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Comment by kwhitefoot | Hacker News Reader

As far as I can tell overbooking is an almost exclusively US phenomenon. In Europe I don't know of anyone who has been 'bumped' off a flight because it was overbooked. Low cost airlines like Ryanair manage to fill flights without overbooking. There is a lot to dislike about Mr O'Leary's company but I don't think anyone worries that their ticket is not going to be honoured.

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Ryanair doesn't operate connecting flights, and they sell very few flexible or refundable tickets. These are the main opportunities for people to not make their flights, and thus for overbooking to be attractive.

A passenger not showing up is pure profit as Ryanair even gets to pocket the taxes, which are only payable on actually flying passengers (you can claim them back, but there's a substantial handling fee IIRC).

Low cost airlines like Ryanair manage to fill flights without overbooking.

Presumably the reason why US airlines overbook is to maximize yield since almost always some passengers don't show up. Any reason why non-US airlines don't do the same? I suspect it has to do with ticket regulations but would like to learn more.

These flights are still full though

European budget carriers have figured out how to lower the bar to a level unknown in the US. One carry-on, zero checked luggage allowance, pay to pre-assign a seat, pay for water on-board, pay 30 Eur if you don’t pre-print your own boarding pass at home, scan, tag and check your own luggage. Almost all tickets are 100% non-refundable - miss the flight, you’re going to pay for another ticket. Prices are low enough that people are willing to suffer through the experience, and keep the planes completely full. It’s more like a Greyhound bus in the air.

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