Air NZ makes money from empty seats

[serfty]

Passengers on partly full Air New Zealand flights to the United States can guarantee an empty seat next to them - if they're prepared to pay $75.

The airline's novel way of making money out of empty seats during the long-haul travel slump has proved popular during a month-long trial.

Source NZHEARLD

[Evan]

A good deal compared to the SQ exit row charge.
E

[drron]

But what happens to their top tier flyers?Do they lose out?
Also an interesting article further down the web page-
Air NZ number two long-haul carrier - survey - 05 Sep 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand Business, Markets, Currency and Personal Finance News

[docjames]

That's great value - I'd definately go for that - also if you're travelling as a couuple, to get a block of three seats to share between 2 of you - semi premium economy! Hope others catch on and follow - $75 on a trip AKL-LAX, SYD-LAX, AKL-HKG etc would be awesome!

[codash1099]

Could come back to bite them if they sold empty seats on what otherwise might have been a fill flight, unlikely as it is in these nervewracking times.

[serfty]

Could come back to bite them ...

It appears they are being careful:

... Passengers were offered the extra seat at check-in when flight numbers were finalised. ...

Of course, won't help should an aircraft go U/S or IRROPS otherwise occur.

[oz_mark]

Could come back to bite them if they sold empty seats on what otherwise might have been a fill flight, unlikely as it is in these nervewracking times.

If it is being done at check-in, doesn't seem much of a risk.

[JohnK]

Sounds like a good idea and I would definitely be interested if other airlines started making this offer. The only negative I can see in accepting this type of offer would be giving up a seat in a forward row and taking up a seat further back in the cabin with the seat next to you empty.