Airline overbooking in the multi-class case

This paper presents an airline overbooking model at a class level for one service compartment – cabin. Class level demand data are used to determine the number of bookings that can be taken for each class. The model is optimised through the use of multi-dimensional search routines. The control level model developed is tested with data supplied by Ireland’s national airline, Aer Lingus. The model shows a significant improvement over previous methods employed by Aer Lingus and was subsequently adopted by the airline.