Sorry for cross-posting (posted also in "Other North/South America..."), but I thought I might have better luck in getting some answers to the following question.

While planning a Oneworld Explorer round the world trip in economy (LONE4), I noticed that it is impossible to find place in L fare class for March 2004 on LA 801 (SCL-AKL). Almost all other economy class show "9" on availability when looking through ITN.

I mailed LAN Chile on this question, but they couldn't provide me any answer by mail and asked to contact their office (nearest GSA in Sweden). Before calling them, I wondered if any Flyertalker has encountered the same problem and do you know if LA will release place to L class from other fare classes?

If you want to take this routing, and can't get L class, then an alternative is to fly to Easter Island and then buy a separate sector from there to AKL

You might want to check FREQUENTLY. My only experience with fickle fare codes on LA is with award seats, and for seemingly no reason, a seat will enter into said availability, then disappear a day later, etc. On flights where its been very difficult to get an F award seat, I've been the only F passenger.

Lupe, you may find it easier to get L availability by booking under the QF codeshare number (QF3220), rather than the LA number.

Thank you for the replies. I also checked availability on the QF code-share, and there L class was always showing 0.

However it seems that my plans have changed, as next month I'll have time to go to Cairo and pick a DGLOB34 ticket there.

I havn't use OWE for a while so maybe I am outdated, but I think you should be looking for "M" class since OWE economy is Mxxxxx fare basis.

M class normally is higer than L with oneworld.

It's changed so it's now in L class and a LONEXX. Sorry...

I certainly had a jolly old time trying to book this flight (and ended up giving up and am booked coming home via North America). At the time I was booking it was in the changeover from M class to L class, and there was 0 M class showing, 9 L class. So I waited the two days until the fare rules changed, rang first thing on the Monday morning, and surprise surprise, L class had suddenly been blanked out as well. For two months. Marvelous! So I wouldn't hold my breath on any availability showing up unfortunately (though had no problems on any of the other LA flights I'm on, just this one seems a tough catch in the back of the bus!).

Seems like LA is doing well with its yield management on these routes and doesn't need to free up L until right at the last moment (think standby).