What's the algorithm for British Airways ticket pricing (how price for a flight changes with time)?

Sportacus

Was on the phone with BA booking some flights because of a complication on their website, and the agent told me there were only nine seats at the current price level for my dates, and once those had sold the price would go up (for the next nine seats I presume).  This could have been a sales tactic, although I don't think I came over as being hesitant about the purchase.

Wondering if this is really how it works, it does make sense.  Does the price ever drop if those nine seats remain unsold for x number of days?  I did monitor the price of a Norwegian Airlines long haul flight for 6 months using google flights (pre-covid), and remember for the first 4 months it would sometimes increase by about 10% for a few weeks, then drop back again for a weeks, then up again, until about the last month when it would steadily increase, eventually to about double what the lowest price had been.

Sandtree

They are not necessarily then going to be another 9 at a different price, it’s more likely more but could be less. Depends what class too given the limited number of 1st etc. 

Pricing is complex and inevitably reflects actual demand (quotes and sales), predicted demand, availability and timing. If you believe rumours etc then it can also be reflective of what they know about you, your first quote for this flight or the 3rd etc. 

in normal times patterns are probably broadly predictable bearing in mind how there are seasonal variations and even things like long term weather forecast can change things. But individual flights may see notable variation from this. 

Not in normal times at the moment and changes to Covid rules, or even predictions of changes causes wild swings. 

Personally look at reward flights more than pricing and most the year there’s been massive availability but once rumours circulated that the red list was being heavily culled options disappeared fast and prices increased