Originally Posted by
ab2013
Opportunity cost... they're forgoing potentially millions of dollars* in future revenue in an attempt to boost employee morale. Sounds like they're also offering that gift to some of those who have already left the company this year too, which they really didn't have to do.
*Note: Not a hyperbole. Napkin math: assume 50K employees use it and let's say that the average round-trip ticket price cost $300 - that's already $15 million.
Absent the plane being full AND someone wanted to buy a ticket they're not missing out on any $. Again, plane takes off, crews get paid, meals get loaded, all regardless of if there's one passenger or 275.
This is unlike a company offering a free item of merchandise, say a TV. There is an actual cost, the cost of the TV. DL pays nothing here and loses nothing except in a very few rare cases.