DiverDave

http://www.briansumers.com/home/2016...res-one-answer

Interesting stuff here.

Way more VDBs than any other airline, and way less IDBs than their peers. Even less IDBs than Envoy, Expressjet, or Skywest.

DL accounts for 28% of the VDBs in calendar year 2015, but only 4% of IDBs.

The result is that Delta's IDB rate is 1.3% of total denied boardings (IDB + VDB). For comparison, Southwest's rate is 14%.

So on the face of things, it would seem that Delta overbooks more than the rest of the industry, but then Delta is very effective at getting passengers to accept VDBs.

Since some hearts here go all aflutter at the mention of needing volunteers, that's a good thing.

David

ScrodmanFL

I snagged back-to-back $800 VDBs last year one weekend. Ended up with a 2hr turnaround in MCO to keep my original flight back to RIC.

Monetized those and bought new carpeting.

DiverDave

^ ^ ^ Sweet.

David

appleguru

This is fascinating.

I've always wondered how IDBs actually happen... There seem to ALWAYS be volunteers. Due to my status, am kind of sad I have essentially 0 chance of ever getting one.

Have seen DL go on the plane after its boarded to find volunteers, up offers, etc.

Last flight I took a VDB on, they were over by *14*.

But the flight went out with empty seats??? First time seeing that; Pretty sure they were over on weight. Wonder if there was some heavy cargo?

Often1

IDB's are a matter of how much the brand people think IDB stats damage the brand. Beyond a few wonks who look at DOT stats, I doubt that many people care.

The reality is that an IDB is an angry customer while a VDB is a happy or at least not unhappy one.

appleguru

VDBs generally cost less to the airline too, so win/win if done right. (And DL usually does it right!)

DiverDave

Absolutely. The stats in the linked article prove it. Many VDBs (which FTers love) and very few IDBs.

David

TrojanTraveler

DL definitely appears smarter on this than the other airlines. Plus when much of the VDB compensation is in DL dollars, they are essentially paying themselves. (Putting aside the issue of marginal costs.)

tom_MN

Also I suspect, like with rebates, about half of the value of the DL vouchers issued is not redeemed.

ND76

In all the years I've been flying on Delta, I think I've run into VDB situations about 5 times. I am not based in ATL and I've run into relatively few adverse weather situations where they couldn't get me home within a few hours of my original itinerary.

I was able to get a bump out of LAS the night the NAB convention ended; as a DM I was #4 for 0 F seats LAS-ATL. That flight was oversold, and they needed 4 volunteers. I was able to get to the GA first, and she gave me not only a $600 voucher but also the last seat in F on LAS-MSP which departed 2 hours later, with a logical connection onto IAD and an upgrade on that flight also. This really was a win/win.

I used my voucher to sample PE on both VS and AF, only having to pay $694 out of my own pocket for this trip. Great!!!

plinth857

Does Delta accept/request volunteers that are ticketed in F?

TrojanTraveler

Yes. Last year I was on a D1 TATL flight and we volunteered/got VDB.

mridley2

yes absolutely. All things being equal they will accept a main cabin or first class pax no problem. Absolutely no preference to Delta.

appleguru

Had a similar experience with my last VDB. I was flying on an award ticket, in coach. Didn't make the upgrade. They gave me an $800 voucher, got me the last F seat on the next non stop flight out in the AM, and a hotel voucher for the night. There was a redeye with a stop, but I opted for sleeping in a bed. All in all, win win!

PDXPremier

Does the VDB offer usually happen at T-24 when you OLCI?