Final answer:
Airlines have benefitted by selling tickets over the internet through enhanced customer service, reaching customers directly, and eliminating the need to pay commissions to travel agents. This change is one of the many results of the Airline Deregulation Act, which has led to a more efficient and competitive market.
Step-by-step explanation:
By selling tickets over the Internet, airlines have achieved multiple benefits:
enhanced customer service by making it easy for customers to purchase and manage their bookings online; directly reached customers, cutting out the middleman and allowing airlines to offer more personalized options; and discontinued paying commissions to travel agents for domestic tickets, which reduces costs. These changes came after the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, which significantly transformed the industry, leading to increased efficiency and competition, as well as more options for consumers.
With deregulation, airlines have been able to optimize operations with things like hub-and-spoke network systems, which increased the number of accessible cities and allowed for flights with just one connection. Furthermore, more efficient flights with greater occupancy—two-thirds full compared to half full before deregulation—have led to fare reduction and the doubling of both the number of air passengers and industry jobs from the 1970s to the 2000s. The rise of telecommunications has also made it easier for airlines (and other businesses) to manage long-distance interactions, contributing to an ever-evolving and improving airline industry.