Does EY only release 2 J/F seats into the award inventory at a time?
 

Looking for preferably 4 seats in the same cabin, either F or J to travel from MEL-xAUH-LHR/BRU/FRA anywhere into Europe really. Having a rough look around on the EY guest website, I have not been able to find more than 2 seats available in either F or J. Does EY only release 2 seats a time so if I book the first two, the second two may become available?

There is no rhyme or reason of EY award availability. Some days there are 0, others there are 9 available.

Anyway, I know other airlines release 2 seats a time in their premium cabin so was simply wondering if Etihad does the same.

Zainman, someone had posted awhile back that they were able to grab 3 or 4 business seats on a single flight, so it's certainly possible.

I wouldn't book 2 hoping that 2 more come available later. Seems too risky for me. If you can swing it, I'd try and grab the 2 F and the 2 J seats on the same flight. More miles, obviously, but guaranteed you'll all be together.

Alternatively, you good book 2 J and 2 Y, and hope that 2 more J eventually open up for those you booked in Y.

Either way, good luck!

Thanks for your response Cohail,

We have managed to find 2 F and 2 J on the same flight which is not the preferred option (as more miles needed) but definitely better than 2 J and 2 Y.

Good to know that someone managed to find 3 or 4 J together on a single flight but wonder if they booked them all together or booked 2 and then 2 more opened up..?

Thanks

I've had 3F seats before now. I also remember whilst in AUH at new year almost every cabin went to 3 available on nearly every route to Europe for the year, that soon changed though and I've not seen it again. I general 2 seats are released (in my experience) and no more.

The route I got 3 on was IST, I may as we'll share that because I WON'T be going back. :)

Have booked numerous award travel in the past on Etihad and I have always found there only to be 2 seats in J and 2 or sometimes 4 in F. On occasion I've seen more seats open a few days prior to departure but of course never on the flights I need. I would not book thinking that 2 more will pop open in J. If it does, great, but again not something I would count on.

I was able to book 2 F and 3 J on the LAX-AUH flight right before Christmas. I booked it right around 330 days out. So, it is possible, although likely the exception rather than the norm.

I personally havent seen more seats open closer to the time or seen more than 4 available in J or F and have had to rely on airport upgrades a number of times when redemption seats weren't available...could this be an option? It is very unlikely that the whole Fcabin would be full I think

As I said, there is no rhyme or reason. On some dates there are 9 seats in O, some days 0. More seats may open closer to the date, but is not guaranteed.

F is indeed full on many days for SYD-AUH-SYD flights.