End of a Headache

When U.S. airlines were young and gay, they were so anxious to attract passengers that they were politer than so many Lord Chesterfields. Even when passengers made reservations, then failed to show up at flight time, it was quite all right. These "no-shows" cost the lines an estimated $8 million a year, and were the chief reason many planes took off with half their seats empty.

This week, with CAB permission, the domestic airlines finally clamped down on no-shows. From now on, passengers who fail to cancel their reservations before flight time, unless the flight is canceled by the airline itself, will be charged 25% of the fare when they apply for a refund on the unused ticket.

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