---
title: "What is Load factor? | Benefit Systems"
description: "Load factor is the share of available seats that have been sold, measuring how full a flight or a network is."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is Load factor?

Load factor is the share of available seats that have been sold, measuring how full a flight or a network is.

Also called: Seat occupancy.

## How it works #

A high figure explains several experiences at once: rare complimentary upgrades, thin award availability, more oversales, and painful rebooking during disruption because there is nowhere to put people. Airlines deliberately push the number up, since every empty seat is lost revenue. For travellers it is a good indicator of how much slack exists when things go wrong.

## Not to be confused with #

Load factor is not the same as availability in one fare class: a flight can be half empty overall and still closed in its cheapest class.

## In German #

The German term is Sitzladefaktor. [German version of this term](/de/glossar/sitzladefaktor)

## Related terms #

- [Revenue management](/en/glossary/revenue-management): Revenue management is the process by which an airline distributes seats across price levels in order to maximise total revenue on a flight.
- [Denied boarding](/en/glossary/denied-boarding): Denied boarding is the refusal to carry a passenger who holds a valid booking and arrived on time, typically because the flight is oversold.
- [Upgrade](/en/glossary/upgrade): An upgrade is the move into a higher cabin or room category than the one booked, paid for with miles, cash or granted as an elite benefit.

## Articles that use this term #

- [When is the best time to book a flight?](/en/knowledge/when-to-book)
- [What are you owed when you’re denied boarding?](/en/knowledge/denied-boarding)
- [How do cabin upgrades actually work?](/en/knowledge/upgrade-mechanics)
- [What can you take in your carry-on?](/en/knowledge/carry-on-rules)