Why are Song seat charts empty?

[Aisling]

I've read that so many people on the Dis book their air way in advance. I usually find great deals 3 or 4 months before my trip.
Anyway, just to keep track of fares, I have been checking Song out of JKF everyday. And then I check the seat charts. I noticed that only 5 or 6 seats are booked on all the flights in and out for my dates. I would think there would be more seats booked for July 5th by now, since so many people say they book 8 months or more in advance.
I guess what I'm asking is this: are the seat charts reliable? Are there really only 5 people booked on the first flight out from JFK to MCO? And on the return flight, the plane is completely empty. Are people not booking as early as they used to?

 

[alexturner74]

The "many people" you speak of are actually a minority... You'll start to see your flights fill up late winter/early spring.

 

[Armadillo4]

I think booking a flight 8 months in advance is probably more of an exception than the rule. Except in the case of die-hard Disney fans (especially DISers!) looking to find the best deals for their Disney trips. If you can plan that far in advance, you definitely have an advantage, especially in finding good airfares. In my family, we're lucky to figure out our vacation plans with just 2 to 3 months notice. Once the New Years celebrations are over with, more people will start thinking about their summer trips and your flights will start to fill up. One popular airline, Southwest, doesn't even allow reservations that far in advance. Right now, you can only book a Southwest flight through May 2004. I guess they feel they don't need to offer ressies for beyond 5-6 months.

In my one experience flying Song, the online seat chart was pretty accurate in showing me how full my flight would be. You can probably continue to check it to see how full your flights will be. I hope you have a great trip next summer!!!

 

[alexturner74]

In my opinion, people are most likely to find cheaper fares once Southwest and Airtran start their reservations rather than 8 or 12 months in advance.

 

[n2mm]

The closest I've ever booked is 2 weeks before. I will book early if the price is good, other than that, I wait. I have flown song my last 2 trips out of Wash. DC. (Sept. and Oct). I've yet to book my flights for my trip at the end of this month. Then I have 3 more trips to book, May, July and October. When the price is right, I'll book. As for my January trip, that is always my "maybe" trip. The room is reserved and the rental car is taken care of too, just give me a good airfare, and I'll be there. I'm an exception to the rule, since we always have a trip planned right around the corner.