BA191 to Austin
Jan 24, 23, 4:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11
BA191 to Austin
Im flying next Thursday to Austin, TX from LHR. Ive just checked the seatmap on ExpertFlyer and it looks super quiet. Six in Club, five in PE and 14 in Economy.
Are the maps on ExpertFlyer reliable indicators of how busy the plane is booked?
If so Im hoping theres lots of time bound cargo on board and it doesnt get cancelled.
Any insight on where the ExpertFlyer map is a true reflection?
Are the maps on ExpertFlyer reliable indicators of how busy the plane is booked?
If so Im hoping theres lots of time bound cargo on board and it doesnt get cancelled.
Any insight on where the ExpertFlyer map is a true reflection?
Jan 24, 23, 4:29 pm
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 57,573
For a long list of reasons, ExpertFlyer's seat map at this stage won't necessarily be a good guide at this point. You mentioned that you are travelling on "next Thursday". Next Thursday as in 26 January or next week Thursday 2 February? The best time to have a view as to how busy the flight will be would be around 12 hours to departure or thereafter.
Jan 24, 23, 4:31 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11
Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave
For a long list of reasons, ExpertFlyer's seat map at this stage won't necessarily be a good guide at this point. You mentioned that you are travelling on "next Thursday". Next Thursday as in 26 January or next week Thursday 2 February? The best time to have a view as to how busy the flight will be would be around 12 hours to departure or thereafter.
Jan 24, 23, 4:35 pm
#5
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 38,523
Regardless of what load you may see at this stage, its very unlikely BA will just cancel it due to a potential low load. I really wouldnt be at all concerned on that front. The only reason I would be checking the seat map at all may be for some strategic seat shifting.
Jan 24, 23, 4:38 pm
#6
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 57,573
At seven days to departure you will see Ruby status holders selecting seats. That won't be many, and mid week in February is usually a quiet time for travel anyway, but I very much doubt your service will be as empty as it is now. That said, all sales buckets are fully open at the moment. The return flight is busier in any event.
Jan 24, 23, 5:24 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: BA Bronze, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 84
I looked at the seat maps both days and I think OP is flying Thursday Feb 2nd as that is closest to the seats I see taken. All classes are open so the flight does seem quiet but agree it won't get cancelled - the return leg has to be considered also.
As mentioned looking at the assigned seats at this time isn't too useful because anyone Bronze, OW Ruby or lower would have to pay for seats at this time. I should know - I'm on the BA190 flying the other way tomorrow and waited to book seat one week out as a Bronze. Missing 420TP from a recent Cathay trip has stung since I also miss out on lounge access as I am flying W.
As mentioned looking at the assigned seats at this time isn't too useful because anyone Bronze, OW Ruby or lower would have to pay for seats at this time. I should know - I'm on the BA190 flying the other way tomorrow and waited to book seat one week out as a Bronze. Missing 420TP from a recent Cathay trip has stung since I also miss out on lounge access as I am flying W.
Jan 24, 23, 7:49 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 62
I dont understand the allure of Austin at all. I had to attend the Forrester Summit there last May and given how awful the weather was then I cant imagine what June, July, August & September are like. Its landlocked and suffers from ungodly humidity. This is the time to go and nobodys going.
Look at tomorrows VS231 LHR-AUS - WIDE OPEN.
Thursdays (Jan 26th) KL667 AMS-AUS - Even
worse than VS!
How are BA, VS, KL etc making any money flying empty planes over and slightly less empty planes back on 10-hour flights westbound and 9-hours eastbound? Do they enjoy throwing money into the fire and watching it burn?
Look at tomorrows VS231 LHR-AUS - WIDE OPEN.
Thursdays (Jan 26th) KL667 AMS-AUS - Even
worse than VS!
How are BA, VS, KL etc making any money flying empty planes over and slightly less empty planes back on 10-hour flights westbound and 9-hours eastbound? Do they enjoy throwing money into the fire and watching it burn?
Jan 24, 23, 9:26 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 217
Originally Posted by Magnum9
I dont understand the allure of Austin at all. I had to attend the Forrester Summit there last May and given how awful the weather was then I cant imagine what June, July, August & September are like. Its landlocked and suffers from ungodly humidity. This is the time to go and nobodys going.
Look at tomorrows VS231 LHR-AUS - WIDE OPEN.
Thursdays (Jan 26th) KL667 AMS-AUS - Even
worse than VS!
How are BA, VS, KL etc making any money flying empty planes over and slightly less empty planes back on 10-hour flights westbound and 9-hours eastbound? Do they enjoy throwing money into the fire and watching it burn?
Look at tomorrows VS231 LHR-AUS - WIDE OPEN.
Thursdays (Jan 26th) KL667 AMS-AUS - Even
worse than VS!
How are BA, VS, KL etc making any money flying empty planes over and slightly less empty planes back on 10-hour flights westbound and 9-hours eastbound? Do they enjoy throwing money into the fire and watching it burn?
Jan 25, 23, 12:43 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 594
BA wont cancel an individual flight because of low loads but the combined posts above probably suggest this route might not last forever. Depends how much its subsidised, though - there may be a significant contribution from local government / tourist boards etc. Hope it lasts until I fly it in May, anyway!
Jan 25, 23, 12:49 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 675
Originally Posted by Never Stansted
BA wont cancel an individual flight because of low loads but the combined posts above probably suggest this route might not last forever. Depends how much its subsidised, though - there may be a significant contribution from local government / tourist boards etc. Hope it lasts until I fly it in May, anyway!
Jan 25, 23, 12:51 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ORD / PHX
Programs: UA LT 1K 3MM (former 12 yr GS), Bonvoy Amb/LT Plat
Posts: 1,090
Originally Posted by Magnum9
I dont understand the allure of Austin at all. I had to attend the Forrester Summit there last May and given how awful the weather was then I cant imagine what June, July, August & September are like. Its landlocked and suffers from ungodly humidity. This is the time to go and nobodys going.
Look at tomorrows VS231 LHR-AUS - WIDE OPEN.
Thursdays (Jan 26th) KL667 AMS-AUS - Even
worse than VS!
How are BA, VS, KL etc making any money flying empty planes over and slightly less empty planes back on 10-hour flights westbound and 9-hours eastbound? Do they enjoy throwing money into the fire and watching it burn?
Look at tomorrows VS231 LHR-AUS - WIDE OPEN.
Thursdays (Jan 26th) KL667 AMS-AUS - Even
worse than VS!
How are BA, VS, KL etc making any money flying empty planes over and slightly less empty planes back on 10-hour flights westbound and 9-hours eastbound? Do they enjoy throwing money into the fire and watching it burn?
