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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 Dec 24, 2018, 8:19 am
  #2911  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Originally Posted by sunshinebob
It could be that there is a Gold or silver in the seat next the the X-ed seat and its being blocked so they are not sitting next to someone.

If the other people that you are trying to sit with are gold ( or silver ) it could be them and they could move along and allow you in maybe.. Also if they are gold (or you are) you might be able to effectivly join the bookings and sit next to them with a call to the gold line.
Thanks for the reply.

My wife is AA Plat, so perhaps that's why the middle seat in my wife and daughter's row is blocked. If it stays blocked, then I might be able to seat myself in there, although, I'd rather they have the extra room.

Saw another thread on Theoretical Seating. It really is a nice little perk for elites on BA. ^
knit-in is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 8:30 am
  #2912  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 123
Could someone please check the availability of BA93 LHR-YYZ on Thursday 28/12?

The Flub cabin has just opened up and I’m trying to figure out when to make my move. Currently thinking of doing it when approaching T5 a couple of hours before departure.
FallOfTheWall is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 8:35 am
  #2913  
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
Originally Posted by FallOfTheWall
Could someone please check the availability of BA93 LHR-YYZ on Thursday 28/12?

The Flub cabin has just opened up and I’m trying to figure out when to make my move. Currently thinking of doing it when approaching T5 a couple of hours before departure.
It's looking pretty busy down the back. The F seats look wide open though (1 seat's been blocked, the others are all free).

Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Flight Availability Search
Departing LHR on 12/28/18 12:00 AM for YYZ
Flying BA

Flight,Stops,Depart,Arrive,Aircraft,Frequency/Reliability,Available Classes,
0 Connections
BA 93,0,"LHR
12/28/18 11:40 AM","YYZ
12/28/18 2:45 PM",777,"Daily
61% / 40m",J6 C0 D0 R0 I0 W4 E0 T0 Y1 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
absoluy is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 8:41 am
  #2914  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 123
Originally Posted by absoluy
It's looking pretty busy.



Out of curiosity - why would you wait to make a move?
Thanks very much!

I’m hesitating a bit in case they close of the F cabin later and move me to an aisle or middle seat in the CW cabin. From reading several Flub threads on here it doesn’t appear to be that unusual for it to happen.
FallOfTheWall is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 8:46 am
  #2915  
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
Originally Posted by FallOfTheWall

Thanks very much!

I’m hesitating a bit in case they close of the F cabin later and move me to an aisle or middle seat in the CW cabin. From reading several Flub threads on here it doesn’t appear to be that unusual for it to happen.
Given that it's J6/W4/Y1 I would probably risk it to get a F seat, especially if you're travelling solo.
absoluy is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 8:48 am
  #2916  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 123
Originally Posted by absoluy
Given that it's J6/W4/Y1 I would probably risk it to get a F seat, especially if you're travelling solo.
I am yes so I’ve just taken the plunge and switched to 2K. Fingers crossed!
FallOfTheWall is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 9:26 am
  #2917  
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver (for now)
Posts: 1,000
Hi

Any chance of checking BA31 27 December London - Hong Kong?

will
Will100 is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 9:28 am
  #2918  
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
Originally Posted by Will100
Hi

Any chance of checking BA31 27 December London - Hong Kong?

will
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Flight Availability Search
Departing LHR on 12/27/18 12:00 AM for HKG
Flying BA  
Direct/Non-Stop Only
Exclude Codeshares


                                                                     Frequency
Flight        Stops  Depart             Arrive             Aircraft  Reliability     Available Classes
0 Connections
BA 31         0      LHR                HKG                777       Daily           F1 A0 J3 C0 D0 R0 I0 W3 E1 T0 Y2 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 
                     12/27/18 6:25 PM   12/28/18 2:20 PM             58% / 29m

0 Connections
BA 27         0      LHR                HKG                388       Daily           F1 A0 J7 C0 D0 R0 I0 W2 E0 T0 Y3 B1 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 
                     12/27/18 9:00 PM   12/28/18 4:55 PM             61% / 21m
absoluy is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 10:15 am
  #2919  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 275
Hi, anyone can help to check the following:
02 Jan BA473 BCN - LHR
04 Jan CX254 LHR - HKG

Many thanks!
marcolau317 is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 10:20 am
  #2920  
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
Originally Posted by marcolau317
Hi, anyone can help to check the following:
02 Jan BA473 BCN - LHR
04 Jan CX254 LHR - HKG

Many thanks!
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Flight Availability Search
Departing BCN on 01/02/19 12:00 AM for LHR
Flying BA  


                                                                     Frequency
Flight        Stops  Depart             Arrive             Aircraft  Reliability     Available Classes
0 Connections
BA 473        0      BCN                LHR                32N       Daily           J9 C3 D1 R3 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K2 M0 L0 V0 N0 O0 Q0 S0 G0 
                     01/02/19 10:10 AM  01/02/19 11:35 AM            74% / 19m
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Flight Availability Search
Departing LHR on 01/04/19 12:00 AM for HKG
Flying CX  

0 Connections
CX 254        0      LHR                HKG                77W       Daily           F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 W0 R0 E0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 
                     01/04/19 10:05 PM  01/05/19 6:00 PM             65% / 20m
absoluy is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 12:55 pm
  #2921  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: London
Programs: QF Plat, NZ Silver, EY, EK, SQ & UA
Posts: 310
Please could someone check the load for:

BA28 HKG to LHR
Sunday 6th January

Thank you and appreciate it.
tm84 is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 1:01 pm
  #2922  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
Originally Posted by tm84
Please could someone check the load for:

BA28 HKG to LHR
Sunday 6th January

Thank you and appreciate it.
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Flight Availability Search
Departing HKG on 01/06/19 12:00 AM for LHR
Flying BA  


                                                                     Frequency
Flight        Stops  Depart             Arrive             Aircraft  Reliability     Available Classes

0 Connections
BA 28         0      HKG                LHR                388       Daily           F4 A4 J0 C0 D0 R0 I0 W0 E0 T0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 
                     01/06/19 11:45 PM  01/07/19 4:55 AM             81% / 14m
absoluy is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 1:13 pm
  #2923  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: London
Programs: QF Plat, NZ Silver, EY, EK, SQ & UA
Posts: 310
Originally Posted by absoluy
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Flight Availability Search
Departing HKG on 01/06/19 12:00 AM for LHR
Flying BA


Frequency
Flight Stops Depart Arrive Aircraft Reliability Available Classes

0 Connections
BA 28 0 HKG LHR 388 Daily F4 A4 J0 C0 D0 R0 I0 W0 E0 T0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0
01/06/19 11:45 PM 01/07/19 4:55 AM 81% / 14m
Thank you absoluy for checking. That looks a pretty full flight...
tm84 is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 8:58 pm
  #2924  
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
Hi. Would appreciate help with
BA242 Mex to LHR on 31 Dec.

Thanks for your help
TTmex is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2018, 10:05 pm
  #2925  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599
Originally Posted by ttmex
hi. Would appreciate help with
ba242 mex to lhr on 31 dec.

Thanks for your help
f4 a3 j9 c9 d9 r9 i0 w9 e9 t9 y5 b6h4 k1 m0 l0 v0 s0 n0 q0 o0 g5
ringingup is offline  


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