Ummm, how come Orbitz shows a ton of seats on a flight when the airline shows only 6?

[redrosesix]

I've been watchin a flight from Air Canada, and unfortunately as of today there were only 6 seats left -- not sure my DD would accept that especially since it's a 4 hour direct flight. The price never got to a level I was comfortable with so I just couldn't bring myself to get in there before.

Now, of course, I have remorse since this was a perfect flight for us. And Orbitz is showing many seats (and window seats) available. How can this be? I'm assuming that since it says I can choose my seats before booking that they actually exist

And is there anything else I should know about Orbitz before I consider booking with them?

[bavaria]

AC allows you to select seats on fare class. Tango has the least choice; Latitude has the most choice.

They also recently introduced a program to permit non-elites to select premium seats at a higher cost.

[MAH4546]

Airlines do not release load data publicly. You have no way of determining the actual loads short of going into Air Canada's interneal computers. Seat maps are zero indicator of load factors.

[CarolMN]

I stopped using Orbitz a while back due to the "double dip" system it used. You put in your info, it brings back fares. After you accept, it looks to see if there are any seats actually available. Many times the fares you try to book were not really available.

I got tired of that and started using www.itasoftware.com for checking fares. Once I find a fare I like, I book it directly on the airlines own website.

Anyway - unless they've changed, you can't trust that what Orbitz says is available, really is available.

[crashbb]

I just tested out some flights.

The Orbitz map is showing seats available for those who pay Latitude fare (which is the highest level of economy) and/or those with top-tier Aeroplan status.

They are, however, blocking out the "premium" (i.e. "pay for it" seats).

These seats will not available if you book the cheapest economy fare.

[redrosesix]

Originally Posted by crashbb

I just tested out some flights.

The Orbitz map is showing seats available for those who pay Latitude fare (which is the highest level of economy) and/or those with top-tier Aeroplan status.

They are, however, blocking out the "premium" (i.e. "pay for it" seats).

These seats will not available if you book the cheapest economy fare.

I just tried it too -- gee, I hope I didn't just accidentally book that flight -- there were still an additional 20 seats showing as available on that plane.

ETA: Just checked -- It's not showing as me having any trips booked -- Phew! -- how far can you go into that before you're stuck with the flight? It just keeps saying "continue booking" -- is there some point at which it says "purchase ticket"?

[crashbb]

As long as you didn't put in your credit card information, you'll be fine.

Notice that at the seat selection stage, it says (something like) "We'll forward your request to the airline. Check your itinerary when you get it". Yup, they'll forward the request all right - and the answer will be no.

[redrosesix]

Originally Posted by crashbb

As long as you didn't put in your credit card information, you'll be fine.

Notice that at the seat selection stage, it says (something like) "We'll forward your request to the airline. Check your itinerary when you get it". Yup, they'll forward the request all right - and the answer will be no.

Gotcha -- the price is still too high anyway. I'll wait and stop worrying about this one.

[bavaria]

Repeat after us please

'The seat map is not an indicator of passenger loads. The seat map is not an indicator of passenger loads. The seat map is not an indicator of passenger loads'

Thank you.

This is especially true of airlines which assign seating based on fare paid and/or offer credit for not selecting seats. AC has this down to a fine art.

The seat map is not an indicator of passenger loads.

[redrosesix]

Originally Posted by bavaria

Repeat after us please

'The seat map is not an indicator of passenger loads. The seat map is not an indicator of passenger loads. The seat map is not an indicator of passenger loads'

Thank you.

This is especially true of airlines which assign seating based on fare paid and/or offer credit for not selecting seats. AC has this down to a fine art.

The seat map is not an indicator of passenger loads.

Ok -- I'll keep the faith. I'm holding out for a better price, and hopefully on that flight.