Atl/sfo 1c seats taken for sept travel?
Jun 22, 2009, 7:10 pm
#1
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Atl/sfo 1c seats taken for sept travel?
I was looking at upgrade possibilities for an ATL/SFO flight two months out and noticed seats up front were already taken. Is this route routinely full? Or would I be better served going to OAK? Thanks.
Jun 22, 2009, 9:46 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,630
If the airlines could figure out what flights would be routinely full, they would be making money.
Jun 23, 2009, 5:52 am
#3
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Jun 23, 2009, 6:12 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
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SFO is definitely going to attract more business traffic (i.e. paid F seats and upgrades) than OAK.
Jun 23, 2009, 6:22 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2006
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I can't speak specifically on ATL-SFO, yet SFO in general appears to be a nightmare to get anything free for (unless a lucky Plat, or a high-fare Y). SFO is legendary as a nightmare on NW flights in regards to EUA, and I'm hearing that the UA forum (SFO being a UA hub?) considers this a tough market to use upgrade instruments.
Jun 23, 2009, 6:26 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: FL
Posts: 781
DeltaFirst, I've been doing the PNS-ATL-SFO trip about once a month and find the "front of the plane" always is difficult for upgrades. Doesn't really matter when you try to arrange a trip. Good luck! 
Jun 23, 2009, 6:36 am
#7
Join Date: May 2005
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Is flew ATL-SFO yesterday and got a battlefield upgrade, I was #3 of 44 for 3 seats. I sat in 1C, and I'm a plat flying on a M fare. My return is an H fare, so I don't expect much.
randidliyo
randidliyo
Jun 23, 2009, 7:24 am
#8
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Thanks for the suggestions, I may rethink this and route through OAK instead of SFO. I was avoiding OAK because of the extra segment.
Jun 23, 2009, 7:30 am
#9
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Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
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Jun 23, 2009, 11:34 am
#10
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I just checked on the seat availability for my flight departing ATL/SFO in mid Sept. Already in 1C there are 10 seats taken and 16 open. Nothing direct to OAK from ATL, stopover in SLC. So, I'll take my chances for an upgrade.
Jun 23, 2009, 12:29 pm
#11
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I do a lot of SFO-ATL connections, and it is common to have 30-40 names on the upgrade list. One option is to go through SJC, which is also a non-stop from ATL, and almost as short a drive as OAK.
Jun 23, 2009, 12:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: Marriott Titanium, , Delta 2MM & DM UA Gold
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I used to fly that route every week, and sometimes it gets to the point that they didn't even board Elites ahead of others, as more than 80% were elite.
Part of the problem is that some of the flights may be going onto Hawaii, and many people try for those upgrades. As a former Plat, that route was the most difficult to get for me. As a gold, forget about it.
Perhaps you may want to look into SJC -- There is a direct flight from Atlanta
Part of the problem is that some of the flights may be going onto Hawaii, and many people try for those upgrades. As a former Plat, that route was the most difficult to get for me. As a gold, forget about it.
Perhaps you may want to look into SJC -- There is a direct flight from Atlanta
Jun 23, 2009, 5:13 pm
#13
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I appreciate the feedback, didn't know about the Hawaii flights, that certainly explains the early fill. Thanks again.
Jun 23, 2009, 6:42 pm
#14
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If the SJC nonstop works for your schedule, its closer to OAK than SFO...
Jun 23, 2009, 8:20 pm
#15
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From my experiences (a couple of times per year) ATL-SJC is more difficult than ATL-SFO for upgrades. SJC has the silicon valley business travellers and the smaller F class of the 757. I've almost never gotten the SJC upgrade (PM) but have had some luck on the SFO, especially if you can fly on the weekend.