how to check % sold seats
Jun 29, 2021, 8:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: CO Gold
Posts: 65
how to check % sold seats
i am planning for a long-haul flight (UA871) Saw some earlier post about the flight being quite empty that they were able to lie flat despite being in the economy class.
Was debating whether I should upgrade with points or not.
Is there anyway to check the % sold economy seats for the flight?
I looked into the advanced search, but all it showed was that most classes have 9(max) seats available.
Thanks!
Was debating whether I should upgrade with points or not.
Is there anyway to check the % sold economy seats for the flight?
I looked into the advanced search, but all it showed was that most classes have 9(max) seats available.
Thanks!
Jun 29, 2021, 8:46 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 7,044
i am planning for a long-haul flight (UA871) Saw some earlier post about the flight being quite empty that they were able to lie flat despite being in the economy class.
Was debating whether I should upgrade with points or not.
Is there anyway to check the % sold economy seats for the flight?
I looked into the advanced search, but all it showed was that most classes have 9(max) seats available.
Thanks!
Was debating whether I should upgrade with points or not.
Is there anyway to check the % sold economy seats for the flight?
I looked into the advanced search, but all it showed was that most classes have 9(max) seats available.
Thanks!
Jun 29, 2021, 9:09 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,661
i am planning for a long-haul flight (UA871) Saw some earlier post about the flight being quite empty that they were able to lie flat despite being in the economy class.
Was debating whether I should upgrade with points or not.
Is there anyway to check the % sold economy seats for the flight?
I looked into the advanced search, but all it showed was that most classes have 9(max) seats available.
Thanks!
Was debating whether I should upgrade with points or not.
Is there anyway to check the % sold economy seats for the flight?
I looked into the advanced search, but all it showed was that most classes have 9(max) seats available.
Thanks!
Jun 29, 2021, 9:14 pm
#4
Suspended
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Jun 29, 2021, 9:16 pm
#5
Moderator: United Airlines
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For multiple reasons, such as Since Basic Economy passengers don't get advance seat assignment, and especially for some flights originating from asia, advance seat selection is not the tradition.
Employees providing such insights need to tread carefully.
Employees providing such insights need to tread carefully.
Jun 29, 2021, 10:31 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: CO Gold
Posts: 65
Jun 29, 2021, 10:45 pm
#7
Moderator: United Airlines
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While you can speculate future flights will be similar to recent flights, there is nothing you can access that will give you better data for future flights.
Jun 30, 2021, 10:17 am
#8
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Jun 30, 2021, 10:27 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
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Posts: 6,447
It is a long flight. And, in my opinion, a great way to use your points. It is one thing to lie flat in an economy row across multiple seats with your thin blanket and pillow - and quite another to lie flat in a seat that is designed to turn into a bed with a much more decent pillow and blanket (and food and drinks). Just saying.
Jun 30, 2021, 11:03 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,681
You can also use Expert Mode on the UA website or use Expert Flyer to see what fare buckets UA is selling. If you are close to departure and they still have 9s on most discount fare buckets you can assume the flight will not be very full.
However, if you have the means to upgrade to J I would take it, some of the newer seats aren't super comfortable when you lay across then in economy.
However, if you have the means to upgrade to J I would take it, some of the newer seats aren't super comfortable when you lay across then in economy.
Jun 30, 2021, 6:28 pm
#11
In memoriam
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Posts: 1,732
Cant you put in some trial bookings using different number of passengers and see what the computer offers you? When you start to see the cost basis approach 200-300% of what you paid that's as far as you can go with some chance of upgrading
Jun 30, 2021, 8:19 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,661
That won't provide you with any useful information. (And you don't need to go to that much effort -- you can activate Expert Mode to see the inventory buckets on the flight with a single search). The problem is, OP would like to know if there are 200 seats available (lots of room for everybody) or 50 (scattered middle seats). 10 or more tickets constitutes a group sale; the most you could try online would be 9.
Jun 30, 2021, 9:23 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,681
The seat map helps if you are within a few days or a week of departure, if 50% of the seats are open I wouldn't expect them to all fill with BE tickets. For example on UA871 tomorrow it is 9s across the board and the seat map is close to the one that went out today with tons of seats open.
With TPE entry restrictions still in place if OP is traveling very soon they most likely would be able to find a row to stretch out (especially if they buy E+) but that is just a guess. However if OP has the means to upgrade to J and is worried about sleeping I wouldn't risk it
With TPE entry restrictions still in place if OP is traveling very soon they most likely would be able to find a row to stretch out (especially if they buy E+) but that is just a guess. However if OP has the means to upgrade to J and is worried about sleeping I wouldn't risk it
Jun 30, 2021, 10:12 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,345
A visitor from another part of the world here... just wondering about the Y seats on UA's intercontinental aircraft (I suppose the newer ones mostly) Is it still actually possible to fold the armrests ALL the way back? I ask that as I have seen newer seats on other airlines where they would only go to 45 degrees...which clearly wrecks the ability to lie down properly when one finds a whole row......
Jul 1, 2021, 3:24 am
#15
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 7,044
A visitor from another part of the world here... just wondering about the Y seats on UA's intercontinental aircraft (I suppose the newer ones mostly) Is it still actually possible to fold the armrests ALL the way back? I ask that as I have seen newer seats on other airlines where they would only go to 45 degrees...which clearly wrecks the ability to lie down properly when one finds a whole row......