Seat map page vs real seat availability
 

Hey all

There was a recent thread where a point was made by showing the seat map page, and of course the fact that it has nothing to do with reality was quickly made.

I thought about posting to see if anyone knew of a rule of thumb to estimate some relationship between the two, it seems that it would follow some kind of distribution. But I let it slide.

It now occurs to me that FTers are in a position to figure this out for ourselves, given the number of us who like this kind of thing.

A very simple scheme would be to count the number of seats available shown on the map at T-24 and then do a head count sometime during the flight.

Of course, the possible variables that could be tracked is extensive.

We post the data to a web site that some smart person sets up, and maybe they can make something out of it.

Mods, I know this isn't UA specific, sorry. Please move as appropriate.

Umm, just click on fare class on any available flight. The data is right there.

If you download the greasemonkey script, you won't even have to click.

Search in this forum for "expert flyer mode" and you'll find the thread.


Your idea won't account for SDC, IRROPS, pass riders, or hundreds of other scenarios.

It's not the same thing. Fare classes available overlap is the best way I can put it. In other words, seven different economy fare buckets showing 9 does not mean there are 63 economy seats available. In the extreme, it might mean there are only 9 economy seats available and they are willing to sell them for seven different combinations of prices and fare rules.

I couldn't get grease monkey to work, FWIW. Surely my problem.

Of course there are loads of variables that wouldn't be accounted for. But I'm pretty sure this data is not available anywhere, so my idea would be a step forward.

Edit:might be a step forward.