Jul 9, 2017, 11:09 am
Last edit by: Tobias-UK
This is community help desk which allows members to assist each other in finding out how many seats are available on any given flight.
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 and probably unauthorised (so buyer beware)
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
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 and probably unauthorised (so buyer beware)
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 BA seat availability and BA flight loads
Nov 14, 2017, 6:01 am
#706
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,532
Code:
F9 A9 J9 C0 D0 R0 I0 W6 E0 T0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q1 O1 G9
Code:
Seat Map Search:
Departing BOM on 11/16/17 for LHR
Flying BA flight 198 in First, Business/Club, Premium Economy
A B D E F G J K
10 - - - + + - - -
11 - - - - - X - -
12 - - - X X - - -
13 - - X X X X - -
14 W - - X X X - - - W
15 W - X X - - X - - W
16 W - X + X X + X - W
A B D E F G J K
Seats
Premium Only P
Available +
Handicap-Accessible H
Paid & Premium #
Occupied -
Blocked X
Lavatory L
Paid $
Location
Exit Row E
Wing W
Upper Deck U
Nov 14, 2017, 6:17 am
#707
Join Date: May 2016
Location: LHR
Programs: BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 63
OK, first time user of ExpertFlyer (I'm trialling) so fingers crossed I've got this right for you:
BA 198 0 BOM
11/16/17 1:15 PM LHR
11/16/17 5:55 PM 777
M,T,Th
84% / 16m F9 A9 J9 C0 D0 R0 I0 W6 E0 T0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q1 O1 G9
As I posted, florens far superior information crept in before me...lol
BA 198 0 BOM
11/16/17 1:15 PM LHR
11/16/17 5:55 PM 777
M,T,Th
84% / 16m F9 A9 J9 C0 D0 R0 I0 W6 E0 T0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q1 O1 G9
As I posted, florens far superior information crept in before me...lol
Last edited by fin_dg; Nov 14, 2017 at 6:19 am Reason: updated information
Nov 14, 2017, 3:33 pm
#708
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Central Scotland, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 287
Could someone please check BA2946, LGW-EDI, 1915 on Mon 11 Dec?
Trying to work out if it's worth holding out until N bucket comes online as the extra 5TPs for £13 could potentially make quite a difference down the line..
Many thanks
Trying to work out if it's worth holding out until N bucket comes online as the extra 5TPs for £13 could potentially make quite a difference down the line..
Many thanks
Nov 14, 2017, 4:28 pm
#709
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,228
For the above flight it's currently showing as:
J9 C8 D5 R9 I7 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 N9 Q9 O6 S9 G9 (UK POS)
Hope that helps!
Geordie405
Nov 14, 2017, 4:37 pm
#710
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Central Scotland, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 287
Thanks - not great if I am reading this right. Presumably would have to sell 15 or more non-flex economy seats to zero out O and Q, and there's a risk of them scrapping V and N buckets before they do so...
Nov 15, 2017, 6:11 am
#711
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 33
Hi all
I have 2x 241 (2 adults and 2 children) in CW which I have redeemed for;
25 Dec LHR to BOM on BA0199
05 Jan BOM to LHR on BA0198
I have no status, so am trying to contemplate whether I should pay for seat assignments to ensure we’re together. If someone is able to check the load on this flight I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
I have 2x 241 (2 adults and 2 children) in CW which I have redeemed for;
25 Dec LHR to BOM on BA0199
05 Jan BOM to LHR on BA0198
I have no status, so am trying to contemplate whether I should pay for seat assignments to ensure we’re together. If someone is able to check the load on this flight I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
Nov 15, 2017, 6:37 am
#712
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,266
Hi all
I have 2x 241 (2 adults and 2 children) in CW which I have redeemed for;
25 Dec LHR to BOM on BA0199
05 Jan BOM to LHR on BA0198
I have no status, so am trying to contemplate whether I should pay for seat assignments to ensure we’re together. If someone is able to check the load on this flight I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
I have 2x 241 (2 adults and 2 children) in CW which I have redeemed for;
25 Dec LHR to BOM on BA0199
05 Jan BOM to LHR on BA0198
I have no status, so am trying to contemplate whether I should pay for seat assignments to ensure we’re together. If someone is able to check the load on this flight I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
LHR 12/25/17 8:50 PM
BOM12/26/17 11:15 AM
777
F3 A3 J9 C9 D9 R9 I0 W4 E1 T0 Y2 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
BA 198
BOM 01/05/18 1:15 PM
LHR 01/05/18 5:55 PM
777
F0 A0 J2 C0 D0 R0 I0 W7 E0 T0 Y2 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
Ok on the way out, packed on the return.
Pilot37
Nov 15, 2017, 7:13 am
#713
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 33
wow that is packed. looks like i will need to fork out for seat assignments...
thank you Pilot37 !
thank you Pilot37 !
BA 199
LHR 12/25/17 8:50 PM
BOM12/26/17 11:15 AM
777
F3 A3 J9 C9 D9 R9 I0 W4 E1 T0 Y2 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
BA 198
BOM 01/05/18 1:15 PM
LHR 01/05/18 5:55 PM
777
F0 A0 J2 C0 D0 R0 I0 W7 E0 T0 Y2 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
Ok on the way out, packed on the return.
Pilot37
LHR 12/25/17 8:50 PM
BOM12/26/17 11:15 AM
777
F3 A3 J9 C9 D9 R9 I0 W4 E1 T0 Y2 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
BA 198
BOM 01/05/18 1:15 PM
LHR 01/05/18 5:55 PM
777
F0 A0 J2 C0 D0 R0 I0 W7 E0 T0 Y2 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
Ok on the way out, packed on the return.
Pilot37
Nov 16, 2017, 2:06 pm
#714
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: AA L/T Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 401
F0A0J9C9D9R6I0W9E2T2Y9B9H9K9M9L9V9S9N9Q0O0G0
The above is flight I am on from LGW to BGI. I am in the F cabin but on the cheap A class ticket.
As J appears to be quite empty, I guess BA have likely oversold F as they can easily downgrade people.
How many seats does BA usually oversell in F?
Also, I was thinking, obviously BA need to extract as much revenue out of a flight as possible. Will they offer paid upgrades from J cabin to F either before the day or at the airport to get more cash and then downgrade passengers in F on cheaper A tickets, as a full J ticket plus the upgrade price is likely to have cost more than the A ticket.
The above is flight I am on from LGW to BGI. I am in the F cabin but on the cheap A class ticket.
As J appears to be quite empty, I guess BA have likely oversold F as they can easily downgrade people.
How many seats does BA usually oversell in F?
Also, I was thinking, obviously BA need to extract as much revenue out of a flight as possible. Will they offer paid upgrades from J cabin to F either before the day or at the airport to get more cash and then downgrade passengers in F on cheaper A tickets, as a full J ticket plus the upgrade price is likely to have cost more than the A ticket.
Nov 16, 2017, 2:19 pm
#715
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Programs: Tufty Club (Gold), BAGA Gymnastics level 4, 440yds swimming certificate
Posts: 2,533
F0A0J9C9D9R6I0W9E2T2Y9B9H9K9M9L9V9S9N9Q0O0G0
The above is flight I am on from LGW to BGI. I am in the F cabin but on the cheap A class ticket.
As J appears to be quite empty, I guess BA have likely oversold F as they can easily downgrade people.
How many seats does BA usually oversell in F?
Also, I was thinking, obviously BA need to extract as much revenue out of a flight as possible. Will they offer paid upgrades from J cabin to F either before the day or at the airport to get more cash and then downgrade passengers in F on cheaper A tickets, as a full J ticket plus the upgrade price is likely to have cost more than the A ticket.
The above is flight I am on from LGW to BGI. I am in the F cabin but on the cheap A class ticket.
As J appears to be quite empty, I guess BA have likely oversold F as they can easily downgrade people.
How many seats does BA usually oversell in F?
Also, I was thinking, obviously BA need to extract as much revenue out of a flight as possible. Will they offer paid upgrades from J cabin to F either before the day or at the airport to get more cash and then downgrade passengers in F on cheaper A tickets, as a full J ticket plus the upgrade price is likely to have cost more than the A ticket.
which date and flight is it?
Nov 16, 2017, 2:48 pm
#716
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: AA L/T Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 401
you're worrying too much. If F is oversold it's normally just by one. Downgrades aren't easy as they are expensive. Downgrades would be done by frequent flyer status not fare bucket, but you won't be the only one with an A class ticket anyway. As it's a leisure route most people will be.
which date and flight is it?
which date and flight is it?
Sorry, I am new to this.....well.... what I mean is, I returned from a trip and my partner had signed up for Expertflyer. I used to love to fly oblivious to all of these goings on....ignorance is bliss. Also I am used to flying a high frequency routes east and west coast US, so never give these things a thought, but when you take a flight that has just one flight a day.....it makes you think as you are pretty much at the mercy of whatever BA want to do. The readings here of people being downgraded and treatment just makes you think.
Nov 17, 2017, 2:10 am
#717
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: BA Blue, EK Blue, Best Western Diamond Select, Hilton Gold
Posts: 78
Hello
Can somebody please check the loading for the following -
20/11on BA056 JNB to LHR
Thanks p!
Can somebody please check the loading for the following -
20/11on BA056 JNB to LHR
Thanks p!
Nov 17, 2017, 3:25 am
#718
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,532
Code:
Flight Availability Search
Departing JNB on 11/20/17 12:00 AM for LHR
Flying BA
Direct/Non-Stop Only
Point of Sale: UK
Frequency
Flight Stops Depart Arrive Aircraft Reliability Available Classes
0 Connections
BA 56 0 JNB LHR 388 Daily F1 A0 J9 C0 D0 R0 I0 W9 E9 T5 Y9 B7 H3 K3 M3 L3 V3 S3 N4 Q4 O0 G4
11/20/17 8:15 PM 11/21/17 5:25 AM 87% / 38m
Nov 17, 2017, 1:24 pm
#719
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,444
Hi,
Could someone kindly check 0117 LHR - JFK on Monday 20th November please?
Thanks
Could someone kindly check 0117 LHR - JFK on Monday 20th November please?
Thanks
Last edited by rockflyertalk; Nov 18, 2017 at 10:40 am
Nov 18, 2017, 12:33 pm
#720
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,563
Bit of an odd one: up to yesterday my flight next week was showing absolutely no economy seats whatsoever, although with some WT+ and CW availability. Today, post 7-days before the flight, same number of WT+ and CW, but also 9 (+) economy (Y plus others). Presumably some TA released seats back to the system?