Originally Posted by
xooz
A standby ticket costs them little to nothing. A confirmed ticket does in fact reduce inventory and in theory can prevent other revenue from selling that space.
However in terms of true "cost" to the company the OP comment was off. Sure they will make an accounting item for this, but it's not actual money they're spending.
It's not as if DL is flying them on a plane they wouldn't otherwise being flying. Plus there's inventory restrictions at that.