Flight seating question

[maxiesmom]

I'm looking at flights to Florida. Why does Delta show that I can purchase tickets for a flight when the seat map shows all of the seats are taken? Would I be taking a chance booking that flight? The other one that works only has a 38 minute layover in Atlanta, and that seems like asking to miss your connection.

 

[jec6613]

Just because no seats are available does not mean that all seats are occupied. Some seats are reserved and cannot be selected (usually some bulkheads and moveable armrests) and can only be assigned to you 24 hours before the flight, when the flight is removed from Delta's booking system and turned over to airport control.

Also, every US flight is at least slightly overbooked, because there are a certain percentage of no-shows. Being bumped for overbooking carries some pretty stiff financial penalties so it happens very rarely now, and when it does there are almost always volunteers.

All told, there may be as many as 25 tickets available to be sold still, in the coach cabin.

 

[pooch]

I booked a flight on delta several years ago for which I was unable to choose a seat. Very politely presented myself to the gate agent who was swamped. Others badgered & yelled about getting a seat. I waited quietly. I got first class!!! Dinner? Drinks? Don't mind if I do

 

[jec6613]

Oh, one other reason: some seats are reserved for frequent fliers, so unless you're in an elite tier of Delta's frequent flier program, those seats would look occupied to you, as well.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.......

Also, every US flight is at least slightly overbooked, because there are a certain percentage of no-shows. Being bumped for overbooking carries some pretty stiff financial penalties so it happens very rarely now, and when it does there are almost always volunteers.

....

JetBlue does not overbook their flights.

 

[jec6613]

JetBlue does not oversell their flights.

Technically overbook; oversell is when more people show up to take the flight than the plane has seats. JetBlue does as well, but only the coach cabin on flights with Mint, and to a very low number to match up with the predicted Mint paid occupancy going unused (I think it's 2-3 passengers, tops). JetBlue also has more tourists and leisure travelers than business travelers, who make fewer last minute flight alterations, so they have a lower percentage of no-shows.

On AA, the highest tier frequent flier can actually buy a full fare coach seat (it has a four figure price tag) in an oversold aircraft and bump somebody else. It usually only happens with major IROPS, but it's not unheard of.

 

[Gilrond]

38 minutes in Atlanta is recipe for disaster! I fly through there often and always allow 2 hours. There was ground stop due to weather last Sunday and my plane out of Chattanooga was held on the ground. I made my connection but some others had to rebook.

 

[Flight]

A 38 minute connection will work if every aspect of the flight goes perfectly. Highly likely that there will be one part of the trip that does not work just right so you will miss the connect. Don't do it.