Independence Air's Accidental Free Fares
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Thursday, October 13, 2005
Independence Air kicked off a fare sale this week, with seats as low as $49.
Some travelers did even better than that.
Because of a computer glitch Monday evening, customers grabbed nearly 100 tickets to any of Independence Air's 46 destinations on its Web site for $0.
The accidental giveaway lasted only an hour before the airline's executives realized the mistake. "Nothing like this has ever happened before," said Independence spokesman Rick DeLisi.
The airline said it would honor the tickets sold.
The glitch occurred as Dulles-based Independence pricing executives were loading the fare sale.
Independence Air and its parent, Flyi Inc., have been struggling under high fuel prices and increased competition. Wall Street analysts have speculated for months that the airline may be forced to file for bankruptcy protection.
Last month, the airline announced plans to cut about 600 of its 3,400 workers. It also announced plans to eliminate longer-haul destinations including Cleveland, Louisville, Indianapolis, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle and Los Angeles.
Fast-moving travelers have swooped in on other airlines that offered inaccurate prices online. In April, US Airways -- while operating under bankruptcy protection -- set off a buying frenzy when it sold round-trip tickets for $1.86 to eight cities. Nearly 1,000 of the tickets were sold. Also that month, travelers snatched up $51 fares on Travelocity between Los Angeles and Fiji.
