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Comment by frankfrankfrank | Hacker News Reader

This is not just something that this airline does. There are MANY airlines that do that, especially internationally, but also domestically in the USA. The reason you likely aren't aware is that you fly at times when the routes are popular.

In the USA there is also a totally different issue, Congressional pork barrel that, e.g., subsidizes a route or even whole airline that serves the interest of a single Congressman so he does not have to take longer routes or fly on limited schedules. There are even famous instances of whole airports being built/funded for that very reason.

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Here's an example of United running way more flights than needed because LGA and DCA are slot-controlled and relatively close to each other so running a flight between the two keeps the slots in-use: https://viewfromthewing.com/united-airlines-will-run-32-new-...

I feel like I've been living under a rock after reading this. Seems like extremely low hanging fruit for international climate change regulators to simlply add regulation to stop incentivizing harmful emissions.

I'm sure we'll make this way harder to fix than it needs to be... as we watch that asteroid demolish us.

Or just change the rules about maintaining slots? KISS

There are no "international climate change regulators" with such powers.

No. Instead I'll be hearing that I need to lower my thermostat and work on insulating my attic because the situation with climate is getting critical and everyone must do their part.

Oh, buddy, I also can't wait to receive more instructions from our heroic leaders. I love that extra spring in my step from knowing my selfless acts are _literally saving the world_. I still haven't come down from the moral high of not using plastic straws anymore.

I suppose you can also fly smaller planes?

But then they'll need pilots type certified to fly them and have to keep a load of smaller planes around just in case. Also, pilots will still need to fly the larger aircraft every now and then to keep their certification.

Curious, could you share specific examples of that pork barreling?

The federal government Essential Air Service program subsidizes airlines to continue with scheduled flights at small airports in rural areas even though there are few passengers. Most states have at least one such airport so Congress has consistently provided funding.

https://www.transportation.gov/policy/aviation-policy/small-...

https://www.enotrans.org/eno-resources/federal-government-su...

I feel mixed about this

On hand, it provides real benefits

On the other, hard not to see this most benefits the wealthy. I count myself in that benefit

> this most benefits the wealthy

If it really is to provide commercial air access to rural places, unless the "rural places" happen to be near resorts or random rural wealthy people, I'd think anyone making over ~$40k per year in that region would benefit.

The bit to feel mixed about is to what extent we should subsidize people choosing to live in rural areas.

Scandal where United ran money-losing flights to an airport near the Port Authority of NY/NJ's chairman's weekend home to curry favor, resulting in the resignation of United's CEO: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/09/business/united-ceo-port-...

Many? All of them, I'd guess. Use it, or lose it.

https://simpleflying.com/lufthansa-ghost-flights/

That sounds hard to believe because why won't a congressman just fly private jet? If this is true, then maybe Russian-style corruption among politicians isn't such a bad thing, because it results, at least in this case, in much less waste.

I have been on a plane flying coach with a senator sitting directly behind me.

Why do they do that? Just to show off to their constituents how egalitarian they are? People must be truly dumb if they buy into it.

Maybe they don't value the cost of first class. Don't attribute to malice what can be attributed to personal taste.

With how frequently they fly, I imagine that every congress critter has enough status to get free upgrades to first class

That may have been true decades ago. Now, carriers are dropping the prices of first class seats and offering cheaper paid upgrades to coach seats (to get around corporate travel rules against buying specific fare class tickets), that upgrades are harder to come by and way less guaranteed than before.

My thought is some airlines just so it automatically. Helps when your industry needs a bailout.

I think there are congressional rules about such things. I, for one, would be pretty upset at tax money being spent on congressional NetJet hours.

They don’t make enough money to fly casually business class.

To avoid negative press, but otherwise you’re correct https://govtrackinsider.com/no-congressional-first-class-fli...

Private jets are way too expensive for congressman, even with handouts from lobbyists and other shady business.

My point was that in a "normal" (from this side of the world) society, a congressman would be able to steal enough to be able to fly privately easily.

Are most congresspeople rich enough for that? Private jet flights are very expensive. Being a millionaire won't cut it.

Congressmen "only" (this is a lot for 95% of Americans) make ~$200k. They fly commercial. Except Biden. He took the train.

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