Odd EWR-Florida EUA Behavior this Sunday
 

I noticed that quite a few flights from EWR to FLL this Sunday have wide open FC cabins - including a couple 757-300s. Even PBI is showing a good amount of available seats, given so many FC seats on that route are booked at full Y.

My EUA did not run, and it does not appear anyone elses' did either - the flight I am on is totally wide open - only one seat taken. Is it possible some of these flights are being totally missed by the system and will run the day of departure or possibly cleared by the GA? It seems quite odd, because usually this flight clears for me at the Plat time window, and by Friday there are usually only 2 or 3 seats left open. I have never seen the cabin that empty a couple days before departure.

I bet they are holding them back for those folks who willing to pay for first on their way to the sunshine state for turkey day. I would guess that they would be released at the 3 hour window.

no. it's not possible. they are trying to sell them.

For the last second purchases, I say give out the upgrades and open up Y inventory.

If these procrastinating passengers only buy at the last second and probably don't fly too much, I'm of the opinion they deserve coach seating!
Reward those who are loyal and give the once-in-a-while passenger exactly what they pay for: a singular seat.

If they think they can sell 17 FC seats on this one flight, plus all the other seats on flights being held back - especially given that coach is still wide open - then I say "best of luck" :) I don't see it happening, given CO wants almost double for their FC ticket over what DL/AA/NW/US,etc. is charging for theirs.

While I agree with you as a FFer who loves his upgrades, it certainly makes more business sense to sell the seat in first at the higher price then they can get for Y. Remember, quite often when you are travelling via an international gateway such as LAX, SFO, IAH or EWR the people paying for first are often connecting from overseas on CO or a partner airline. Given the business fares over $5000 for a majority of these flights, CO is smart for holding back seats until the last day.

If there are 17 seats open, don't sweat it. As a Platinum, you should be fine.

Same thing happened last week to me. My CLE-FLL & FLL-CLE were maxed out at F9 for days. Looks like revenue mgmt is holding out on releasing seats.

EUA ran at the 3 hour mark and I got my upgrade. Planes left with empties in first.

Same here. My flight from IAH to CLE this week was showing 6 738 seats open the morning of the flight. My EUA cleared while I was inbound from LAX.

I know we ALL hate it when we have to wait one minute past our upgrade window to be confirmed into first. However, consider that CO is trying to walk a fine line between profit and providing benefits to their elite customers. If the seat can sell for despairately needed revenue why give it away for free.

I know thats got to be a tough balancing act.

<exiting playing devils advocate mode> LOL

Had a similar issue flying EWR to PBI on Monday. EUA only upgraded me on Sunday night despite there being a gaggle of seats open.

I'm having the same issue with an IAH-DCA leg for Tuesday -- didn't upgrade at either 5 days or 3 days out. I'm assuming they're holding everything in hopes of selling the seats, as the flight is currently showing A8 D4 Z2 Y[and below]0...

Does everyone really think that *more* first class seats are sold over thanksgiving weekend? I wouldn't have thought that to be true.

I was never complaining about the upgrade being missed or late, I was just commenting on something I found interesting - especially since so many flights were showing the same behavior.

As it turned out, I received the upgrade 48 hours before departure, apparently along with one other lucky contestant. I guess it was a light load of Platinums. At departure time, FC was full - however, this was one flight I almost wished I wasn't upgraded on and it was about as close as I had ever come to going back and sitting in coach for relief.

From his arrival at the boarding area, my rowmate was wheezing and breathing like he just finished the NY Marathon...this continued for the flight as the act of just reaching for the seat pocket set off another round of loud wheezing and nasal breathing. Once airborne, I was treated to repeated acts of nose blowing without tissue - the alternating thumb technique. The cherry on this sundae was the regularly scheduled release of flatulence that seemed to occur on roughly 80 second intervals.

I came close to paraphrasing that classic comedian by saying "take my EUA, please!" and bolting for the back, but Y was full. Needless to say, I spent about 20 minutes washing my hands after that flight and my laundry will be getting an extra dose of bleach tonight :( Some people might find a quick read of the "Miss Manners" handbook abit helpful before heading out to the airport next time.

More FC Sold Over Thanksgiving
 

I would have to say yes on the IAH-PDX market. I’ve been keeping a close eye on my two flights, plus the others on the same day, with AOW and FC has sold out on two of them (A=0). Also, many people are using miles this time of year so there’s a very good chance more people have put in for a mileage upgrade.

J.Edward

PS. On my return flight the inventory Saturday was A=3, D=2, Z=2 and on Sunday it went to A=3, D=2, Z=0. The first EUA window opens today (Mon) and I was wondering why the computer would drop the Z bucket (perhaps Z started to price cheaper then seats in coach?) Also, there are flights several days before hand that have open Z inventory… a thousand monkeys at a thousand typewriters…