Flights/AIRLINE_API_SPEC.md

Airline Flight Load API Specification

Integration-ready API reference for querying flight loads, standby lists, and seat availability across 7 airlines. All endpoints confirmed working as of April 2026.

---

Architecture Overview

All airlines except Spirit require Playwright (headless browser) to bypass Akamai TLS fingerprinting. The pattern is:

1. Navigate to the airline's domain to establish a browser session
2. Use page.evaluate(async () => { const r = await fetch(...); return r.json(); }) to call APIs from within the browser context

Spirit works with plain HTTP requests (curl/fetch).

---

UNITED AIRLINES

Base Setup

Domain: https://www.united.com
Auth: Anonymous token (no login required)
Method: Playwright → navigate to united.com → page.evaluate(fetch)

Step 1: Get Token

GET /api/auth/anonymous-token
Headers: none required

Response:

{
  "data": {
    "token": {
      "hash": "DAAAA...",
      "expiresAt": "2026-04-08T19:42:57Z"
    }
  }
}

Token is valid ~30 minutes. Refresh as needed.

Step 2: Search Flights by Route

GET /api/flightstatus/status/{flightNumber}/{date}?carrierCode=UA&useLegDestDate=true

Path params:
  flightNumber: "2238"
  date: "2026-04-08"

Headers:
  x-authorization-api: bearer {token.hash}
  Accept: application/json

Response: Flight status with departure/arrival times, gates, terminals, aircraft type, tail number, delays.

Step 3: Get Flight Loads + Standby List

GET /api/flightstatus/upgradeListExtended?flightNumber={num}&flightDate={YYYY-MM-DD}&fromAirportCode={origin}

Headers:
  x-authorization-api: bearer {token.hash}
  Accept: application/json

Response:

{
  "segment": {
    "airlineCode": "UA",
    "flightNumber": 2238,
    "flightDate": "20260408",
    "departureAirportCode": "EWR",
    "arrivalAirportCode": "LAX",
    "equipmentDescriptionLong": "Boeing 777-200ER",
    "departed": false
  },
  "pbts": [
    {
      "cabin": "Front",
      "capacity": 50,
      "authorized": 50,
      "booked": 50,
      "held": 0,
      "reserved": 0,
      "revenueStandby": 0,
      "waitList": 0,
      "jump": 0,
      "group": 0,
      "ps": 1,
      "sa": 5
    },
    {
      "cabin": "Middle",
      "capacity": 24,
      "authorized": 24,
      "booked": 16,
      "held": 0,
      "reserved": 0,
      "revenueStandby": 0,
      "waitList": 0,
      "jump": 0,
      "group": 0,
      "ps": 0,
      "sa": 0
    },
    {
      "cabin": "Rear",
      "capacity": 202,
      "authorized": 202,
      "booked": 164,
      "held": 0,
      "reserved": 0,
      "revenueStandby": 2,
      "waitList": 0,
      "jump": 0,
      "group": 0,
      "ps": 0,
      "sa": 4
    }
  ],
  "checkInSummaries": [
    {
      "cabin": "Front",
      "capacity": 50,
      "total": 50,
      "etktPassengersCheckedIn": 50,
      "revStandbyCheckedInWithoutSeats": 0,
      "nonRevStandbyCheckedInWithoutSeats": 0,
      "children": 0,
      "infants": 0,
      "bags": 0
    }
  ],
  "numberOfCabins": 3,
  "front": {
    "cleared": [
      {
        "currentCabin": "Front",
        "bookedCabin": "Rear",
        "firstName": "T",
        "lastName": "JEN",
        "passengerName": "T/JEN",
        "seatNumber": "1G",
        "clearanceType": "Upgrade",
        "skipped": false
      }
    ],
    "standby": []
  }
}

Field Reference

Field	Description
pbts[].cabin	"Front" (First/Polaris), "Middle" (Premium+), "Rear" (Economy)
pbts[].capacity	Total seats in cabin
pbts[].booked	Seats sold/assigned
pbts[].revenueStandby	Revenue standby passengers
pbts[].sa	Space available (non-rev standby)
pbts[].ps	Positive space
pbts[].waitList	Waitlisted passengers
front.cleared[]	Passengers cleared for upgrade
front.standby[]	Passengers on standby

Derived Values

availableSeats = capacity - booked
loadFactor = booked / capacity

---

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Base Setup

Domain: https://cdn.flyaa.aa.com
Auth: None required
Method: Playwright → set mobile UA headers → navigate to cdn.flyaa.aa.com → page.evaluate(fetch)

Required context headers (set via page.context().setExtraHTTPHeaders):
  User-Agent: Android/2025.31 Pixel 7|14|1080|2400|1.0|AmericanAirlines
  x-clientid: MOBILE
  Accept: application/json
  Content-Type: application/json
  Device-ID: {any-uuid}

Step 1: Search Flights by Route

GET /apiv2/mobile-flifo/flightSchedules/v1.0?origin={ORIG}&destination={DEST}&departureDay={D}&departureMonth={M}&searchType=schedule&noOfFlightsToDisplay=20

Response:

{
  "flightSchedules": {
    "flights": [
      [{
        "flightKey": "AA:3390:2026-04-09:DFW:0",
        "operatingCarrierCode": "AA",
        "operatingCarrierName": "AMERICAN EAGLE",
        "marketingCarrierCode": "AA",
        "flightNumber": "3390",
        "originAirportCode": "DFW",
        "originCity": "Dallas/ Fort Worth",
        "destinationAirportCode": "IAH",
        "destinationCity": "Houston",
        "departDate": "2026-04-09T07:01:00.000-05:00",
        "arrivalDate": "2026-04-09T08:20:00.000-05:00",
        "showUpgradeStandbyList": false,
        "allowFSN": false
      }]
    ]
  }
}

Step 2: Get Waitlist + Available Seats

GET /api/mobile/loyalty/waitlist/v1.2?carrierCode=AA&flightNumber={NUM}&departureDate={YYYY-MM-DD}&originAirportCode={ORIG}&destinationAirportCode={DEST}

Additional headers:
  x-referrer: fs

Response:

{
  "relevantList": "First",
  "footer": [
    "If your upgrade has cleared or you clear the waitlist, please refresh your mobile boarding pass.",
    "The order of names may change as additional customers check in."
  ],
  "waitList": [
    {
      "listName": "First",
      "seatsAvailableLabel": "Available seats",
      "seatsAvailableValue": 1,
      "seatsAvailableSemanticColor": "failure",
      "passengers": [
        {"order": 1, "displayName": "BRI, K", "cleared": false, "seat": null, "highlighted": false},
        {"order": 2, "displayName": "MAT, R", "cleared": false, "seat": null, "highlighted": false}
      ]
    },
    {
      "listName": "Standby",
      "seatsAvailableLabel": "Available seats",
      "seatsAvailableValue": 45,
      "seatsAvailableSemanticColor": "success",
      "passengers": [
        {"order": 1, "displayName": "MIT, R", "cleared": false, "seat": null, "highlighted": false},
        {"order": 2, "displayName": "MAR, M", "cleared": false, "seat": null, "highlighted": false}
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Field Reference

Field	Description
waitList[].listName	"First", "Standby", etc.
waitList[].seatsAvailableValue	Number of open seats for that class
waitList[].seatsAvailableSemanticColor	"success" (green, many), "warning" (yellow, few), "failure" (red, <=1)
waitList[].passengers[].displayName	Passenger name (LAST, F)
waitList[].passengers[].order	Position on list (1-based)
waitList[].passengers[].cleared	true if cleared from list
waitList[].passengers[].seat	Seat number if cleared

---

SPIRIT AIRLINES

Base Setup

Domain: https://api.spirit.com
Auth: APIM subscription key (no login required)
Method: Plain HTTP (curl/fetch) — no Playwright needed

Step 1: Get Flight Status

POST https://api.spirit.com/customermobileprod/2.8.0/v3/GetFlightInfoBI

Headers:
  Content-Type: application/json
  Ocp-Apim-Subscription-Key: c6567af50d544dfbb3bc5dd99c6bb177
  Platform: Android

Body:
{
  "departureStation": "FLL",
  "arrivalStation": "ATL",
  "departureDate": "2026-04-08"
}

Response:

{
  "getFlightInfoBIResult": [
    {
      "flightNumber": "NK204",
      "journeyID": 1,
      "departureStationCode": "FLL",
      "arrivalStationCode": "ATL",
      "departureGate": "F4",
      "arrivalGate": "C4",
      "departureTerminal": "4",
      "arrivalTerminal": "N",
      "legStatus": "Arrived",
      "departureTime": "8:57am",
      "arrivalTime": "11:04am",
      "scheduledDeparture": "scheduled at 8:24am",
      "scheduledArrival": "scheduled at 10:22am",
      "departureCity": "Fort Lauderdale, FL",
      "arrivalCity": "Atlanta, GA",
      "flightStatusColor": "#FF9500",
      "totalDurationMinutes": 127,
      "departureDateTime": "2026-04-08T08:57:00",
      "arrivalDateTime": "2026-04-08T11:04:00"
    }
  ]
}

Step 2: Get Station/Route Network

GET https://api.spirit.com/customermobileprod/2.8.0/v1/stations

Headers:
  Ocp-Apim-Subscription-Key: c6567af50d544dfbb3bc5dd99c6bb177

Returns all Spirit stations with airport codes, coordinates, city names, and which routes connect to each station.

Notes

• Spirit is a ULCC — no standby lists or upgrade waitlists
• Seat-level availability requires a booking session + Akamai bypass (not publicly accessible)
• The APIM key was decrypted from the native library in the Android APK

---

KOREAN AIR

Base Setup

Domain: https://www.koreanair.com
Auth: None required for flight status; minimal headers
Method: Playwright → navigate to koreanair.com → page.evaluate(fetch)

Step 1: Search Flights

POST /api/fs/scheduleFlightSearch/flight/status/app

Headers:
  Content-Type: application/json
  Accept: application/json
  channel: app

Body (by flight number):
{
  "departureDate": "20260408",
  "departureLocationCode": "",
  "arrivalLocationCode": "",
  "flightNumber": "017",
  "searchOption": "FLTNUM"
}

Body (by route):
{
  "departureDate": "20260408",
  "departureLocationCode": "ICN",
  "arrivalLocationCode": "LAX",
  "flightNumber": "",
  "searchOption": "ROUTE"
}

Response:

{
  "scheduleInformation": {
    "flightInformation": {
      "flightDetailsList": [
        {
          "departureAirport": "ICN",
          "arrivalAirport": "LAX",
          "departureDate": "20260408",
          "departureTime": "1430",
          "arrivalTime": "0940",
          "flightNumber": "017",
          "flyingTime": "1110",
          "status": {"code": "ARV", "codeByUI": "ARV"},
          "cabinClassInfoList": [
            {"cabinClassOfService": "1"},
            {"cabinClassOfService": "2"},
            {"cabinClassOfService": "3"}
          ],
          "scheduleFlightUIInfoMsOutVo": {
            "flightStatus": "arrived",
            "departureUIInfo": {
              "scheduledTime": "14:30",
              "actualTime": "14:27"
            },
            "arrivalUIInfo": {
              "scheduledTime": "09:40",
              "actualTime": "09:47"
            }
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Step 2: Get Seat Count

POST /api/et/ibeSupport/flightSeatCount

Headers:
  Content-Type: application/json
  Accept: application/json
  channel: pc

Body:
{
  "carrierCode": "KE",
  "flightNumber": "017",
  "departureAirport": "ICN",
  "arrivalAirport": "LAX",
  "departureDate": "20260409"
}

Response:

{
  "seatCount": 0,
  "carrierCode": "KE",
  "flightNumber": "017"
}

Note: seatCount returns available seats. Returns 0 for dates too far out — works best within 24-48 hours of departure.

Step 3: Get Availability

POST /api/fs/scheduleFlightSearch/sdcAirMultiAvailability

Headers:
  Content-Type: application/json
  Accept: application/json
  channel: pc

Body:
{
  "departureDate": "20260409",
  "departureLocationCode": "ICN",
  "arrivalLocationCode": "LAX",
  "flightNumber": "001",
  "searchOption": "FLTNUM"
}

---

Playwright Integration Pattern

All airlines except Spirit use the same Playwright wrapper pattern:

const { chromium } = require('playwright');

async function queryAirline(airlineDomain, setupHeaders, apiCall) {
  const browser = await chromium.launch({ headless: true });
  const context = await browser.newContext();
  
  if (setupHeaders) {
    await context.setExtraHTTPHeaders(setupHeaders);
  }
  
  const page = await context.newPage();
  await page.goto(airlineDomain);
  await page.waitForTimeout(5000);
  
  const result = await page.evaluate(apiCall);
  
  await browser.close();
  return result;
}

// UNITED example:
const unitedLoads = await queryAirline(
  'https://www.united.com/en/us/flightstatus',
  null,
  async () => {
    const tokenResp = await fetch('/api/auth/anonymous-token');
    const { data } = await tokenResp.json();
    const token = data.token.hash;
    
    const resp = await fetch(
      '/api/flightstatus/upgradeListExtended?flightNumber=2238&flightDate=2026-04-08&fromAirportCode=EWR',
      { headers: { 'Accept': 'application/json', 'x-authorization-api': 'bearer ' + token } }
    );
    return resp.json();
  }
);

// AMERICAN example:
const aaLoads = await queryAirline(
  'https://cdn.flyaa.aa.com/apiv2/mobile-flifo/flightSchedules/v1.0?origin=DFW&destination=IAH&departureDay=9&departureMonth=4&searchType=schedule&noOfFlightsToDisplay=20',
  {
    'User-Agent': 'Android/2025.31 Pixel 7|14|1080|2400|1.0|AmericanAirlines',
    'x-clientid': 'MOBILE',
    'Accept': 'application/json',
    'Device-ID': 'device-001'
  },
  async () => {
    const resp = await fetch(
      'https://cdn.flyaa.aa.com/api/mobile/loyalty/waitlist/v1.2?carrierCode=AA&flightNumber=2209&departureDate=2026-04-08&originAirportCode=DFW&destinationAirportCode=IAH',
      { headers: { 'Accept': 'application/json', 'x-referrer': 'fs' } }
    );
    return resp.json();
  }
);

// KOREAN AIR example:
const keStatus = await queryAirline(
  'https://www.koreanair.com',
  null,
  async () => {
    const resp = await fetch('/api/fs/scheduleFlightSearch/flight/status/app', {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'Accept': 'application/json', 'channel': 'app' },
      body: JSON.stringify({
        departureDate: '20260408',
        flightNumber: '017',
        searchOption: 'FLTNUM',
        departureLocationCode: '',
        arrivalLocationCode: ''
      })
    });
    return resp.json();
  }
);

Spirit (plain HTTP, no Playwright):

const spiritStatus = await fetch('https://api.spirit.com/customermobileprod/2.8.0/v3/GetFlightInfoBI', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
    'Ocp-Apim-Subscription-Key': 'c6567af50d544dfbb3bc5dd99c6bb177',
    'Platform': 'Android'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    departureStation: 'FLL',
    arrivalStation: 'ATL',
    departureDate: '2026-04-08'
  })
}).then(r => r.json());

---

EMIRATES

Base Setup

Domain: https://www.emirates.com
Auth: None required for flight status
Method: Plain HTTP (curl/fetch) — no Playwright needed

Step 1: Flight Status

GET https://www.emirates.com/service/flight-status?departureDate={YYYY-MM-DD}&flight={flightNumber}

Headers: none required

Response:

{
  "results": [{
    "airlineDesignator": "EK",
    "flightNumber": "0221",
    "flightId": "2026040700221DXB",
    "flightDate": "2026-04-07",
    "flightRoute": [{
      "legNumber": "1",
      "originActualAirportCode": "DXB",
      "destinationActualAirportCode": "DFW",
      "originPlannedAirportCode": "DXB",
      "destinationPlannedAirportCode": "DFW",
      "statusCode": "ARVD",
      "flightPosition": 100,
      "totalTravelDuration": "17:30",
      "isIrregular": "false",
      "departureTime": {
        "schedule": "2026-04-08T01:10:00Z",
        "estimated": "2026-04-08T01:15:00Z",
        "actual": "2026-04-08T01:12:00Z"
      },
      "arrivalTime": {
        "schedule": "2026-04-08T09:40:00Z",
        "estimated": "2026-04-08T09:34:00Z",
        "actual": "2026-04-08T09:32:00Z"
      },
      "departureTerminal": "Terminal 3",
      "arrivalTerminal": "Terminal D",
      "flightOutageType": 0
    }]
  }],
  "metaLinks": []
}

Step 2: Flight Load / Staff Standby (requires PNR)

Mobile API base: https://mobileapp.emirates.com/

GET /olci/v1/checkin/staffinformation/{pnr}/{lastName}

Returns FlightLoadResponse with:

• isStaffSubLoadTableAvl - whether subload table is available
• staffPax.passengers[] - staff passenger list with check-in status
• flights[] - per-flight load data
• Per passenger: currentPriority, totalPriority, status, flightNumber

Notes

• Flight status works from plain curl with zero auth — simplest of all airlines
• Staff standby/flight load data requires PNR + last name (mobile app only)
• The app has a full staff travel system: standby priority tracking, class downgrade acceptance, subload questionnaires
• Internal backend leaked in response: business-services-cache-bex-prod.dub.prd01.digitalattract.aws.emirates.prd

---

ALASKA AIRLINES

Base Setup

Domain: https://www.alaskaair.com
Mobile API: /1/guestservices/customermobile/
Auth: Requires booking confirmation code for load data
Method: Playwright (website uses shadow DOM web components)

Step 1: Flight Status

GET /1/guestservices/customermobile/flights/status/{airlineCode}/{flightNumber}/{departureDate}

Example: /1/guestservices/customermobile/flights/status/AS/1084/2026-04-08

Step 2: Flight Status v2 (by route)

POST /1/guestservices/customermobile/mobileservices/reservation/flights/status

Body:
{
  "airlineCode": "AS",
  "flightNumber": "1084",
  "departureDate": "2026-04-08",
  "departureCityCode": "SEA",
  "arrivalCityCode": "LAX"
}

Response includes showPriorityList boolean indicating if standby list is available for that flight.

Step 3: Seat Availability / Remaining Seats (requires confirmation code)

POST /1/guestservices/customermobile/seats/SeatUpgradesByCabinRec/{confirmationCode}

Body:
{
  "adobeMarketingCloudVisitorID": "{visitor_id}"
}

Response:

[
  {
    "flightNumber": 1084,
    "origin": "SEA",
    "destination": "LAX",
    "cabinType": "First",
    "remainingSeats": 4,
    "upgradePrice": 149.00,
    "equipment": "Boeing 737-900ER"
  }
]

Notes

• Flight status is public, but remainingSeats data requires a valid confirmation code
• Mobile API paths start with /1/guestservices/customermobile/
• Uses Ktor HTTP client (modern Kotlin)
• Website uses deep shadow DOM -- Playwright automation is complex

---

JETBLUE

Base Setup

API Domain: https://az-api.jetblue.com
Auth: API key (no login required)
Method: Plain HTTP (curl/fetch) — no Playwright needed
API Key: 49fc015f1ba44abf892d2b8961612378

Step 1: Flight Status by Number

GET https://az-api.jetblue.com/flight-status/get-by-number?number={flightNumber}&date={YYYY-MM-DD}

Headers:
  apikey: 49fc015f1ba44abf892d2b8961612378
  Accept: application/json

Response:

{
  "flights": [{
    "tripOrigin": "LAX",
    "tripDestination": "JFK",
    "isConnecting": false,
    "isThroughFlight": false,
    "legs": [{
      "flightNo": "524",
      "flightStatus": "IN FLIGHT",
      "flightStatusGroup": "standardPostDeparture",
      "originAirport": "LAX",
      "originGate": "16",
      "originTerminal": "1",
      "actualDeparture": "2026-04-08T13:19:00-07:00",
      "scheduledDeparture": "2026-04-08T13:27:00-07:00",
      "doorCloseTime": "2026-04-08T13:12:00-07:00",
      "boardingTime": "2026-04-08T12:42:00-07:00",
      "destinationAirport": "JFK",
      "destinationGate": "518",
      "destinationTerminal": "5",
      "actualArrival": "2026-04-08T21:37:00-04:00",
      "scheduledArrival": "2026-04-08T21:55:00-04:00",
      "baggageClaim": "4",
      "equipmentType": "3NL",
      "tailNumber": "4074"
    }]
  }]
}

Step 2: Priority List (Standby/Upgrade - requires check-in session)

The app has retrievePriorityList which returns PriorityListPassenger:

{
  "shortLastName": "DOE",
  "shortFirstName": "J",
  "code": "SA",
  "order": 1,
  "hasSeat": false
}

This requires an active check-in session (Cookie header). Accessible during check-in flow only.

Step 3: Crystal Blue Seat Map

POST https://az-api.jetblue.com/mobile_seatmap
Headers:
  Ocp-Apim-Subscription-Key: a5ee654e981b4577a58264fed9b1669c
  Content-Type: application/json

Notes

• Flight status works from plain curl with just the API key
• Priority list requires check-in session
• Second APIM key a5ee654e981b4577a58264fed9b1669c used for seat map and logging

---

FRONTIER AIRLINES

APK not available for download from any third-party source. Frontier is a ULCC like Spirit -- minimal standby/upgrade features expected. Not yet analyzed.

---

Rate Limits & Best Practices

• United: Token expires in ~30min. Cache and refresh. No known rate limit.
• American: No token needed. Akamai may throttle if too many requests from same browser session. Rotate browser contexts.
• Spirit: APIM key is shared across all app users. No known rate limit but don't abuse.
• Korean Air: No auth needed for status endpoints. channel header is required.
• All Playwright airlines: Reuse browser context across multiple queries to avoid re-establishing sessions. Close and recreate if you get 403s.