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Optimal seat allocation for two-flight problems with a flexible demand segment

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  • Chen, Shaoxiang
  • Gallego, Guillermo
  • Li, Michael Z.F.
  • Lin, Bing

Abstract

In this paper, we study a two-flight model where there are two flights between two cities in a day (e.g., one departs at 9:00Â am and another at 11:00Â am) and booking requests in each fare class arrive according to a random process. There are three types of booking requests: the first and second types are respectively for the first and the second flight only; whereas the third type is flexible and willing to take either flight. Upon receiving a booking request, the airline has to decide whether to accept it, and in case a third type is accepted, which flight to accommodate it. This paper uncovers the structure of optimal booking policies through four monotone switching curves. We also present an extension of the basic model to multiple-flight case. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the derivation and the dynamics of the optimal booking policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Shaoxiang & Gallego, Guillermo & Li, Michael Z.F. & Lin, Bing, 2010. "Optimal seat allocation for two-flight problems with a flexible demand segment," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 201(3), pages 897-908, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:201:y:2010:i:3:p:897-908
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Gönsch, Jochen & Koch, Sebastian & Steinhardt, Claudius, 2014. "Revenue management with flexible products: The value of flexibility and its incorporation into DLP-based approaches," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 280-294.
    3. Michael D. Wittman & Thomas Fiig & Peter P. Belobaba, 2018. "A dynamic pricing engine for multiple substitutable flights," Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 17(6), pages 420-435, December.
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    5. Xufeng Yang & Juliang Zhang & Wen Jiao & Hong Yan, 2023. "Optimal Capacity Rationing Policy for a Container Leasing System with Multiple Kinds of Customers and Substitutable Containers," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 69(3), pages 1468-1485, March.
    6. Sebastian Koch & Jochen Gönsch & Claudius Steinhardt, 2017. "Dynamic Programming Decomposition for Choice-Based Revenue Management with Flexible Products," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 51(4), pages 1046-1062, November.
    7. David Sayah & Stefan Irnich, 2016. "Optimal Booking Control in Airline Revenue Management with Two Flights and Flexible Products," Working Papers 1604, Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
    8. Klein, Robert & Koch, Sebastian & Steinhardt, Claudius & Strauss, Arne K., 2020. "A review of revenue management: Recent generalizations and advances in industry applications," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 284(2), pages 397-412.

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