How do you find the Really Empty Flights?

[pax1a]

On occasions you get a really empty flight. Just got off a flight from HK and there were 2 of us in First. There is nothing better in the world then have a toiletax ratio of 1:1 (and a hostieax of 2:1). Even in business if you get a half full flight, you get a spare seat, lots more room and much better service, I find it makes a big difference.

I have a pretty flexible travel itinerary and if you could find out which flights are “real” empty I can mold my plans around this.

When you talk to the booking agent I gather they can see some sort of load, but they don’t seem to have the whole picture.

Any tips, or info?

Cheers
Pax1a

 

[NM]

Without a direct view into the QF reservation system there is no real way to tell. On-line tools like ExpertFlyer can give an indication, but not the full picture.

I have found the best way is to select flights on days of the week that are least attractive to business travel (i.e. mid-week). And of course things in business and first class can change at the last minute when the upgrade waitlist is processed.

I have also found that in First and Business Class cabins the left side of the aircraft tends to be fuller than the right side. It just seems to be a natural instinct to select an A side seat in preference to a K side seat. For example, on my QF29 flight MEL-LHR, all 7 seats on the left of the F cabin were taken, while only 3 on the right side were used (1K, 2K and me in 4K). Same thing for my QF30 HKG-MEL flight where it was 6 v 2 seats occupied.

 

[bammac]

With OzJet, it was really easy!

 

[Yada Yada]

With OzJet, it was really easy!

Don't remind me.

 

[cssaus]

I have also found that in First and Business Class cabins the left side of the aircraft tends to be fuller than the right side. It just seems to be a natural instinct to select an A side seat in preference to a K side seat. For example, on my QF29 flight MEL-LHR, all 7 seats on the left of the F cabin were taken, while only 3 on the right side were used (1K, 2K and me in 4K). Same thing for my QF30 HKG-MEL flight where it was 6 v 2 seats occupied.

mmmm....I wonder if this causes the pilot to have to adjust the trim

 

[NM]

mmmm....I wonder if this causes the pilot to have to adjust the trim

Nahh, I just told the CSM to ensure they left the full champagne bottle on the starboard side and the empties on the port side. It also results in shorter deliver tracks for the FAs serving my side :mrgreen:.