These tools will give a reliable indication of how full you can expect the flight to be. But remember, most airlines continue to assign seats throughout the check-in process, and seats might be shuffled by gate agents to accommodate families and other travelers who need special attention.
Use an upgrade tool like ExpertFlyer or AwardFares
Another method for checking how many seats have been booked on a plane—especially if you’re doing so in order to gauge the odds of an automatic upgrade—is to use online services like AwardFares or ExpertFlyer. Both websites help travelers track seat availability for upgrades and frequent flier award flights.
AwardFares provides a live seat map that shows travelers which seats on their flight are available, occupied, or being blocked by the airline (for elite status passengers or for other operational reasons). Users can create a free login to access the site. However, be aware that the number of passengers on your flight can still change before boarding. “A seat map is a strong indicator, but not a 100% guarantee of flight fullness,” AwardFares says. “The most accurate picture emerges within 24 hours of departure.”
Meanwhile, ExpertFlyer shows travelers which seats are occupied and which are still available on flights up to 11 months in advance across more than 100 global airlines. Paying premium users can set up to 200 simultaneous alerts to track seat availability across different routes.
Both companies offer flight availability search features, so travelers can search their specific flight or flights on their route of choice and see exactly how many seats are left in each fare class. The search features display the fare code and the number of seats left in that fare class, and travelers can view more details about each fare class by hovering over the search result.
Sneak a peek at check-in
Depending on your airline, you’re almost certainly able to get a peek at the seat map during the check-in process, which starts 24 hours before departure. This usually comes with the chance to select or purchase seats, and as such will show you how many open seats are available the day before your flight.
If the plane is looking too crowded for comfort, you’ll still have time to switch to a new flight. Many US airlines have eliminated change fees for most cabin classes, so there’s no penalty for swapping to a less full flight. (You will have to pay any difference in fare, though.)
American Airlines allows all domestic passengers to add their names to standby lists for other flights on their day of travel for free. If enough seats are available on the flight, you can change at no charge.
If you have elite status, you may have even more options. United Airlines, for instance, offers a same-day confirmation service on select flights for all passengers with elite status—that means they can make a guaranteed switch to an earlier flight in the same cabin class at no charge, without paying a difference in fare.
Contact your carrier’s customer service
When in doubt, call the carrier’s customer service line and ask an agent to check how full the flight is. It might not be the most convenient option, but it will yield an answer. If you dread the idea of waiting on hold, many airlines offer customer service chat features. Southwest Airlines, United, and Delta’s mobile apps all have live chat options, and JetBlue agents are available through Apple Business Chat. United also has a text option for customer service help. Passengers can text “UNITED” to 32050, and an airline representative will get in touch when it’s your turn in the queue—no waiting on hold required.
Other tips for avoiding crowded flights
While all of the above is certainly valuable, the best way to avoid a crowded plane is to be strategic during the booking process.