All flights sold out - is this normal?
Dec 30, 2011 | 4:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AS, UA
Posts: 1,237
All flights sold out - is this normal?
I have a reservation for BKK-DXB-JFK in Y on 1/13, and was hoping to change it to either the 10th or 11th if possible (not a huge problem if not though).
When I went to the Emirates office, the agent there said that ALL possible BKK-DXB-JFK flights from 1/7 to 1/14 were completely full (probably the DXB-JFK sector but he didn't say), and most were oversold.
Is this normal? Of course getting high load factors is good, but I haven't heard of all flights in a whole week being sold out 1-2 weeks in advance on any other airline.
When I went to the Emirates office, the agent there said that ALL possible BKK-DXB-JFK flights from 1/7 to 1/14 were completely full (probably the DXB-JFK sector but he didn't say), and most were oversold.
Is this normal? Of course getting high load factors is good, but I haven't heard of all flights in a whole week being sold out 1-2 weeks in advance on any other airline.
Dec 30, 2011 | 5:02 am
#3
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOM
Programs: EK Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,001
Mainly the folks returning back to the US after the end of year Christmas/ New York break. Loads are heavy on DXB-JFK. I'm flying out on the 8th and wanted to pre-pone by 2 days but DXB-JFK seems sold out.
Dec 30, 2011 | 11:37 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: QR Plat | SK Diamond | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,612
JFK availability is opening up only a day or two out. Expect EK to hold back inventory for flights that are still a week or two away. They do overbook, and will probably release seats once they have a better idea of loads.
Dec 31, 2011 | 1:47 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AS, UA
Posts: 1,237
If they weren't holding back seats intentionally I'd suspect poor yield management, but I guess this way is working for them.
Dec 31, 2011 | 3:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,791
When I used to live in London, we used to have to book 6 months in advance for seats during christmas rush to/from LHR. I remember once we wanted seats but we didn't book till November and we couldn't even get seats in full Y.