Ridiculously uncompetitive airfares?
Jun 2, 2020, 4:33 pm
#106
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bend, Oregon
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 56
DEN-IAD challenges
Does anyone have any insight as to why UA flight 438... departing DEN at 11:30 a.m. and arriving IAD at 4:50 p.m... is not available to book at all in June? It's been driving me nuts; my only daytime west coast to east coast itinerary option relies on that flight, as it's the only one that allows me to leave the west coast in the morning, connect in DEN, then connect again in IAD.
UA 438 is published on the schedule every day, and it actually operates each day with plenty of passengers on board. But united.com never displays it as a booking option - in any class of service. It allows daily booking on the other two DEN-IAD flights, departing at 12:18 p.m. and 6:28 p.m., but those flights are too late in the day to allow for connections in IAD during its sole hub bank of flights (4:30-6:00 p.m.) in June. I've been checking on this nearly every day for about two weeks now... and it's always the same. No booking availability, on any day in June, for UA 438. Yet it's on the timetable throughout June - and has been operating daily. Very frustrating.
Any insight? Revenue management mistake by UA? Or is the flight literally full every day for the next 30 days? (I find that hard to believe...)
EDITED TO ADD: I finally found seats available on one day - this Thursday, June 4. But I can't see the flight being available on any other days.
UA 438 is published on the schedule every day, and it actually operates each day with plenty of passengers on board. But united.com never displays it as a booking option - in any class of service. It allows daily booking on the other two DEN-IAD flights, departing at 12:18 p.m. and 6:28 p.m., but those flights are too late in the day to allow for connections in IAD during its sole hub bank of flights (4:30-6:00 p.m.) in June. I've been checking on this nearly every day for about two weeks now... and it's always the same. No booking availability, on any day in June, for UA 438. Yet it's on the timetable throughout June - and has been operating daily. Very frustrating.
Any insight? Revenue management mistake by UA? Or is the flight literally full every day for the next 30 days? (I find that hard to believe...)
EDITED TO ADD: I finally found seats available on one day - this Thursday, June 4. But I can't see the flight being available on any other days.
Last edited by PDXalways; Jun 2, 2020 at 4:39 pm Reason: added information
Jun 2, 2020, 5:11 pm
#107
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Why is it zero'ed out? That could be numerous reasons, such UA is planning to remove it from the schedule at some point or ???? It's not a downsize situation, it is scheduled for A319. Although It could go to E75?, I guess but UX between hubs is very rare.
Jun 3, 2020, 1:19 pm
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
Most likely cause if the seatmaps also show full is that they consolidated all the pax onto that flight and it really is full. Many pax may cxl but they haven't yet.
Jun 4, 2020, 12:30 pm
#109
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,118
booked a trip next May yesterday. Usually $250 now $1000 but no change fee before 6/30 so I’ll probably be capturing the lower fare when it comes in due time. Can’t book seat assignments either. Maybe just a holding flight waiting for real bookings sufficient t to justify the operation.
Jun 4, 2020, 1:12 pm
#110
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
