Originally Posted by
flyerCO
Why would DOT or senators care? Airfare hasn't been regulated for many decades. If DL decides it's better to not drop below a certain price even if it means an empty plane they can do so. I also think most passenger would prefer a partially empty plane to a full one. However, I highly doubt DL is going to fly a plane empty, instead they'll downsize and/or reduce/eliminate service.
It's the optics of doing such a thing. Someone notices a pattern, then some news outlet picks it up, then some senator or congressman from an affected state takes notice, then it's a very public story that makes DL look bad. The federal government may not regulate airfare anymore, but the sort of thing that I've just described has happened before in situations like this.
Again, that's why I highly doubt that DL is doing what OP suggested.