Historically, which flights have higher loads?
DTW-NRT
MSP-NRT
PDX-NRT
SFO-NRT
SEA-NRT
LAX-NRT
JFK NRT

I made a booking for mid november for an Award ticket to BKK. All of the return options were on NW28 (BKK-NRT-SFO). I am waitlisted for WBC.

We have flown from SFO, DET, MSP to NRT and the flights have been full. I would assume that MSP and DET would have higher loads, since they are hub airports. But that is just a guess...

LAX-NRT is always full.

always.

The few times I have flown to NRT, I find that MSP and DTW seem to be the fullest(front + back). Last year, on my return NRT-SFO, few empties in the back + WBC. SEA-NRT-SEA seem to have a high load also.

I would keep waitlisted for your SFO-NRT hoping it does open up. However, that is an A330-200 which has less WBC seats compared to the Boeing 747-400. I haven't had any trouble snagging WBC award seats on the DTW-NRT route if I book close to depature, most likely because there is more WBC capacity and two flights daily.

Because there are more seats on the 744 routes, I would keep checking back on a regular basis. I would also keep an eye on PDX-NRT with that being a somewhat new route, along with SEA despite both also being A330-200s.

I'm not sure where you are originating, but JFK and MSP are 744 likewise.

For BKK, you could also try Korean, but their Business Class cradle seats are not as comfortable as the WBC seats. If you must, remember you can mix carriers. Malaysia Airlines has a great product J product and new seats - for their LAX-KUL route, they go via TPE; it may be possible to take MH to TPE and then connect NW to NRT and onto BKK.

You could also try and see if Malaysian will transport you from LAX-KUL-BKK. Nice airport in KUL and great lounge. If you have the mileage to redeem for F, it is worth it on Malaysian. Just remember you can mix carriers, go one-way F, return J, etc.

Good luck!

SDF_Traveler

I usually see full, and quite often oversold, flights from MSP-JFK. This even on days where there are 2 flights.

Virtually every NW flight to Toyko departs full. Lucky for you mid-November is one of the few "slower" times of the year.

If you're looking for an upgrade to WBC, PDX/NRT is usually your best bet...

Good luck! on a recent flight NRT-SFO, there were THREE FAM's in WBC!!!!! The shame

Thanks for your detailed reply. I am originating and returning to GPT with a forced overnight layover in DCA where my wife and the kdis live. .

GPT-MEM-DCA.......overnight in DC
Next day
DCA-DTW-NRT-BKK (NW 12 and NW 27 or the internatioonal segments)

return is

BKK-NRT-SFO (NW27)
then on to MEM-GPT.

I was thinking of returning via DTW but right now I can't make it work.

SEA-NRT always seems to be oversold. I fly out on a 9am MSP or DTW flight and the board for the NRT flight (which doesn't depart until the afternoon) is already soliciting volunteers for $750 or a free ticket in the US48/Canada.

-RM

I am not looking for bumps, unless I can get to BKK about the same time as originally scheduled. I need to be in DEL for a wedding on the 18th and back in GPT for work the 20th and back to DCA on the 23rd for Thanksgiving break.

I I am about 600 muiles from Plat and I will have made it to Plat by the end of the year. So I decided to burn some miles. Award tickets to DEL (90,000 for WSTD) are extremely hard to come by. That's why I picked BKK (60/120K for WSTD/DSTD) and connect to DEL from BKK. I get to BKK at 11:30 P.M. and flight to DEL leaves at 2:40 a.m. I am stil trying to get standard award to DEL via BOM or BLR using other partners. If I get WBC on award ticket, I don't mind burning the extra miles. I leave DEL and 8:45 A.m. on the 19th arr in BKK at 2:00 P.M. I wish I was getting into BKK later as BKK-NRT departs at 6:00 a.m. on the 20th.

It's already a complicated trip and I doubt I can accomodate a bump.

Hi Yaatri,
Just an idea...Have you tried getting an Around the World ticket? Sounds like you have many stops...and could possibly use such a ticket...either by using Sky Team RTW award ticket...or BUYIBG a RTW Sky Team or Worldperks ticket...not that expensive....In Bangkok they are advertising them in the Bangkok Post ....on SkyTeam and Worldperks : Coach - about $1900.00 and Business Class about $3.200 .and lots and lots of ff miles :-)

Try this Bangkok based travel agency website for more ideas:

http://www.chawlatravel.com/ .

http://www.chawlatravel.com/airroundtheworld.htm .

TravelerJim

From what I've heard, JFK and PDX are the lowest-yield NWA transpacific flights, but of course that's over the course of a year, while from day to day it totally depends on various things.
As for a trip to DEL, how about MH? I would imagine that you could still get a seat, and by then they should have the "New" Biz and F classes on their LAX flights, as well as on the EWR flights. That's what I'd check into first! I was blown away by the MH service, food, etc last week on my flights to EZE from Asia.

I have been checking. Nothing available to Delhi so far.

Hey Rob how often do you fly out? I have the option to take this flight AND I have a spare day. Also flying full fare with upgrade to WBC so I guess my chances for a bump are good? Thanks you just helped me decide my routing as I wanted an overnight with a friend there anyway.
Cheers,
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