Are VA Domestic J loads light............?

[Max Samuels]

Yesterday I put in a bid for an upgrade on VA BNE-MEL for Monday night (so 4 days out). I was on the cheapest Y ticket, and put in the lowest bid possible (about $150 ish).
I just got the confirmation now that the upgrade was successful! I am obviously happy because the original ticket plus the upgrade is still under $400.... but was surprised it came through so early.... usually it is the day of - about 3 hours before. I was wondering - are loads so low that they do not think they can sell those seats in the next 72 hours???

 

[odysseus]

It's on a per flight basis. If there's still 7 or 8 seats left on that flight they often release earlier as it's not likely they'll sell all in the time frame.

If there were only 2-3 left though, they'd usually wait til same day.

That route isn't the busiest and the timing isn't the peak travel time either.

 

[Max Samuels]

EF says there are 3 seats

 

[Bolthead]

I haven't experienced that lately however I guess it is coming up to the busy time of the year for the SYD-OOL route. J was 8/8 on Wednesday 1510 flight....(in fact the flight looked choco block.

 

[Max Samuels]

That route isn't the busiest and the timing isn't the peak travel time either.

Actually I have been the only person in J a few times on the last flight from BNE-MEL on a Monday... so yeah not that busy... but my flight it at 5pm ish so I would expect a few more Mr Business type people?

 

[adamkps]

Last Thursday HBA-SYD 7 out of 8 occupied in J.

 

[Max Samuels]

8/8 J seats were occupied on my flight... but I wonder if they were all upgrades too? Anyway I am happy to have scored the upgrade for $150!

 

[Bagpuss]

8/8 J seats were occupied on my flight... but I wonder if they were all upgrades too? Anyway I am happy to have scored the upgrade for $150!

It's always a mutted point and no one, other than VA know.

It's the same with the competition too, so nothing unique if it's paid fares or upgrades etc.

Even with paid fares, corporates get special rates than the rack rate etc. You then get specials, round the world fares etc etc etc.

 

[pauly7]

I’m 100% on upgrading paying the minimum amount on VA. It’s a cheap way to fly J!

 

[BCons]

Last Thursday HBA-SYD 7 out of 8 occupied in J.

That wud be the 10 or 1030 ? Seems its quite a focus for those connecting in Syd to the mid arvo Intl departures, but many other HBA flts are pretty quiet in J which is nice - chance for a chat with crew..

 

[Fortheloveofflying]

VA have recently "relaxed" the rules for Duty Travellers and Staff Travellers to fly J class. I've noticed a lot of staff travelling in J on my recent flights.

 

[Saab34]

VA have recently "relaxed" the rules for Duty Travellers and Staff Travellers to fly J class. I've noticed a lot of staff travelling in J on my recent flights.

I noticed that the otherwise week. I had a cabin supervisor off duty next to me in the middle down the back with all the screaming babies. The onboard crew whispered in his ear to make sure he is de identified and come with me to seat 1A.

 

[daft009]

I've been using my points to get award J tickets.. Points rich but cash poor ;p

Easy to find availability. Last few flights have been full in J, was quite surprised

 

[pangwen]

I've had relatively full flights in J the last few times I've flown (award tickets) too, on both BNE-SYD, BNE-MEL and vv.

 

[Carrots]

Recent flights for me have ranged from full to Solo Steve in J. A recent day trip to Brisbane (admittedly on a Saturday) had me solo in J Adelaide to Brisbane, full J down to Sydney and then Sydney to Adelaide 7/8 (fortunate to have no seat mate). Launceston to Sydney the other day was 5/8, and then a couple of Adelaide to Sydney and Melbourne returns were all a minimum of 6/8.