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Help to check BA seat availability and BA flight loads

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Old Jul 9, 2017, 11:09 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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
  • 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 BA seat availability and BA flight loads

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Old Jun 26, 2018, 8:50 am
  #2011  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Herts, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH Diamond.
Posts: 3,176
Originally Posted by DreamTrip
Y4 all other buckets 0. Wish you luck!
Originally Posted by Sam Bee
I get different (slightly) result for UK POS
WED 27JUN18 LONDON AREA /DELHI
2 LHR DEL 27/1930#0820 BA 257
F0 A0 J0 C0 DC RC IC W0 EC TC Y4 B3 H0 K0 M0 LC VC SC NC QC OC G0

Thanks both, I wont get my hopes up!
The removal of F and the reduction of J seats from the Morning flight (now QR operated), do not seem to have done me any favours :-(
stewaran is online now  
Old Jun 26, 2018, 9:44 am
  #2012  
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 47
Hello,

Can someone check BA 0193 (LHR - DFW) for the 14th of July please? Thanks!
DallasTX_Traveller is offline  
Old Jun 26, 2018, 12:27 pm
  #2013  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sheffield, UK
Programs: BA - Silver,Hilton-Diamond, IHG - PlatAmb, GHA - Plat
Posts: 766
Originally Posted by DallasTX_Traveller
Hello,

Can someone check BA 0193 (LHR - DFW) for the 14th of July please? Thanks!

Hi,

BA193 on 14th July

F1 A0 J9 C4 D2 R0 I0 W0 E0 T0 Y4 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
atmorris is offline  
Old Jun 26, 2018, 12:31 pm
  #2014  
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 47
Thanks for the information. I am trying to figure out what this means, but what I can discern so far is that there are 16 seats available in J. Unable to figure out WT+. I am currently booked in WT+ and hoping to get an upgrade. I'm more than happy to fly where I am at but always welcome an upgrade if possible since my current is pretty full. Thanks!

Last edited by DallasTX_Traveller; Jun 26, 2018 at 12:43 pm Reason: Edit
DallasTX_Traveller is offline  
Old Jun 26, 2018, 1:00 pm
  #2015  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
Originally Posted by DallasTX_Traveller
Thanks for the information. I am trying to figure out what this means, but what I can discern so far is that there are 16 seats available in J. Unable to figure out WT+. I am currently booked in WT+ and hoping to get an upgrade. I'm more than happy to fly where I am at but always welcome an upgrade if possible since my current is pretty full. Thanks!
Always remember that only BA staff have access to exact loads, so this information can only be used to discern approximate loads.

What I would read into it is that WTP is full, Economy full / very busy, and a few seats remaining in Business. BA would definitely sell you 9 Business Class seats (not 16) as you can't add up J+D+C+I to get availability - it could show 1 seat in each of those, and only 1 seat in total remaining.

What I would say from your point of view is as WTP is full, and Business not so, some people may get upgraded, and you may get some nice upgrade offers in advance. Basically things are stacked in your favour. But with free upgrades, these stacks are very small!
Sam Bee is offline  
Old Jun 26, 2018, 1:04 pm
  #2016  
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 47
Originally Posted by Sam Bee
Always remember that only BA staff have access to exact loads, so this information can only be used to discern approximate loads.

What I would read into it is that WTP is full, Economy full / very busy, and a few seats remaining in Business. BA would definitely sell you 9 Business Class seats (not 16) as you can't add up J+D+C+I to get availability - it could show 1 seat in each of those, and only 1 seat in total remaining.

What I would say from your point of view is as WTP is full, and Business not so, some people may get upgraded, and you may get some nice upgrade offers in advance. Basically things are stacked in your favour. But with free upgrades, these stacks are very small!
Thanks!
DallasTX_Traveller is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 5:34 am
  #2017  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 19
Hi all

Would someone be able to check loads for the BA2677 PFO- LGW this Saturday, 30th June. Winding if upgrade going to be possible.

Thanks
RDOFlyer is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 5:36 am
  #2018  
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Lewes, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 231
Originally Posted by rdoflyer
hi all

would someone be able to check loads for the ba2677 pfo- lgw this saturday, 30th june. Winding if upgrade going to be possible.

Thanks
ba 2677
pfo 30/06/18 20:20
lgw 30/06/18 23:15
320
j6 c6 d3 r1 i0 y9 b0 h0 k0 m0 l0 v0 n0 o0 q0 s0 g0
peterinlewesuk is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 7:10 am
  #2019  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 4
Hi can I please get an availability check for

BA 344 LHR 11:30 - NCE 14:35 September 20, 2018
BA 354 LHR 14:30 - NCE 17:35 September 20, 2018

forgot to book the flights a few days ago when they were ~$130 and now prices are showing $330 and $800+ -- wondering if there is a lot of availability, if the price will go down in the next week or so

Thank you
jayjayjay123 is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 7:13 am
  #2020  
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Lewes, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 231
Originally Posted by jayjayjay123
hi can i please get an availability check for

ba 344 lhr 11:30 - nce 14:35 september 20, 2018
ba 354 lhr 14:30 - nce 17:35 september 20, 2018

forgot to book the flights a few days ago when they were ~$130 and now prices are showing $330 and $800+ -- wondering if there is a lot of availability, if the price will go down in the next week or so

thank you
ba 344
lhr 20/09/18 11:30
nce 20/09/18 14:35
319
j9 c5 d0 r0 i0 y9 b0 h0 k0 m0 l0 v0 n0 o0 q0 s0 g0

ba 354
lhr 20/09/18 14:30
nce 20/09/18 17:35
321
j9 c9 d5 r9 i9 y9 b9 h0 k0 m0 l0 v0 n0 o0 q0 s9 g0
peterinlewesuk is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 7:33 am
  #2021  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 4
thank you! does this mean there are 23 seats available on BA 344 and 68 seats available on BA 354?

would it possible to get a seating chart as well?
jayjayjay123 is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 7:43 am
  #2022  
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Lewes, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 231
Originally Posted by jayjayjay123
thank you! does this mean there are 23 seats available on BA 344 and 68 seats available on BA 354?

would it possible to get a seating chart as well?
Unfortunately for you - no - far fewer than that available -

BA344 - they are prepared to sell at least 9 in Club and at least 9 in Economy - but only at the highest fare in each cabin
BA354 - same again with a chance of a slightly cheaper rate available in Club

Seating plans not really much use this far in advance as doesn't reflect availability - only those who have actually reserved a seat will be shown as occupied - plus those blocked for Gold/Silver status
peterinlewesuk is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 7:54 am
  #2023  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 4
gotcha thank you! boy should not have procrastinated... in your experience is it likely for fares to drop within the next 2 weeks based on the current availability?
jayjayjay123 is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 7:59 am
  #2024  
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Lewes, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 231
Originally Posted by jayjayjay123
gotcha thank you! boy should not have procrastinated... in your experience is it likely for fares to drop within the next 2 weeks based on the current availability?
I wouldn't hold your breathe.!

May be worth comparing the economy and Club fares on the later flight as there is some availability in the cheaper less flexible Club fare classes on that compared to only the highest fully flexible economy.
peterinlewesuk is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 8:03 am
  #2025  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 4
ok thanks!
jayjayjay123 is offline  


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