Last edit by: ExpertFlyer Voice
The purpose of this thread is to post questions, feedback, and report issues with ExpertFlyer. The ExpertFlyer team will respond as soon as possible from the ExpertFlyer Voice account (usually within 24 hours except on weekends).
You can also contact ExpertFlyer support at [email protected]
This is a community-maintained thread it is not supported by ExpertFlyer.
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Seat Maps: we're currently not able to show seat maps for flights departing within the next 24 hours for several airlines: DL, BA, QR , ANA, B6, & JL
Searches currently not working:
To search AA upgrades:
You can also contact ExpertFlyer support at [email protected]
This is a community-maintained thread it is not supported by ExpertFlyer.
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Seat Maps: we're currently not able to show seat maps for flights departing within the next 24 hours for several airlines: DL, BA, QR , ANA, B6, & JL
Searches currently not working:
- Upgrades - AY, BA, EK, EY, IB, QR, VS
- Awards - AY, BA, IB, EY, QR, VS
To search AA upgrades:
- Use the Award & Upgrade tool
- Only search for individual segments (set the "Connection Preference" drop-down to "Direct/Non-Stop only"). Flight results that are part of a connection won't show the upgrade version of C or A inventory because AA only files upgrade inventory as individual, not married, segments. (Married segments show revenue inventory instead of upgrade inventory.)
- To avoid confusion, check the "Exclude Codeshares" box, as AA awards and upgrades are not valid on codeshares.
- 2 minute video explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGRNFYIbHp4
ExpertFlyer Help Desk, Information and Updates Thread
#3256




Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: BA Gold Lifetime, AA 2M, Delta 2M, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Club, EK Platinum
Posts: 1,021
I do not understand how to find TK on EF. If I enter IAD-IST it does not show any TK flights yet there are two daily non-stops.
#3257




Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 330
They updated the site to reflect the problem:

I'm just scraping the AA seat map loophole now a few times a day from my server to give me my own notifications, but it's obviously not legal per TOS nor is it something as efficient as EF was. I did snag 8D and 8E for me and my dad using my own scraping notifier tho, lol:


I'm just scraping the AA seat map loophole now a few times a day from my server to give me my own notifications, but it's obviously not legal per TOS nor is it something as efficient as EF was. I did snag 8D and 8E for me and my dad using my own scraping notifier tho, lol:

Last edited by AB Dada; Oct 25, 2024 at 6:30 am
#3258




Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,715
They updated the site to reflect the problem:

I'm just scraping the AA seat map loophole now a few times a day from my server to give me my own notifications, but it's obviously not legal per TOS nor is it something as efficient as EF was. I did snag 8D and 8E for me and my dad using my own scraping notifier tho, lol:


I'm just scraping the AA seat map loophole now a few times a day from my server to give me my own notifications, but it's obviously not legal per TOS nor is it something as efficient as EF was. I did snag 8D and 8E for me and my dad using my own scraping notifier tho, lol:

#3259




Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 330
Unfortunately, no. I wish! One reason I stopped using my own scraper and just paid for EF was because of this. Seeing blocked seats is super helpful for planning for me.
Comparing the website code for 8D in January 2025 (probably blocked):

to the code for 9C same flight in January 2025 (probably NOT blocked, but selected):

I don't see any option that would unmask a blocked seat from a selected seat. Nonetheless, I've used it myself to snag a better seat when someone else upgrades, cancels, etc, so it's useful, but it's not as valuable as what EF should be doing.
FWIW I am not a computer programmer or coder, I just whipped this up years ago before I knew EF existed, and it still works today because AA isn't a company that changes anything on their website, haha.
Comparing the website code for 8D in January 2025 (probably blocked):

to the code for 9C same flight in January 2025 (probably NOT blocked, but selected):

I don't see any option that would unmask a blocked seat from a selected seat. Nonetheless, I've used it myself to snag a better seat when someone else upgrades, cancels, etc, so it's useful, but it's not as valuable as what EF should be doing.
FWIW I am not a computer programmer or coder, I just whipped this up years ago before I knew EF existed, and it still works today because AA isn't a company that changes anything on their website, haha.
#3260




Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,715
Unfortunately, no. I wish! One reason I stopped using my own scraper and just paid for EF was because of this. Seeing blocked seats is super helpful for planning for me.
Comparing the website code for 8D in January 2025 (probably blocked):

to the code for 9C same flight in January 2025 (probably NOT blocked, but selected):

I don't see any option that would unmask a blocked seat from a selected seat. Nonetheless, I've used it myself to snag a better seat when someone else upgrades, cancels, etc, so it's useful, but it's not as valuable as what EF should be doing.
FWIW I am not a computer programmer or coder, I just whipped this up years ago before I knew EF existed, and it still works today because AA isn't a company that changes anything on their website, haha.
Comparing the website code for 8D in January 2025 (probably blocked):

to the code for 9C same flight in January 2025 (probably NOT blocked, but selected):

I don't see any option that would unmask a blocked seat from a selected seat. Nonetheless, I've used it myself to snag a better seat when someone else upgrades, cancels, etc, so it's useful, but it's not as valuable as what EF should be doing.
FWIW I am not a computer programmer or coder, I just whipped this up years ago before I knew EF existed, and it still works today because AA isn't a company that changes anything on their website, haha.
. I'm currently often booking last minute intl trips, unfortunately in Y, and the blocked vs taken is super helpful to know if I have the possibility of snagging a good MCE seat. Plus with BA I can sometimes reserve seats that are blocked, but that's a whole other animal that I need EF for.
#3261




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SIN
Programs: *G, OWE
Posts: 100
I finally received an acknowledgment of my first message to the support desk:
Hi, thank you for your email.
We apologize for the delay in our response. We are aware of the recent outage affecting seat maps. Our team is actively working on resolving these issues to restore full functionality as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and will keep you updated on our progress! Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns!
Thank you,
The ExpertFlyer.com Team
Hi, thank you for your email.
We apologize for the delay in our response. We are aware of the recent outage affecting seat maps. Our team is actively working on resolving these issues to restore full functionality as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and will keep you updated on our progress! Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns!
Thank you,
The ExpertFlyer.com Team
#3262



Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SF
Programs: UA 1K/MM, AA 2MM, AS Gold, EK Gold, Bonvoy LTP, HH Dia
Posts: 1,167
I finally received an acknowledgment of my first message to the support desk:
Hi, thank you for your email.
We apologize for the delay in our response. We are aware of the recent outage affecting seat maps. Our team is actively working on resolving these issues to restore full functionality as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and will keep you updated on our progress! Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns!
Thank you,
The ExpertFlyer.com Team
Hi, thank you for your email.
We apologize for the delay in our response. We are aware of the recent outage affecting seat maps. Our team is actively working on resolving these issues to restore full functionality as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding and will keep you updated on our progress! Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns!
Thank you,
The ExpertFlyer.com Team
#3263




Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 369
I just discovered that AY award search functionality had gone the way of BAs and IBs which for me justified the cost of the subscription . I was relying on alerts i had set up that were obviously not being monitored so am doubly aggrieved: paying for something i was not getting AND failing to monitor the availability myself and possibly losing out. I wrote to them asking for a refund and got a message about them working on a fix for the seatmaps. Pathetic.
#3265




Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,597
It is great that EF has finally acknowledged the problem. Sadly, I have seen multiple instances in the past where they acknowledged a problem and claimed to be working on a fix that either took an inordinate amount of time to fix or the fix never materialized and the functionality was permanently lost. I won't be placing any big bets on them fixing this anytime soon.
#3267

Join Date: May 2018
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 1,937
#3268




Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: HA, UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,813
#3269




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,388
My assumption as well. It could be something as simple as EF no longer has access to said source data, whether through not renewing/renegotiating contract, or a CPA at Red Ventures sharpening the pencil without realizing it would damage EF functionality.
..Or something technical, like provider api authorization mechanisms, or call/return formats, were modified, and are now not being handled properly..
DISCLAIMER: Pure speculation here
..Or something technical, like provider api authorization mechanisms, or call/return formats, were modified, and are now not being handled properly..
DISCLAIMER: Pure speculation here
#3270
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .60 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 18,051
Seat Alerts and Aircraft Change Alerts are both powered by seat maps, so as long as the seat maps are broken, those alerts won't work.
On a personal note, I am truly dismayed and sorry this is happening. If standard customer care isn't replying, maybe some other people could be more responsive to your concerns.
On a personal note, I am truly dismayed and sorry this is happening. If standard customer care isn't replying, maybe some other people could be more responsive to your concerns.




