Originally Posted by
Bill Bob
I have learned a lot about dishonesty since traveling by air
It’s somewhat dishonest to sell the same seat twice, I would not want to delay the flight but the airlines should adopt a fair play policy and a sensible pragmatic approach that would be in everyone’s interest
But how is it not in everyone's interest to offer a seat that was given up to someone who needs it to travel to their destination? Your friend decided not to travel and basically threw out the ticket because it is nonrefundable. I understand that you view the situation as if the seat were yours to decide what to do it (whether it flies empty or with someone in it), but if someone wanted that seat and your friend was not going to use it what's the harm in offering it to someone else? All passengers benefit from this practice with lower ticket prices.
BTW - you should find out about change fees. Your friend may be able to use some value of the ticket to travel to a different (or same) destination later.