Airline Tickets and revenue management - ripping the passengers?

Question

Airlines are in a coster-ride as all do know. However, they are peanlizing the passengers for helping them float.

Nowadays, airlines issues tickets with firm departure and return dates. A change in these dates imposes a fee (Pounds 50/- by British Airways for example). Isn't it ripping off? I had to change a booking date twice recently, I am charged with 50 Pounds each time. OTHERWISE, YOU CANNOT TRAVEL...

Answer 1

Airlines, like all other businesses, are here to make a profit for their owners (shareholders). The must maximise their profit, otherwise, investors will move their money to other companies.
The airlines offer various fare type levels to all travellers for them to choose from. On one end, you have the most flexible fare that is fully refundable and changable, and it is the most expensive. On the other end, you have the most restrictive fare that non refundable and non changeable, and it is the cheapest. In between of these two extremes, there are airfares that have various degree of flexibility with various range of prices. Basically, in order to get a cheaper airfare, you have to sacrifice flexibility. It is like car insurance, you get cheaper insurance if you reduce your insurance amount or taking an higher excess.
It is ultimately the customer's choice which fare type you buy, British Airways didn't force you buy the cheapest ticket available. But if you do buy the cheapest, you are bounded by the Fare Conditions.

Answer 2

No it isn't. If they let you switch for free to other, let's say, more popular flights, then they can't sell the seat you took to the last minute business flyer for mucho $$$.

Sorry to say, you're obviously not the ones the airlines are making a profit on... it's the full-fare passengers. If you need the flexibility... buy the expensive ticket.

If you buy the cheap ticket with restrictions, don't whine about it.

Answer 3

You can buy a full fare, no restrictions ticket that will allow you to change your travel dates over and over and over and over to your heart's content.