Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
This thread examines BA's use of Amadeus' Theoretical Seating module. This kicks in at T-72 hours before departure, so this thread is primarily of interest to those travelling within the next few days.
FAQ : 'Theoretical Seating' : Blocked seats and status
#916
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: CBG
Programs: BAEC Silver; M&M FT
Posts: 233
#917
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, Amex Platinum
Posts: 100
Last time I got row 1 (as silver) was in November last year. It was also the last time I tried to get seats in row 1 at T-72. On all my flights in between then and now expert flyer showed them as occupied.
I did also try calling (as that has also worked for me in the past when inside 72 hours) and the message I got from the call centre this time was those seats are "restricted" and I don't think they even tried to move me.
Anyway, that flight is done and onwards to the next. (I will likely never make Gold so can only try and get row 1 at T-72 if it is still unoccupied).
I did also try calling (as that has also worked for me in the past when inside 72 hours) and the message I got from the call centre this time was those seats are "restricted" and I don't think they even tried to move me.
Anyway, that flight is done and onwards to the next. (I will likely never make Gold so can only try and get row 1 at T-72 if it is still unoccupied).
#918
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 226
I have a last minute avios flight to Las Vegas this Wednesday on BA275. I have spent the last two years at home with my family so have dropped from GGL/CCR to silver. My outbound flight is in PE as there were no club redemptions available, for the seat choice it is only showing 2 middle seats as available. If I make a new dummy booking it will happily let me book 9 additional PE seats. So is PE really full, or are they just blocking all of the seats bar 2 middle ones?
#919
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,083
I have a last minute avios flight to Las Vegas this Wednesday on BA275. I have spent the last two years at home with my family so have dropped from GGL/CCR to silver. My outbound flight is in PE as there were no club redemptions available, for the seat choice it is only showing 2 middle seats as available. If I make a new dummy booking it will happily let me book 9 additional PE seats. So is PE really full, or are they just blocking all of the seats bar 2 middle ones?
All seats are occupied and I can only see 11J, 12G, 13F and 15 F, the latter which must be the 2 middle ones you are seeing, as free for selection.
11J and 12G are only available to Golds as TS kicks in/about to kick in.
Understandably 12F and 11K are blocked as bassinets.
Here are the flight loads FYI.
F5 A4 J9 C2 D1 R0 I0 W9 E9 T9 Y9 B9
H9 K9 M7 L4 V1 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G9
#920
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 226
Thanks, surely W9 means the cabin isn't that full? I'm now in 11J and any ideas of being bumped up to club pushed from my mind. P.s. You may remember that I guested you into the CCR once, back when such things weren't frowned upon.
#921
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,642
Cabins are not hermetically sealed from each other in the booking systems. W9 tells you very little about how many reservations have been taken for the WT+ cabin (or, strictly speaking, in WT+ booking classes) nor where the airline is planning to seat everyone. In theory, WT+ could already be well overbooked even though BA is currently prepared to take another 9 reservations in any booking class in that cabin.
#922
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,488
#923
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,782
#924
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,642
Only the expert insiders will know exactly how BA runs this so far as WT+ is concerned. But I think that one can confidently say that there will be flights that are overbooked in economy by many tens - perhaps even a three-digit number - yet are still showing Y9, and plenty of flights showing J9 that are significantly overbooked in CW. The bigger question of how the physical space on the aircraft will be used, and how different the selling configuration is from the physical configuration of the aircraft that is planned to operate the flight.
#926
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 554
Hi folks,
First time I've really looked at the TS - Appreciate views on how this is working/looking?
I am 24A and up til a couple hrs ago 24B (approx T-17hrs) was shown blocked on EF. Now I can see it as open on EF and on BA (T-15hrs) in the change / view your seat, which I assume, I think, is because of my Gold status?
Also would I be right in assuming the open space at the front is likely to fill up on this flight, given the possible loads?
BA 108 tomorrow booked WT+ the current load on EF shows
F4 A3 J6 C0 D0 R0 I0 W2 E1 T1 Y4 B0H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
The EF seat map shows :-
First time I've really looked at the TS - Appreciate views on how this is working/looking?
I am 24A and up til a couple hrs ago 24B (approx T-17hrs) was shown blocked on EF. Now I can see it as open on EF and on BA (T-15hrs) in the change / view your seat, which I assume, I think, is because of my Gold status?
Also would I be right in assuming the open space at the front is likely to fill up on this flight, given the possible loads?
BA 108 tomorrow booked WT+ the current load on EF shows
F4 A3 J6 C0 D0 R0 I0 W2 E1 T1 Y4 B0H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
The EF seat map shows :-
#927
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,464
In this case I would OLCI and get boarding pass at the first opportunity, there isn't a better seat in WTP. Cancel any special meal and see if the App More Flight Details does a seat change in the hours before departure.....
#928
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 554
Thx CWS, just the advice I was looking for, informative and helpful. Will do OLCI now. Cheers T
#929
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
The age-old question is "how do I get that coveted Empty Seat next to meeee?".
For the most part, it involves choosing a seat which is adjacent to the LEAST desirable seat (so that the seat next to yours will be the LAST one chosen).
Imagine a seating chart where only two seats are available, and both are crummy. Which seat is the MOST crummy? You need to choose your seat adjacent to that Most Crummy seat.
A seat is crummy when:
- It's middle instead of aisle or window
- It's toward the back of the cabin
- It's on the right side of the airplane (requiring a crossover to board and to deplane).
So ... the best seat to ensure an empty adjecent seat is:
- Middle section
- Last Row
- On the right side
I have just one question. Why do I always end up with someone seated next to me, despite following the brilliant strategy above?
For the most part, it involves choosing a seat which is adjacent to the LEAST desirable seat (so that the seat next to yours will be the LAST one chosen).
Imagine a seating chart where only two seats are available, and both are crummy. Which seat is the MOST crummy? You need to choose your seat adjacent to that Most Crummy seat.
A seat is crummy when:
- It's middle instead of aisle or window
- It's toward the back of the cabin
- It's on the right side of the airplane (requiring a crossover to board and to deplane).
So ... the best seat to ensure an empty adjecent seat is:
- Middle section
- Last Row
- On the right side
I have just one question. Why do I always end up with someone seated next to me, despite following the brilliant strategy above?
#930
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: CBG
Programs: BAEC Silver; M&M FT
Posts: 233
The age-old question is "how do I get that coveted Empty Seat next to meeee?".
For the most part, it involves choosing a seat which is adjacent to the LEAST desirable seat (so that the seat next to yours will be the LAST one chosen).
Imagine a seating chart where only two seats are available, and both are crummy. Which seat is the MOST crummy? You need to choose your seat adjacent to that Most Crummy seat.
A seat is crummy when:
- It's middle instead of aisle or window
- It's toward the back of the cabin
- It's on the right side of the airplane (requiring a crossover to board and to deplane).
So ... the best seat to ensure an empty adjecent seat is:
- Middle section
- Last Row
- On the right side
I have just one question. Why do I always end up with someone seated next to me, despite following the brilliant strategy above?
For the most part, it involves choosing a seat which is adjacent to the LEAST desirable seat (so that the seat next to yours will be the LAST one chosen).
Imagine a seating chart where only two seats are available, and both are crummy. Which seat is the MOST crummy? You need to choose your seat adjacent to that Most Crummy seat.
A seat is crummy when:
- It's middle instead of aisle or window
- It's toward the back of the cabin
- It's on the right side of the airplane (requiring a crossover to board and to deplane).
So ... the best seat to ensure an empty adjecent seat is:
- Middle section
- Last Row
- On the right side
I have just one question. Why do I always end up with someone seated next to me, despite following the brilliant strategy above?