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Why do airlines sell too many tickets? - Nina Klietsch

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Have you ever sat in a doctor’s office for hours, despite having an appointment? Has a hotel turned down your reservation because it’s full? Have you been bumped off a flight that you paid for? These are all symptoms of overbooking, a practice where businesses sell or book more than their capacity. So why do they do it? Nina Klietsch explains the math behind this frustrating practice.

What types of motivation, besides profit maximization, could be at play when overbooking a flight?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Nina Klietsch
  • Director Anton Trofimov
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Narrator Julianna Zarzycki

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