Airlines Are Backing Volantio (YC W09), a Startup That Could Fix Overbooking

Re:Airlines Are Backing Volantio (YC W09), a Startup That Co... by bogomipz on Sunday April 15, 2018 @02:20AM (#16841505)

>"Airlines would be willing to do this if all tickets were 100% non-refundable, non-exchangeable, no excuses. But, that would be a terrible experience for customers. Imagine if you missed your flight, and were informed that you had no choice but to pay for another ticket"

In the US all three big carriers - American, United and Delta all charge $200 to change non-refundable tickets.[1]. Any you pay the fare difference if any on top of that. So there's already a hedge in place.

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandratalty/2015/07/20/dont-...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Airlines Are Backing Volantio (YC W09), a Startup That Co... by URSpider94 on Sunday April 15, 2018 @02:54AM (#16841594)

Yes, but they don’t usually charge you this fee if, e.g. you miss a flight.

Additionally, that $200 fee comes nowhere near covering the lost revenue if you change flights a day in advance of departure and that seat isn’t re-sold.

I hope you can see that a last-minute change (even with a nominal fee) means the plane takes off without a paying butt in that seat.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Airlines Are Backing Volantio (YC W09), a Startup That Co... by bogomipz on Sunday April 15, 2018 @09:46AM (#16842603)

If you miss your flight due to a delay by the airline such as missed connection then you will not pay this penalty. If you miss the flight because you overslept or got stuck in traffic then yes absolutely will pay this penalty. You will have to pay this fee at the counter in order to be rebook. I also wouldn't call $200 plus any change in fare for the rebooked flight "nominal."

[ Parent | on HN ]