I was looking at an airlines web site when looking at economy seats and it shows the majority of seats as "occupied" with very little selection left. How accurate is this info? Should I use it as a basis to book immedaitely as it shows 90% of the seats are occupied?

I would!!

I suppose it's just possible that the people who wrote the programs were instructed to include an "increase occupancy over true occupancy by x percent" parameter to encourage buyers - but I very much doubt it.

Hi M,

The airline is showing you how many seats are left. I suggest that you take their word for it.

However, do keep in mind that if it is a popular flight they could change the equipment and increase the number of seats.

Where and when are you going?

looking at the saetmap for USAirlines PHL-FCO
Mar8-18 shows 3 seats left in economy

Hi M,

If that's the flight you want, you ought to buy it now.

I was checking also to see if they had more than one flight a day but I don't see anything else showing. So guess this is the only one

just called they do only have one flight a day that is direct so Ira you are right I need to buy now to get this

Hi miz,

Good luck.

Some airline seat maps will show flights reserved for top tier and other frequent flyers as "occupied."

Some will show seats in the so-called "premium economy" or in United's Case "economy plus" as occupied if you are not purchasing that kind of ticket.

Some will not show the seats allocated for gate agent use as occupied.

Is that flight actually close to being "sold out"...probably not but I would still move on it.

OK Went in to book and the return flight will not let me choose a seat assignment. I called and she told me that the return is "sold out" but I can go ahead with the purchase as 30% of the eeats are "held" and that my purchase guarantees me a seat I just cannot "choose it" at this time. She said that they will assign me a seat tha airport on my return in Rome and also that I can check back at anytime before I leave to see if there was acancellation seat and that will allow me to "choose thatr seat" if I want to...opinion??? I

There are ways to pull up real inventory, but most require a subscription.

A free one is seatcounter.com, though its information may not be 100% accurate or up-to-date, I've found.

But anyways, the 3/8 US1402 show at least 7 seats left in economy, available in most fare classes. That seem to indicate to me they actually have more than 7. [These inventory games are pretty complicated, and I'm no expert.]

3/18 US1403 show many cheap classes as 0. Some show 7, some show 5. but they may be business class. [I am not USAirways expert either.] So, the problem is the return. You may run out of seat, and if that's the flight and day you want, you better buy it now.

I think I've also told you a few days ago on CO, it's also your return date that's bumping up the price.

What the USAirways rep told you is correct.

OK thanks rkkwan...I just bought it
Thanks to all for your help.
From now on now that I ahve the ticket I will just be posting destination questions of what to do and see, etc.

I am not one of the airline experts here... just to get that out fo the way. But these days, I;ve been finding flights are getting pretty full as they cut back on the number of departures and as more people are able to fly. I'm not that surprised that early March is showing up as full or nearly full, based on the number of at-capacity flights I've been on in the last year or so.

If you really need to fly on that return date, I'd probably take her offer. Sometimes, depending on the airline, they will hold back seats which won't show as available online, until the flight date gets closer. Won't say all of them do it, but many hold a certain amount of inventory back for elite members, then release it closer to the date when it's not sold. I think I'd clarify if this is a standby she's offering you or if you're going to be on the plane and just can't get a seat assignment yet.

If you're not comfortable with the idea you might not make it on the plane and have to wait for another(standby) or might be split from your group and/or placed in the middle seat, etc (unassigned seats) then you may want to pick a different return, or even a different airline. It sounds like the latter if she says it will guarantee you a seat (meaning on THAT specific flight?) but being "sold out" and "we can guarantee you a seat" do seem like conflicting positions. But if they're really guaranteeing it, then it's just the possibility of bad seating positions you have to deal with.

Lots of really good info since I'd started typing. Please disregard!

seatcounter.com is something I'd never seen. Cool.

Yes, the OP has got confirmed seats. Just not assignments.

USAirways' website says online check-in is available for travel "to certain international destinations". No word about coming back, so I assume you can't do OLCI for the flight back.

To get good seats together, you just have to get to the airport early (like right at the 3-hour mark) if you can't get assigned seats before that time.

One suggestion that <i>may</i> be helpful:

You can check in online at USAir 24 hrs before departure. When in Rome, ~24 hrs before, check your email for the invitation from USAir to check in - you may be able to claim a seat.

To answer some of your postings:

I went ahead and paid for the ticket.

I will be flying alone so the group seat thing is not an issue.

Yes I definitely need to return March 18th so changing the return date was not an option. So if it is just a &quot;bad seat&quot; in the end...at least it's a seat.

She told me to check back in a week or so re &quot;choosing&quot; a return seat but that as I now I have &quot;guaranteed seat&quot; not just able to &quot;choose one&quot;.

I will continue to check with them and if I still have not been able to &quot;choose&quot; prior to leaving will see if the on-line check-in invite happens (if they even do it) before leaving Rome and see if I have the opportunity to &quot;choose&quot; then.

Don't wait for online checkin- once you reach that timeframe,you can no longer change your seat (at least, not online). Just check back periodically and see if something opens up. Finally, get to the airport early and discuss it with the agent (often, the emergency rows are not assigned until last minute).

Update: spoke to teh airlines again and they have told me I am confirmed on the return in Row 24 but not assigned the actual seat as yet. They also told me I would be able to find this out once I check-in on my way TO Rome.