Sold Out but Standby Available?
Jun 3, 2022, 10:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
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Sold Out but Standby Available?
UA 962 EWR-BER June 4 is not available for sale however when clicking flight status, it is showing as available for standby in economy. How does that work? Are there seats available or not? Can a flight really be available for standby but not revenue purchase.
Jun 3, 2022, 10:17 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: HPN, LAX, HNL, or somewhere in between
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Jun 3, 2022, 10:26 am
#3
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Not sure what you mean. Flight status shows Full in both cabins.
You of course are welcome to standby for any flight, regardless of how full. You may not clear.
You of course are welcome to standby for any flight, regardless of how full. You may not clear.
Jun 3, 2022, 10:28 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Austin, TX
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In general, you would not expect to see "Available" appear on the status display for a flight that's not for sale. (That's entirely separate from whether or not you can list for standby and hope someone no-shows).
Jun 3, 2022, 10:33 am
#5
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Location: San Diego, CA
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Posts: 991
Standby seats are available (green text saying \"available") but no seats available for purchase.
Standby has seats available (green text saying "Available") but you can't purchase a ticket on the flight.
Jun 3, 2022, 11:04 am
#6
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Subspect you seeing realtime dynamics. Just checked Flight Status and both cabins are reporting full
It is not uncommon for a sold-out flight to bounce in and out of sold-out status as travel plans change
But you can standby in case space becomes available.
EF is reporting all inventory classes are zero'ed out (hence will nor be available for sale)
UPDATE
check flight stats on app and shows economy as AVAILABLE but ua.com reports FULL
It is not uncommon for a sold-out flight to bounce in and out of sold-out status as travel plans change
But you can standby in case space becomes available.
EF is reporting all inventory classes are zero'ed out (hence will nor be available for sale)
UPDATE
check flight stats on app and shows economy as AVAILABLE but ua.com reports FULL
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 3, 2022 at 11:11 am Reason: UPDATE
Jun 3, 2022, 2:10 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, DL Platinum
Posts: 597
In a couple of cases recently, I have seen the app (I think) indicate J0 Y0, but the standby tab show Y as "available." It may be that one or two seats pops open for a moment before someone grabs them, and the app isn't updating in real time.
Alternatively, it may be that United is capping inventory below the total number of seats on the plane. Could it be a weight issue, or that UA intends to fill the hold with cargo such that they can't take a full passenger load? Or maybe an inoperable seat?
Alternatively, it may be that United is capping inventory below the total number of seats on the plane. Could it be a weight issue, or that UA intends to fill the hold with cargo such that they can't take a full passenger load? Or maybe an inoperable seat?
Jun 3, 2022, 2:35 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Yes of course it can. There are no seats available now but you are welcome to stand by in case seats become available (no-shows, misconnects, people changing or cancelling flights, etc). If seats don't become available you won't get on the flight -- that's why they can't give you a confirmed seat now.