Gold (via cc), Hyatt Disc
        Posts: 1,039
        Thanks Florens!
        bosman is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 12:35 pm
          #5382  
         
        Join Date: Jun 2015
        Location: LHR, LGW
        Programs: BAEC
        Posts: 3,412
        Hi,

        Please can you tell me the load for LGW-JFK 2273 this Saturday 1st July?

        Thanks

        Safe Flying
        rockflyertalk is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 12:39 pm
          #5383  
        Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
         
        Join Date: Nov 2010
        Location: TPA/ABZ
        Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
        Posts: 13,243
        Originally Posted by rockflyertalk
        Hi,

        Please can you tell me the load for LGW-JFK 2273 this Saturday 1st July?

        Thanks

        Safe Flying
        With a UK POS

        J9 C9 D9 R9 I0 W9 E0 T0 Y9 B9 H9 K9M9 L9 V5 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G9
        golfmad is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 1:41 pm
          #5384  
        FlyerTalk Evangelist
         
        Join Date: Mar 2013
        Location: London
        Posts: 17,007
        Originally Posted by ABDULLAH OM
        Hi

        Can you please check below:-
        05th Sep 2017
        MCT-DXB EK867
        DXB-SEA EK229
        DXB-SFO EK225

        Many thanks
        Welcome to FlyerTalk and peace be upon you, ABDULLAH OM and also be welcome to the British Airways forum.

        Normally we only look at oneworld flights here but since you are new ... ... I will bend the rules for you.

        Code:
        MCTDXB  EK 867  05SEP  F2 A2 J4 C4 I4 O7 P0 Y7 E7 R7 W7 M7 B7 U7 K7 H0 Q7 L7 T7 V7 X7
        DXBSEA  EK 229  05SEP  F4 A4 J7 C7 I7 O7 P0 Y9 E9 R9 W9 M9 B9 U9 K9 H0 Q9 L9 T0 V0 X0
        DXBSFO  EK 225  05SEP  F2 A2 J4 C4 I4 O7 P0 Y7 E7 R7 W7 M7 B7 U7 K7 H0 Q7 L7 T7 V7 X7
        Calchas is offline  
        Old Jun 28, 2017, 3:40 pm
          #5385  
         
        Join Date: Jul 2011
        Posts: 246
        Hello, could someone possibly check loads on the following flights, please:

        BA2063 LGW-MRU, 1st July
        BA2062 MRU-LGW, 9th July

        Many thanks
        ABZGirl is offline  


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