Hacker News Reader

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.

View on HN

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.

These flights are still full though

Reply on news.ycombinator.com