Yep, I do mention as much in the disclaimers for the site when you put in a flight. It's true that airlines fully have the right to change the aircraft, but they also reserve the right to change basically any part of your itinerary (e.g. move you from one flight to another under unexpected circumstances/IRROPS). I figure presenting info that has a high probability of being correct is better than not presenting any info at all just because of a chance of it being incorrect under IRROPS circumstances.On the note of high probability: we do use data sources that plug into the GDS booking systems for the flights, so it's not just a historical thing for this site specifically. While that once again doesn't give us a guarantee, it's likely better than relying on previous route aircraft stats.
mike_d|1 year ago
Yes, I know exactly where you are getting the data. Your OTA API is a booking system that is intended to provide basic information to travel agents. You'll be presented with an IATA equipment code, or more likely the intermediary providing you the API is expanding it to an airframe or using ADSB data to supplement the field (as I mentioned up thread). The data field exists mostly for wake classification and general seating guidance.
You'll notice despite huge consumer demand none of the major booking sites rolled out an airframe filter. Booking Holdings put it on their metasearch site Kayak.com, but didn't deploy it on their direct sites like Booking.com and Priceline.com.
> I figure presenting info that has a high probability of being correct
The accuracy is inversely related to peoples desire for the information. When the MAX aircraft are grounded for example, you'll have massive fleet shuffles and the booking system does not get updated.
It is like advertising that you have a 100% accurate earthquake predictor (except when an earthquake happens).