Originally Posted by
Dave Noble
Conversely what I see is that people will be more inclined to just book the cheapest flight available later that day and just turn up for an earlier flight which would have cost more to purchase
Also, why buy tickets that allow changes on day of departure if staff will just allow it for free
They fly standby...An earlier flight is usually more expensive because there are less available seats.
Any business person or someone travelling for a meeting or an event aka somewhere they have to be....wouldn't risk doing so as there is a good chance the earlier flight will sell out and they will miss it. Doubly so no FF status people as standby seats go in priority by FF status and they would frequently not get a seat. Not to mention the trade of for a standby seat on an earlier flight is usually a middle seat in back, one of the worst on the plane and separated seat for parties of two or more.