Thai oversold

[nidnoyham 30]

I hear from an employee, that Thai have an oversale problem this week. People are being offered about £500 Denied Boarding Fee.

 

My mate flies tomorrow.He may take it.

Edited January 12, 2010 by nidnoyham

[agogogaran 0]

they'd need to pay me double that and a free flight on the next plane, upgraded to!!!!

 

I hear from an employee, that Thai have an oversale problem this week. People are being offered about £500 Denied Boarding Fee.

 

My mate flies tomorrow.He may take it.

[bigstuy 8]

they'd need to pay me double that and a free flight on the next plane, upgraded to!!!!

 

 

 

same same big financial inducement and flight upgrade required before i would consider it even

 

if they offered me s/t with a stewardess then i might take it,

 

a quick b/j in the first class cabin would be quite pleasant i would imagine lol

Edited January 12, 2010 by bigstuy

[torrenova 644]

Not sure how this could occur. They cannot predict no shows outside their normal yield management parameters. If they routinely oversold 5% then that would be the maximum if all 105% turned up ! They would not sell 110%, creating a problem outside their yield management parameters.

 

I suspect it has to do with weather and the potential that some planes did not take off and were / are out position. Perhaps a cancellation has forced loads onto other flights and it seems the airline's take care of passengers who have missed their connection ahead of people who are confirmed on the current flights.

 

That would lead to some people needing to be bumped, but nothing to do with Thai actually selling too many tickets.

[nidnoyham 30]

Airlines allow a 10% no-show for almost every flight. So 10% oversell is normal.

 

As an employee, I have stood by on flights that are fully booked, but still got a seat and some to spare. Even oversold flights have left with space. It is an accepted part of the industry. If it was not good practice ABTA and other travel outfits, would stop it from happening.

 

The traveling public are a fickle lot. Many buy one ticket, but register for several flights. That way, if they change their travel plans, they have a firm booking on more than one flight. This is really useful when transiting. Should your original flight be delayed, you still have a later booking on the next flight to your final destination. I have known transit passengers to have a booking for a family of five on all 5 of our Toronto flights from LHR. If they miss the 0900 one they can get any other one they like. That is 25 bookings for five people in one day. See what I mean ? You could be expecting 60 passengers to transfer from one airline and the flight arrives too late to take them. And on it goes.......

 

Sometimes there is an unscheduled equipment change, giving a flight a different configiration from the one taken bookings for. A full 747 may be swapped for a Combi.....

 

On days with two flights as Thai operate, a passenger for the late one, may ask to be travel to the early one. Or visa virsa.

 

I don't know which of these is the case this week, but an airline would not take a firm booking from another's canceled flight, if it didn't have space available. It would give the transfer passenger a Wait- listed status- standby to us.

 

If I find out the problem, I'll let you know

[CheshireTom 1,377]

If I find out the problem, I'll let you know

 

Probably find out that a A340 is replacing the 747 on some days. I noticed that the aircraft type for this week is down as "equipment varies" on the schedule, as opposed to the 747-400.

[jacko 8,814]

they'd need to pay me double that and a free flight on the next plane, upgraded to!!!!

Strange, on other threads there are people who haul themselves and golf clubs to London to save a few hundred, or suffer the humility of going via Mumbai......

Now £500 is about what these guys think is too much to pay for the ticket!

[knortyboy 155]

a quick b/j in the first class cabin would be quite pleasant i would imagine lol

 

A long b/j would be better I think.

[agogogaran 0]

Strange, on other threads there are people who haul themselves and golf clubs to London to save a few hundred, or suffer the humility of going via Mumbai......

Now £500 is about what these guys think is too much to pay for the ticket!

 

no golf clubs ere and fuck mumbai i'd rather fly aeroflot

[bigdelta 46]

Airlines allow a 10% no-show for almost every flight. So 10% oversell is normal.

 

As an employee, I have stood by on flights that are fully booked, but still got a seat and some to spare. Even oversold flights have left with space. It is an accepted part of the industry. If it was not good practice ABTA and other travel outfits, would stop it from happening.

 

The traveling public are a fickle lot. Many buy one ticket, but register for several flights. That way, if they change their travel plans, they have a firm booking on more than one flight. This is really useful when transiting. Should your original flight be delayed, you still have a later booking on the next flight to your final destination. I have known transit passengers to have a booking for a family of five on all 5 of our Toronto flights from LHR. If they miss the 0900 one they can get any other one they like. That is 25 bookings for five people in one day. See what I mean ? You could be expecting 60 passengers to transfer from one airline and the flight arrives too late to take them. And on it goes.......

 

Sometimes there is an unscheduled equipment change, giving a flight a different configiration from the one taken bookings for. A full 747 may be swapped for a Combi.....

 

On days with two flights as Thai operate, a passenger for the late one, may ask to be travel to the early one. Or visa virsa.

 

I don't know which of these is the case this week, but an airline would not take a firm booking from another's canceled flight, if it didn't have space available. It would give the transfer passenger a Wait- listed status- standby to us.

 

If I find out the problem, I'll let you know

 

10% is not standard.It varies from 5% to 40% depending on city pair.

The scenario you mention doesn't happen as often as before.Since most tickets are nonref these days,ability to "register" as you call it for several flights is not possible.Only with a full fare is it possible to register for several flights (free tickets notwithstanding)and since the late 70s,there has been a program searching for just that scenario-several bookings-which is dealt with.The program was originally started to locate double and triple bookings during holiday periods and to contact passengers and ask which flight they intend to use and other flights were cancelled.

One additional possibility for current oversold situation is a downgrade of equipment.I don't believe anyone flies a combi to BKK these days,IIRC.

[bigdelta 46]

Strange, on other threads there are people who haul themselves and golf clubs to London to save a few hundred, or suffer the humility of going via Mumbai......

Now £500 is about what these guys think is too much to pay for the ticket!

I can't fathom anyone not accepting 500 quid or dollars for a 1 day delay and being confirmed on the later flight,if even a day later.Some people have more money than sense.500 buys quite a lot these days in LOS.

[rascall 130]

Take it from me lads, £500 compensation is not a good offer. I regularly travel from London Heathrow to Glasgow with BMI and everytime pray that I will be bumped or 'VFO' - Volunteer for offloading. BMI instantly pay £300 cash for this very short flight (1hr) or as an alternative you can elect for £400 worth of BMI flight vouchers. The cash or vouchers are given at the customer services desk then and there at the airport. No forms. No delays.

 

I always go for the cash. Must have happened to me about 6 times in the last three years. They guarantee you a first class seat on the next flight, which usually is about 2 hrs behind.

 

£500 compensation for a 12 hr flight??? Not for me I'm afraid.

[nidnoyham 30]

10% is not standard.It varies from 5% to 40% depending on city pair.

The scenario you mention doesn't happen as often as before.Since most tickets are nonref these days,ability to "register" as you call it for several flights is not possible.Only with a full fare is it possible to register for several flights (free tickets notwithstanding)and since the late 70s,there has been a program searching for just that scenario-several bookings-which is dealt with.The program was originally started to locate double and triple bookings during holiday periods and to contact passengers and ask which flight they intend to use and other flights were cancelled.

One additional possibility for current oversold situation is a downgrade of equipment.I don't believe anyone flies a combi to BKK these days,IIRC.

 

 

You must be right of course.

 

What do I know ? You have statistics to work on, all I had was the real world. Like an Indian family, booking their flight with a cousin, who booked them on all 5 flights to Toronto. Or I just just made that up. It never happened. Just thought I would make a statement , so a person with more knowledge, like yourself, could shoot me down in flames.

 

Tony Blair was convinced that Iraq had WMD's too !

 

Hmm, so you think a system could sort out one family of Ali, Nguyen, Khan, or Singh.... booked on multiple flights ?

 

The passengers mentioned, would be well pissed off, if their booking had been canxld ( airline speak ) because a family of the same name had traveled on an earlier flight.

 

Ohh to live in the world of Management, away from real people- Nivana !

Edited January 13, 2010 by nidnoyham

[jacko 8,814]

10% is not standard.It varies from 5% to 40% depending on city pair.

The scenario you mention doesn't happen as often as before.Since most tickets are nonref these days,ability to "register" as you call it for several flights is not possible.Only with a full fare is it possible to register for several flights (free tickets notwithstanding)and since the late 70s,there has been a program searching for just that scenario-several bookings-which is dealt with.The program was originally started to locate double and triple bookings during holiday periods and to contact passengers and ask which flight they intend to use and other flights were cancelled.

One additional possibility for current oversold situation is a downgrade of equipment.I don't believe anyone flies a combi to BKK these days,IIRC.

KLM.....

[nidnoyham 30]

LTGTR !

 

I am sorry for the tone of my reply to your post.

 

You touched a raw nerve with me about the workings of the Airline industry.

 

I spent over 20 years being told by 'Suits' that things I saw in my role in operations were not possible.

 

I have stood next to my manager looking at a baggage tag that had on it, exactly what I told him the day before. ( a Canadian originating conx tag through LHR to GLA, that had an code share AC flight printed on, for the final leg, which should have had a BD flight on )

 

He stood there looked at it and said " This can't happen !" WTF ?

 

Worse, when he found out why it happened, I never got an apology from him

 

When I posted, I had just got back from the pub after 6 pints of ale on an empty stomach. I meant to get chips on the way home, but I had to quickly divert into the park.

 

If anyone asks " Does the baggage handler shit in the woods ? " you can answer "Yes" with confidence.

 

So unless you were/are a Air Canada/ United, or BAA transfer baggage manager for T3, we have no argument old son.

[bigdelta 46]

LTGTR !

 

I am sorry for the tone of my reply to your post.

 

You touched a raw nerve with me about the workings of the Airline industry.

 

I spent over 20 years being told by 'Suits' that things I saw in my role in operations were not possible.

 

I have stood next to my manager looking at a baggage tag that had on it, exactly what I told him the day before. ( a Canadian originating conx tag through LHR to GLA, that had an code share AC flight printed on, for the final leg, which should have had a BD flight on )

 

He stood there looked at it and said " This can't happen !" WTF ?

 

Worse, when he found out why it happened, I never got an apology from him

 

When I posted, I had just got back from the pub after 6 pints of ale on an empty stomach. I meant to get chips on the way home, but I had to quickly divert into the park.

 

If anyone asks " Does the baggage handler shit in the woods ? " you can answer "Yes" with confidence.

 

So unless you were/are a Air Canada/ United, or BAA transfer baggage manager for T3, we have no argument old son.

Not a problem....

I did 28 years at DL,not in mgmt,and 4 prior to DL w/commuters.With DL in MCO,I handled BA,VS and KL after receiving their training.I worked in 6 cities in those 28 years and at least that many TDY assignments,so it gave me some perspective.

I'm sure of one thing though,no 2 airlines are the same........

Edited January 14, 2010 by LTGTR

[dennismoore 8]

don't believe anyone flies a combi to BKK these days,IIRC.

 

In addition to Jacko's reply (KLM): EVA air too.

 

Both EVA Air and KLM fly 747 Combi's on their Amsterdam - Bangkok - Taipei route

 

EVA did fly their 777-300 on that route, but for some reason (start flying from Paris again maybe) they changed it back to their (old) 747 Combi

Edited January 20, 2010 by dennismoore

[torrenova 644]

Take it from me lads, £500 compensation is not a good offer. I regularly travel from London Heathrow to Glasgow with BMI and everytime pray that I will be bumped or 'VFO' - Volunteer for offloading. BMI instantly pay £300 cash for this very short flight (1hr) or as an alternative you can elect for £400 worth of BMI flight vouchers. The cash or vouchers are given at the customer services desk then and there at the airport. No forms. No delays.

 

I always go for the cash. Must have happened to me about 6 times in the last three years. They guarantee you a first class seat on the next flight, which usually is about 2 hrs behind.

 

£500 compensation for a 12 hr flight??? Not for me I'm afraid.

 

Isn't the EU flights thing a set amount ?

 

And for European or UK flights, there isn't any first class and often business is just a variable position curtain.

[nidnoyham 30]

In addition to Jacko's reply (KLM): EVA air too.

 

Both EVA Air and KLM fly 747 Combi's on their Amsterdam - Bangkok - Taipei route

 

EVA did fly their 777-300 on that route, but for some reason (start flying from Paris again maybe) they changed it back to their (old) 747 Combi

 

 

Chaps. I was just using a Combi as an example of equipment change. I could have said 747 to Airbus or 777. I wasn't getting all technical.

[jacko 8,814]

Chaps. I was just using a Combi as an example of equipment change. I could have said 747 to Airbus or 777. I wasn't getting all technical.

The comments were aimed at LTGTR's statement.

Edited January 24, 2010 by jacko